Vaccinations are important: even for pets that remain indoors all the time. Viruses can be spread through direct and indirect contact with wild or unvaccinated animals, so it is safest to protect our pets with routine vaccinations. Given the progressive nature of small-animal viruses, it is extremely important to immunize your pet and keep them up to date with their regular vaccines. For pets over the age of one year, we recommend annual vaccine appointments. Your veterinarian may recommend a custom vaccination plan for your pet, depending on their age and previous health and vaccine history.
Dog Vaccinations
DA2PP
The DA2PP vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects your dog from multiple viruses – Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. Puppies that are three to six months old are most at risk for contracting these potentially fatal diseases.
We recommend administering the DA2PP vaccine every three to four weeks until your puppy is at least sixteen weeks old, then boosting at one year old, and every three years after that.
Bordetella
Commonly known as “kennel cough”, Bordetella often presents after contact with infected dogs at boarding facilities, day care, grooming facilities, pet stores, or dog parks. Coughing and gagging are often the only initial clinical signs, but the disease can progress to pneumonia if left untreated.
Your dog’s first Bordetella vaccine will require one booster three weeks later, and then will be administered annually thereafter.
Leptospirosis
Spread through the urine of wildlife, leptospirosis can lead to acute kidney failure in dogs, and can also be spread to humans. This disease is common in the Broomfield, CO, area and we treat several cases per year here at Laurel Veterinary Clinic.
Your dog’s first Leptospirosis vaccine will require one booster three to four weeks later, then annually thereafter.
Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)
Canine Influenza, or the “canine flu”, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza A virus. Dogs that receive the Bordetella vaccine would also benefit from the Canine Influenza vaccination, as risk groups are similar.
An initial CIV vaccine will be boostered three weeks later, and annually thereafter.
Rabies
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic virus (meaning that it can be contracted by humans and animals) causing acute encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal and is currently uncurable.
The vaccine is most effective if given at sixteen weeks of age or later, then boostered in one year and every three years thereafter.
Cat Vaccinations
Rabies
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic virus (meaning that it can be contracted by humans and animals) causing acute encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal and is currently uncurable.
The vaccine is most effective if given at sixteen weeks of age or later, then boostered in one year and every three years thereafter.
FVRCP
The FVRCP is a combination vaccine that protects cats against the diseases Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. Kittens and unvaccinated cats are most at risk for contracting these diseases, especially if they go outdoors.
We recommend administering this vaccine every three to four weeks until your kitten is sixteen weeks old, then boosting one year later, and every three years after that.
FeLV
The FeLV vaccine protects against Feline Leukemia Virus, which is the leading viral cause of death in cats. The virus is spread between felines through bite wounds, casual contact with infected cats, and from infected mothers to her kittens. Cats that go outdoors and that are exposed to other cats, especially those with an unknown vaccination or infection status, are most at risk of contracting Feline Leukemia.
Your cat’s first FeLV vaccine will require one booster three to four weeks afterwards. Subsequent boosters are administered every one to two years, depending on the vaccine and cat’s health status.
