If you plan to own a new cat or dog, one decision you should make to ensure it lives a healthy life is vaccination. Vaccines are vital for protecting your pet from deadly diseases, helping it and the larger animal community remain healthy and happy. Glastonbury Animal Hospital in Glastonbury and Marlborough, CT, is here to tell you which vaccines your furry friend should get and when to schedule them.

What Are the Core Cat & Dog Vaccines?

Core vaccines are ones our veterinary team deems all pets should receive. These vaccinations protect against the most common and deadly diseases pets can encounter. Core vaccinations for dogs include the following:

•             Parvovirus: Highly contagious and potentially deadly intestinal virus, especially in puppies.

•             Distemper: An often fatal viral disease that attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous system.

•             Canine hepatitis: An infection that attacks the liver and causes a loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

•             Rabies: A deadly disease that can also spread to humans. Rabies affects the nervous system and almost always results in death.

Cats require many different vaccines from dogs, except rabies. Cats and dogs alike usually require the rabies vaccine under state law. Additional core vaccines specific to cats include:

•             Panleukopenia: A highly contagious and deadly viral disease that attacks your cat’s white blood cells.

•             Feline Calicivirus: This upper respiratory virus can cause mouth ulcers and significant respiratory problems.

•             Feline Rhinotracheitis: This contagious virus is similar to the human common cold, causing inflammation of your cat’s nose and windpipe.

•             Feline Leukemia: Although this vaccine is not considered “core” for adult cats, kittens should receive the feline leukemia vaccination to protect their developing immune system.

When to Schedule Your Pet’s Vaccinations

Our veterinarian near you will recommend a vaccine timeline based on your pet’s age and health. Puppies and kittens typically receive their first series of shots once they reach six to eight weeks old. Your pet will need booster shots every two to four weeks until it reaches 16-18 weeks old. After that, your pet will require boosters every couple of years to ensure your pet’s immune system remains protected from specific pathogens.

Schedule Your Pet’s Vaccinations Today at Glastonbury Animal Hospital

Vaccinating your pet is crucial for protecting it from several significant and deadly diseases, so contact your “veterinarian near you” at Glastonbury Animal Hospital in Glastonbury and Marlborough, CT, to schedule your pet’s vaccinations today. Call our Glastonbury office at (860) 633-8394 or our Marlborough office at (860) 295-3939 to protect your pet’s health and happiness by vaccinating it.