One of the most important advances in modern health care, vaccines play a crucial role in keeping your pet safe and healthy. A vaccine “teaches” your pet’s immune system to defend itself against contagious and deadly diseases.At Plum Street Pet Clinic, we specialize in preventive pet vaccinations, along with other preventive medical and holistic measures.
Experts generally agree on what vaccines should be considered “core,” that are to be given to every dog or cat, and what vaccines should be considered “noncore,” that are given only to certain pets. Core vaccines are recommended based on the seriousness and contagious factor of certain diseases, such as rabies and distemper.
Before vaccinating with noncore vaccines, veterinarians assess a number of things, including:
- Age
- Breed
- Health status of the animal
- Potential risk of exposure
- Type of vaccine
- How common the disease is in the geographical area
At Plum Street Pet Clinic, each pet is evaluated for appropriateness and risk before a vaccination plan is developed and implemented.
Vaccinations for Dogs
Core vaccines for dogs in most regions of the country include:
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine hepatitis virus or adenovirus
- Rabies
In some regions, vaccination against leptospirosis is considered a core vaccine, as well. Noncore vaccines for dogs include bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, and canine influenza.
Vaccinations for Cats
Core vaccines for cats include:
- Feline panleukopenia (distemper)
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis
- Feline calicivirus
- Rabies
Non-core vaccines for cats may include feline leukemia (FeLV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), ringworm, and chlamydia.
