Vaccinations

I found that vaccinations is one of the harder things to remember. There are different ones that are to be given at different times. Some are 3 year and some are 1 year. Here are the different types of vaccinations:

In Indiana there are 3 core vaccinations that dogs must get which are Rabies, Parvovirus (canine), and Distemper. There are 2 optional ones that my veterinary office recommends, Bordetella and Leptospirosis. For cats there are 2 core vaccinations, rabies and distemper. If the cat is an outside cat, we recommend getting the Feline Leukemia and chlamydia.

Rabies is a viral disease that can effect the brain and nervous system and is deadly. It is spread through a bite of an infected animal or if it is in contact with cuts. If a pet is vaccinated against rabies it is unlikely that they will contract the disease.

Parvovirus (Canine) is a deadly virus that attacks the intestinal tract of dogs and rarely cats. The virus can survive heat and subzero temperatures for long periods. Dogs can attract this by exposure to infected dog feces or where the feces has been in contact. People can also pick up the virus on their shoes or clothing.

Distemper is viral disease much like measles that can be picked up from bodily fluids, including nose discharge, and spread through infected food and water. It effects the respiratory and nervous systems. Puppies are greatly effected by this since their immune systems aren't fully developed.

Bordetella is bacterial respiratory infection most commonly know as kennel cough. It is spread from dog to dog by sneezing or coughing. If you are thinking of boarding your dog or taking them to a dog class, they usually require this vaccination. (it is actually a nose drop that is given most of the time instead of a shot)

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that effects humans and a range of wild life. Dogs can get this if they are around urine from wildlife (raccoons are a big one around here). If a dog is going to be around ponds, rivers, streams, lakes, or anywhere with standing water where other wildlife may go it is a good idea to give them this vaccination. (Did anyone see the House M.D. episode a couple weeks ago?)

Feline Leukemia is a leathal virus (not a cancer) that is spread from cat to cat through saliva or nasal secretions. This virus will suppress the immune system in cats and eventually effect the bone marrow if it is not fought off. If it gets to the bone marrow the virus will stay with the cat for the rest of the cats life.

Feline Chlamydia is a bacteria that causes repiratory problems in cats. It can be spread from cat to cat by sneezing and coughing, or coming into contact with saliva or nasal secretions. They usually have runny eyes and noses. This is common in kittens in multicat households and pet adoption centers.


For puppies, they usually get 3 rounds of shots in there first 16 weeks of life. The first set is between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks, this will include distemper and parvo. You can do Lepto and Bordetella if you want. When you come back in 3 weeks to do a booster the puppy will be 11 to 13 weeks and will need distemper, parvo and a lepto booster. In another 3 weeks ( 14 to 16 weeks) they will get distemper, parvo, and rabies. At these visits it is normal for the pet to get some type of dewormer as well as many puppies and kittens are born with worms.

Kittens follow the same cycle but they get distemper and if they go outside they will get the feline leukemia and chlamydia. Between 14 to 16 weeks they will get a rabies vaccination.

Cats and dogs will then have to come back in a year to booster all the vaccines. Dogs will then have the 3 core vaccinations spread out. They will get Parvo the next year, then distemper the next year, and then rabies the last year, as these are now 3 year vaccinations. Cats will have to get rabies every year but the distemper becomes a 3 year shot for them.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will try to get an answer for you!