Vaccine Schedule
Vaccination plays an important role in the control of infectious diseases, both for an individual pet and the general population. Certain vaccinations are required, others are strongly encouraged, and some are only necessary depending on your pet’s lifestyle. Here we provide information to help you decide which vaccines are best for your pet. Please feel welcome to ask any questions during your appointment.
Cat Vaccine Schedule
- Protects against deadly disease rabies, which can spread from pets to humans
- REQUIRED in the Commonwealth of Virginia, strongly encouraged in California
- First dose: 12 weeks of age or older
- Booster shots: requires a booster shot one year after the first shot, then every one to three years (depending on the product used)
- Protects against herpesvirus-1 + calicivirus + panleukopenia
- Strongly recommended to ALL cats
- Minimum age requirement 6-weeks old
- First series – Kittens: one dose every 3–4 weeks until older than 16 weeks of age
- First series – Adults: Administer two doses, 3–4 weeks apart
- Boosters: necessary 1 year after first series of shots, then every 1-3 years depending on the product used
- Protects against deadly feline leukemia
- Strongly recommended to all kittens under 1 year old, and adult cats who spend time outdoors or interact with other cats that spend time outdoors
- Minimum age requirement: 8-weeks old
- First series: 2 doses, 3 – 4 weeks apart
- Boosters: necessary 1 year after the first series of shots, then every 2 years for low-risk cats and 1-year for high-risk cats
Dog Vaccination Schedule
- Protects against the deadly disease rabies, which can spread from pets to humans
- REQUIRED in Virginia and California
- First dose: 12 weeks of age or older
- Booster shots: requires a booster shot one year after the first shot, then every one to three years (depending on the product used)
- One vaccine that protects against 3 deadly viruses: distemper, adenovirus type 2, and parvo
- STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for all dogs
- Minimum age requirement: 6-weeks old
- First series – puppies: 1 dose, every 2–4 weeks until older than 14 weeks of age
- First series – adult dogs: two doses, 3–4 weeks apart
- Boosters: 1 year after the first series of shots is complete, then repeat every 1-3 years depending on the product used
- Protects against the highly contagious diseases parainfluenza (respiratory virus) and Bordetella (aka kennel cough)
- Recommended for all dogs who visit dog parks, grooming facilities, boarding facilities or doggie daycare
- First dose: Administered at age 3-weeks or older
- Boosters: Every 6 – 12 months depending on level of risk
- Protects your dog against developing leptospirosis – a serious illness that is often treatable but sometimes deadly. It can permanently damage kidney and liver function.
- Recommended for dogs that spend time near wildlife. This disease is spread through water and dogs that spend time in lakes, rivers or streams are particularly at risk.
- Minimum age requirement: 8-weeks old
- First dose: administer 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart
- Boosters: required annually, 1-year after first series
- Protects against Lyme disease, which causes lifelong damage to vital organs
- Recommended to all dogs who are exposed to ticks. Ticks are most commonly found in wooded areas or tall grasses.
- Minimum age requirement: 8-weeks old
- First series: two doses spaced 3-4 weeks apart
- Boosters: required annually, 1-year after first series
- Protects against the canine flu (H3N8) which is a highly contagious respiratory virus
- Recommended for dogs that are frequently at boarding facilities or doggie daycare.
- Minimum age requirement: 8 weeks old
- First series: two doses, 3 – 4 weeks apart
- Boosters: Administer a single dose annually, 1-year after first series
