VACCINATIONS OF DOGS AND CATS

Just like humans, dogs and cats must also be vaccinated.

There are some core vaccines which are vital to all the pets based on the risk of exposure, severity of diseases or transmissibility to humans. Also, there are some non-core vaccines which are given depending on the dog’s exposure risk. The core vaccines for dogs include DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo and parainfluenza). For cats, core vaccines include feline panleukopenia, feline calicivirus, feline rhinotracheitis (also known as feline herpesvirus), and rabies. Feline calicivirus and feline rhinotracheitis are the two viruses most commonly responsible for upper respiratory infections in cats. For dogs, a veterinarian should administer a minimum of three vaccinations at three-to-four-week intervals. The final dose should be administered at 16 weeks of age. For adult dogs: some adult dogs might receive certain vaccines annually, while other vaccines might be given every three years or longer. Most adult cats that received the full booster series of vaccines as kittens should be revaccinated every one-to-three-years based on a lifestyle risk assessment.

Vaccinations are important for pets because they can help avoid a variety of illnesses. They can also assist in the avoidance of expensive treatment for diseases that can be avoided. Vaccines protect humans and animals from diseases that can be transmitted from one to the other. Rabies and distemper, which are common in wildlife, can infect unvaccinated pets.