Dog and Cat Vaccinations

Your pet is your beloved companion, and nothing is more important that making sure he or she is healthy. The best way to protect your dog or cat’s health is to have them regularly vaccinated.

Why Vaccinate Your Pet?

Vaccinating pets protects them from serious, even life-threatening, disease and illness. By introducing antigens of these diseases into their bloodstream, they build up immunities which keeps them safe as long as the vaccines are administered on a regular basis. We offer both core (critical) and non-core (lifestyle dependent) vaccinations for cats and dogs.

When are Pet Vaccinations Needed?

Vaccine schedules vary according to your pet. For example, puppies will typically need to follow the schedule below:

• 8 wk - Full Examination + distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza & parvovirus
• 12 wk - Full Examination + distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, bordetella & leptosporsis for high risk pets
• 16 wk - Full Examination + distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus & rabies (1yr vaccine) & leptosporsis for high risk pets
• 1 yr - Full Examination + distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus & rabies (3yr vaccine) & leptosporsis for high risk pets

Kittens, on the other hand, require the following:

• 8 wk - rhinotracheitis, calici virus, panleukopenia
• 12 wk - rhinotracheitis, calici virus, panleukopenia, chlamydia & feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
• 16 wk - rhinotracheitis, calici virus, panleukopenia, chlamydia, FeLV, rabies (1yr vaccine) & feline leukemia (FeLV)
• 1 yr - rhinotracheitis, calici virus, panleukopenia, chlamydia, FeLV, rabies(3 yr vaccine) & leukemia for high risk pets

Core Vaccinations for Dogs

The following diseases are not only serious, they are extremely contagious and can lead to death.

• Rabies: Rabies is passed on by the bite of an infected animal. It results in a painful and agonizing progression of symptoms before finally resulting in the pet’s death.
• Parvovirus: The Parvo virus is a very contagious disease that attacks the dog’s intestinal tract and results in vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite. It is especially serious in puppies. Overall, the number of cases of this illness has been significantly reduced because of the increase in vaccinations against it.
• Canine Distemper: Distemper is an extremely contagious virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems and results in the death of more dogs than any other infectious disease. There is no cure and for dog’s that do survive, there may be permanent damage. Symptoms include eye and nose discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and seizures.
• Canine Hepatitis: Canine Hepatitis is a serious disease with symptoms that include fever, congestion, depression, and blood clotting problems. Untreated, it will lead to death.

Core Vaccinations for Cats

To protect your cat, the following vaccinations are necessary.

• Rabies
• Feline Herpes: The vaccine for this virus protects against the most common cause of colds in cats. Also known as cat flu, it is especially serious in flat-nosed breeds such as Persians. It is highly contagious and leaves infected cats vulnerable to secondary infections.
• Panleukopenia: The vaccine for this illness, usually combined with protection against Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus, keeps cats safe from the distemper of the feline world.

For both kittens and puppies, we recommend the first round of vaccinations be given between 6 and 8 weeks of age, and after the first year, every year thereafter.

Non-core Vaccinations

Depending on the type of exposure your dog or cat will have, our vet may recommend any of the following vaccines.

Dogs:

• Bordetella, parainfluenza, and adenovirus: For dogs that will be boarded or around other dogs.
• Lyme Disease: For dogs that will be spending a lot of time outside.

Cats:

• For cats who are frequently outside or around other cats, we recommend vaccinations against feline leukemia, FIV and Bordetella.

The ultimate key to your pet’s long and robust life is to start them off with the proper pet vaccinations which begin the process of building their immune system for lifelong protection against disease.  

Call to schedule your pet's vaccinations in Etobicoke today!