Vaccinations for Puppies and Dogs
Our veterinary team tailors your kitten and cat’s vaccine protocol to their needs. Depending on their age, lifestyle and environment, we’ll recommend specific vaccines to support their health. As part of our commitment to preventive healthcare, we believe vaccinations help protect your pet against harmful diseases which might be fatal.
When should my puppy start getting vaccinated?
We recommend your pet receive a series of three vaccinations, starting when they’re 8-weeks-old, until they reach 16-weeks-old. During your pet’s appointment, we’ll discuss which risk factors might influence the core (essential) and non-core (optional) vaccines your pet might receive. For example, non-core vaccines such as the Lyme disease and leptospirosis vaccines might be recommended, based on the likelihood of your pup contracting them. Anticipated travel plans as well as your puppy’s lifestyle will also play a factor in the vaccines they receive.
Which vaccinations do they need?
We recommend the following vaccinations for puppies:
Do you recommend the same ones for adult dogs?
We might recommend booster shots of these vaccinations, depending on the suggested times between doses, which could be 1-2 years. Some vaccinations might provide full protection against diseases while others might reduce the symptoms your pet experiences if they contract the virus. For example, after getting a vaccine, your pet’s body will develop antibodies to fight against a disease once it comes in contact with them. This means with the help of the vaccine, they might have full immunity against the disease or only develop mild and manageable symptoms associated with the disease. If you’re interested in developing your pet’s vaccine protocol or they’re due for their booster shots, please contact us at 902.865.6400.
What other vaccine services do you offer?
Many consequences can arise from over vaccinating your pet. We have incorporated titer testing into our practice to help ensure your dog does not receive an over vaccination. Now, with VacciCheck® Antibody Test, we can measure three canine antibody titers (the concentration of virus tested by titration) for: Infectious Hepatitis (ICH), Parvovirus (CPV) and Distemper (CDV). With this test, we can make sure that your dog is receiving the appropriate amount of vaccination. The test provides a reliable and accurate result within 21 minutes, rather than having to send bloodwork to a laboratory. With these results, we can modify your dog’s vaccine program and make sure your dog is vaccinated appropriately and not excessively.