Vaccination programs are critical in protecting your pet against disease and infection. Puppies and kittens are born with immature immune systems; which makes them highly at risk for becoming sick. The milk that they receive from their mothers in the first few days of life, called colostrum, contains antibodies that help protect them from becoming ill. This maternal immunity begins to decrease by 6-8 weeks of age, which is why we start vaccinations at this time. Puppies and kittens require 3 vaccinations each 3-4 weeks apart to ensure that they are completely protected against target diseases. Adults require booster vaccines every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine.
Vaccines for puppies and dogs:
Parvovirus: a potentially fatal virus that causes bloody diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. Most often seen in puppies and transferred in feces
Distemper: a highly contagious virus that causes eye/nose discharge, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, seizures and often death Infectious Canine Hepatitis: causes liver damage, breathing and eye problems
Parainfluenza: involved in causing kennel cough, which is easily transferred by nose to nose contact, especially in kennels, groomers and puppy classes
Bordatella: causative agent of kennel cough, which causes a severe goose-honk cough and vomiting. Vaccination is required for entrance to boarding facilities.
Rabies: an incurable, fatal virus of most mammals, including humans, transferred in saliva and bite wounds. This vaccine is LEGALLY REQUIRED to travel out of the country.