Essential Vaccination Guide: Protecting Your Dogs andCats for a Healthy Life
Feline Leukemia Pets bring
unconditional love, companionship, and joy into our lives. As responsible pet
owners, one of the most important steps we can take to safeguard their health
is ensuring they receive the right vaccinations at the right time. Vaccinations
not only protect your dogs and cats from life-threatening diseases but also
help reduce the spread of infectious illnesses within communities.
Vaccines work by stimulating your
pet’s immune system to recognize and fight off harmful pathogens before they
cause serious illness. Some diseases are fatal or have no cure, which makes
prevention through vaccination critical. Additionally, certain vaccines are
legally required, particularly rabies, as they protect both pets and humans.
Veterinary vaccines are typically
divided into two categories:
- Core Vaccines
(recommended for all dogs):
- Rabies
– Protects against a deadly virus transmissible to humans.
- Distemper
– A serious viral disease affecting respiratory, gastrointestinal, and
nervous systems.
- Parvovirus
– Causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, often fatal in puppies.
- Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis) – Protects the liver and prevents infectious
hepatitis.
- Non-Core Vaccines
(based on lifestyle and risk factors):
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Leptospirosis
- Canine Influenza
- Lyme Disease
- Core Vaccines:
- Rabies
– Legally required in many areas.
- Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper) – Highly contagious and often fatal.
- Feline Calicivirus – Causes respiratory illness and oral ulcers.
- Feline Herpesvirus (Rhinotracheitis) – Major cause of upper respiratory infections.
- Virus (FeLV) – Recommended for outdoor cats or
multi-cat households.
- Bordetella – Sometimes needed for cats in group
housing situations.
- Chlamydophila felis – For cats at higher risk of
exposure.
- Puppies and Kittens:
Typically begin vaccines at 6–8 weeks old, with boosters every 3–4
weeks until 16–20 weeks of age.
