Puppies and kittens get important antibodies from their mothers while nursing. But once they are weaned, they start to lose these antibodies and become more vulnerable to infection. At Kenosha Animal Hospital, we recommend starting cat or dog vaccinations as early as 6-8 weeks old, if possible. Starting your pet’s vaccines early gives them time to build up their disease immunity and maintain a stronger defense as they grow up. Plus, it gives them the protection they sorely need in their first year of life.
Make sure your pet gets the best start.
Call (262) 658-3533 today or request an appointment online!
Can Vaccines be Dangerous for My Pet?
The cat and dog vaccines we use at our hospital are some of the finest and safest available. What’s more, our veterinarians are well aware of the risks that can come with giving a pet more vaccinations than they need. To lessen any vaccine risks as much as possible, we space out our booster shots and recommend certain vaccines based on the degree of risk. For example, if your pet’s risk of contracting kennel cough is low, we will not offer them the kennel cough (Bordetella) vaccine.
Most dogs and cats do not experience any adverse effects from their vaccines. Usually, you can expect no more than minor drowsiness in your pet, and possible soreness at the injection site. If an allergic reaction does occur, however, we will remove that vaccine from your pet’s schedule.
Core (Essential) and Non-Core (Optional)
Cat and Dog Vaccines
Your pet’s vaccination program is tailored to fit their needs. This ensures that they have the fullest protection possible, with little to no risk of being over-vaccinated. The cat and dog vaccines we carry at our hospital fall into two categories; core and non-core.
Core vaccines usually include:
- Rabies (for dogs and cats)
- DHPP (for dogs)
- FVRCP (for cats)
Our core vaccines offer necessary protection against highly fatal diseases and can keep them from spreading from pet to pet.
Non-core vaccines are given to pets that are more at risk for certain illnesses than others. These vaccines include:
- Kennel cough/Bordetella (for dogs)
- Feline leukemia (for cats)
- Lyme (for dogs)
- Leptospirosis (for dogs)
To find out which vaccines your pet will need to stay healthy, call (262) 658-3533!