Immunizations

Canine - Rabies, DHPP, Kennel Cough, Leptospirosis, Lyme

Rabies – neurologic disease transmitted by bats, raccoons, skunks, other infected animals by saliva or bodily fluids. 100% FATAL. As required by New York State law, puppies must receive their first rabies vaccine by 12-16 weeks of age. This vaccine is good for 1 year, at which time they receive the 3 year vaccine.

Distemper vaccine prevents the infectious diseases canine distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and Type 2 Parainfluenza. Puppies receive 3-4 of these vax, with the last one being given at or after 16 weeks of age. At 1 year it is boostered, and then every 3 years after that.

Kennel Cough – a highly contagious respiratory disease. This vaccine should be given to any dog who comes in contact with other dogs. As a puppy, it is given one time, and then boostered annually.

Most boarding facilities, groomers, doggy daycares, puppy classes, and obedience training facilities require all 3 of these vaccines on order to bring your pet in.

Leptospirosis – contagious disease that affects the kidneys and other internal organs. It is transmitted through rat urine. This vaccine should be given to any dog that lives in an area with known rodent problems. It is given as a puppy once and boostered 2 weeks later, and then boostered annually after that.

Feline – FVRCP, Rabies, Feline Leukemia

Rabies – neurologic disease transmitted by bats, raccoons, skunks, other infected animals by saliva or bodily fluids. 100% FATAL. As required by New York State law, kittens must receive their first rabies vaccine by 12-16 weeks of age. This vaccine is boostered annually. Our hospital recommends the 1 year vaccine specially formulated for cats, and has a lower rate of the cancerous tumors, called fibrosarcoma, which have been associated with giving the 2 year dog/cat vaccine to cats.

FVRCP – highly infectious respiratory illness. This vaccine protects against feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and Chlamydia. This vaccine should be given to all cats, especially those exposed to other cats and who go outside. This vaccine is given every 3-4 weeks as a kitten, with the last vaccine being given at or after 16 weeks of age. It is boostered at 1 year, and then given every 3 years after that.

Feline Leukemia – disease contracted through contact with other leukemia positive cats, we recommend this vaccine be given to any cats who are tested negative for leukemia that live in a household with leukemia positive cats, and also cats who go outside.

Please ask your veterinarian about the feline kennel cough vaccine, in order to decide if it should be given to your pet.

Ferrets – Rabies, Distemper

Rabies – As required by New York State law, the rabies vaccine needs to be boostered annually. Distemper vaccine also needs to be boostered annually. As ferrets tend to have a high rate of vaccine reaction, we recommend not doing both vaccines on the same day. They are typically given 1-2 weeks apart.

We may suggest giving a medication in the form of a shot to prevent a vaccine reaction.

Birds – Polyoma

Polyoma – virus transmitted through contact with infected birds. Your bird should be vaccinated if they are in contact with any other birds. Not indicated for birds in a single bird household or through who have no risk of ever coming into contact with any other birds.

All recommendations concerning immunizations at our hospital follow the
     American Veterinary Medical Association recommendations.