cat receiving a vaccination from a vet employee

Vaccinations

Owning a pet can be challenging-it’s a never-ending job to keep them safe and happy. Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but very important way to protect his or her health. In addition to preventing many life-threatening illnesses, vaccinations can also help prevent infections prevalent in wildlife and those that can be passed to humans. It’s important to administer vaccinations when pets are puppies and kittens because their young immune systems are still developing and need protection to stay healthy.

While any medical treatment involves some degree of risk, in the case of vaccinations, the benefits far outweigh any potential side effects. Adverse reactions are rare and usually mild and short-term when they do occur.

Types of Vaccines to Receive

Which vaccines should your pet have? “Core” vaccines are those recommended—and possibly mandated by law—for most pets. Core pet vaccines include:

  • Rabies (dogs and cats)
  • DA2PPV – Distemper, Hepatitis, Adenovirus 2, Parvo and Parainfluenza (dogs)
  • FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (cats)

Other non-core, but highly suggested vaccinations for cats may include FeLV to protect against feline leukemia. For many dogs, leptospirosis, bordetella, lyme disease, and canine influenza shots are often recommended if they frequent dog parks, boarding kennels, forest preserves, or routinely visit areas frequented by wildlife. If you are looking to vaccinate your dog or cat, schedule an appointment online for a pet vaccine. If you have an exotic pet, please call our office for recommendations.

It’s also important to note that even pets who live primarily indoors should be vaccinated, as they can still be exposed to a disease. Your Best Friends Animal Hospital veterinarian can advise you which vaccinations are required or recommended for your pet based on age, health, and lifestyle.

Get Your Pet Vaccinated

For more information or to schedule an appointment to have your pet vaccinated at our veterinary hospital, call us at (847) 548-2626.