The right time to start vaccines and what vaccines to give.

I have decided to post a little blurb about vaccines. First let me explain what a vaccine is. A vaccine is a modified- live virus or a killed virus that is injected into your pet under the skin. When the vaccine is injected into your pet your pets immune system will then begin to memorize what this virus looks like and then will then memorize what it is and how to effectively break it down and kill it off. Because your pet is injected with a modified-live or killed virus you pet needs to have an exam and temperature taken before receiving the vaccine. This needs to be done because if your pets immune system is compromised and then your pet is given the vaccine it could make your pet really sick OR it could kill your pet. So why is it that your pet needs to have vaccines? Puppies and Kittens acquire some immunity from their mother, but this immunity begins to fade between the time they are weaned and approximately twelve weeks of age. It is important for puppies and kittens to begin a series of vaccinations shortly after being weaned. The vaccinations need to be repeated every three to four weeks until the age of fifteen weeks in kittens and sixteen weeks in puppies. The individual components in the vaccine will vary, depending upon the potential diseases your pet may be exposed to. After completing the puppy or kitten series, the DAP (for puppies) and the FHCP (for kittens) vaccines can be good for as long as three years. However the youngster will need to have their Rabies and Bordetella/ FELV boosted after one year. I recommend that every pet receive a yearly exam until age 7 and twice a year after age 7. Now here are the vaccine series that your pet should receive as a puppy/kitten and then depending on how long the vaccine is good for every year to every three years.

Core Vaccines (DAP and Rabies):
-start at 6 to 8 weeks old with DAP
-repeat DAP every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks old or older
-give Rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age or older
-repeat DAP and Rabies vaccines one year later

Non-Core Vaccines (Leptospirosis and Bordetella)
-give Leptospirosis and/or Bordetella at 12 and 16 weeks
-Th 1st Bordetella is Intranasal, 2nd is injectable
-repeat Leptospirosis and/or Bordetella one year later

Core Vaccines: these are the vaccinations I would recommend for all dogs in my region.
Non-core Vaccines: these are the vaccinations that can be given in addition to the core vaccinations for patients "at risk".

Core Vaccines- For cats (FHCP and Rabies):
-start at 6 to 8 weeks old with FHCP
-repeat FHCP every 3 weeks until 15 weeks old or older
-give Rabies vaccine at 12 weeks or older
-give FHCP and Rabies one year later
Non-core Vaccines (FeLV):
-kittens must be at least 9 weeks old and FeLV negative to receive the vaccine
-give 2 doses of FeLV with-in a 3 week interval
-repeat FeLV one year later

Core Vaccines: these are the vaccinations I recommend for all cats in my region
Non-core Vaccines: these are the vaccinations that can be given in addition to the core vaccinations for patients "at risk".


DISCLAIMER: I am not a veterinarian and I can not diagnose or prescribe medications for your pet. If you think your pet is having a medical emergency or needs diagnosing please seek medical attention from your veterinarian immediately.