Cat & Dog Vaccinations in Cincinnati, OH
Protecting your pet from preventable animal diseases is essential to their health and the health of the general population. Though the majority of these diseases are not contagious to people, some like rabies are. Infected animals spread rabies through bites and scratches and the disease is prevalent in wildlife. Due to the threat of the rabies virus, vaccination is required by law in most states.
In general, cat and dog vaccinations control the spread of serious and contagious diseases. Furthermore, many animal-specific diseases, such as distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats, are only rare now because pet owners have been responsibly vaccinating their pets.
Stay current on disease protection and update pet vaccinations or start a vaccination schedule today. Call us at (513) 531-7117. Our Cincinnati veterinarian is eager to help.
Core Vaccines Every Cat & Dog Needs
Core cat and dog vaccinations are ones strongly recommended by the majority of veterinarians because these diseases pose the greatest risk. Keeping these core vaccines updated is the minimum amount of protection we advise for cats and dogs:
- We vaccinate both cats and dogs against rabies
- What is commonly referred to as distemper-parvo combo protects dogs against four diseases in one dose
- Cats are similarly vaccinated in one dose. Core vaccines protect them from three feline-specific diseases.
A Timeline for Your Pet's Vaccines
During the first few months of your pet's life, they should be administered their initial round of vaccines. Essentially, initial cat & dog vaccinations stimulate the immune-boosting effect. Then, boosters enhance protection and ensure that diseases are recognized and fought off if your pet is exposed. After booster schedules are completed during your pet's first year of life, vaccines are updated every one or three years.
A recommended vaccine schedule for dogs:
- Distemper-parvo combination vaccine administered at 6-8 weeks of age
- Three booster shots of distemper-parvo combo spaced 3-4 weeks apart with the final given at 16 weeks of age or after
- Revaccination of distemper-parvo after the final booster is every one to three years (dependant on exposure risk)
- Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age with a booster one year later
- Revaccination of rabies after the final booster is every one to three years (dependant on exposure risk)
- Bordetella (kennel cough) is administered annually and may be recommended if your dog boards
- Canine influenza is also administered annually and may be recommended if your dog is frequently around other dogs
- Lyme disease may be recommended for very active dogs and is administered annually after a booster is given 2-4 weeks after initial vaccination
A recommended vaccine schedule for cats:
- Feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia vaccines administered at 6-8 weeks of age
- Three booster shots of the above vaccines administered every 3-4 weeks with the final given at 16 weeks of age or after
- Rabies vaccination at 12-16 weeks of age with a booster one year later
- Revaccination of rabies every three years after the booster
- Vaccination against feline leukemia in all kittens at 8 weeks of age and a booster three to four weeks later
- Revaccination against feline leukemia depends on exposure risk and whether your cat goes outdoors
Schedule Your Pet's Cat or Dog Vaccinations at our Cincinnati, OH, Animal Hospital
Please keep in mind that the above timelines are only recommendations. Moreover, your pet's vaccination schedule will likely vary depending on their history and lifestyle. Call us at (513) 531-7117 or make an appointment with our Cincinnati, OH, veterinarian today.
