Essential Pet Vaccinations for Better Protection
It’s not a secret that if you want to keep your pets safe, you need to get them vaccinated to protect them from diseases. At York Veterinary Hospital, we provide pet vaccination services to keep your furry friends healthy, safe, and happy for their lifetime. Whether it’s puppy shots or keeping your grown-up dog protected, we’ll figure out the best plan for them.
Why Are Dog & Cat Vaccinations So Important?
- Shield Against Deadly Diseases: Vaccines stop them from getting diseases that can make them very sick or even cause them to die, like rabies or distemper.
- Protect Other Pets: When your pet has their vaccines, it helps stop diseases from jumping to other animals, even the little puppies and kittens who can’t get vaccines yet.
- Keep Your Family Safe: Some pet diseases can make people sick and some can even be fatal. Vaccines protect you and your loved ones.
- Prevent Unnecessary Suffering: If they don’t get sick, they won’t have to go through pain and feel bad.
- Often Legally Required: In Ontario it is required by law to have your pets vaccinated against rabies as soon as they are 3 months old. This law is required for both outside and indoor pets.
- Save Money Long-Term: It costs a lot more money to try and make a sick pet better than it does to just get them their vaccines in the first place.
- Enable Social Fun: If they have their vaccines, they can go to places like dog parks or get groomed without getting sick or making other animals sick.
Dog Vaccination Schedules by Age & Lifestyle
Puppy Series (typically 6-16 weeks old):
- Core Vaccines (usually given in a series every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks):
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
- Rabies (typically given at or after 12 weeks)
- Non-Core Vaccines (depending on risk):
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Canine influenza
Adult Dogs (after initial puppy series):
- Core Vaccines:
- DHPP booster: Typically every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine and local regulations.
- Rabies booster: Typically every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine and local regulations.
- Non-Core Vaccines (boosted annually or as recommended by your vet based on lifestyle):
- Bordetella (dogs in daycare, boarding, frequent contact with other dogs)
- Leptospirosis (dogs with outdoor access, especially near water)
- Lyme disease (dogs in tick-prone areas)
- Canine influenza (dogs in social settings)
Key Considerations for Lifestyle:
- Social dogs (daycare, dog parks, boarding): May need more frequent Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines.
- Outdoor/rural dogs: May need leptospirosis and Lyme disease vaccines.
- Travel: May require additional vaccines depending on the destination.
Why Choose York Veterinary Hospital for Pet Vaccinations
Here’s why to choose York Veterinary Hospital for dog and cat vaccinations:
- Quick & Stress-Free: Fast, easy, and stress-free vaccination visits for your pet.
- Thorough Health Check: We perform a careful check-up before administering any vaccines.
- Gentle Care: We ensure a comfortable injection process.
- Clear Aftercare Information: Simple instructions for post-vaccination care.
- Your Pet’s Health is Our Priority: We focus on keeping your pet healthy and protected.