Vaccinations
What vaccines does my kitten need, and why?
FVRCP: Feline distemper-upper respiratory vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against distemper, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, chlamydia psittaci. These viruses can be spread through the air or through direct contact between cats. This vaccine is started at 6 to 8 weeks of age and then is repeated in 3 to 4 week intervals through 16 weeks of age. The FVRCP is repeated the following year and then at 3 year intervals.
Rabies: Rabies vaccine is mandatory in New York state for all cats who are 12 weeks of age or older. This vaccine protects your kitten from a fatal virus infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, including humans. This vaccine is good for 1 year. Then the rabies vaccine is repeated the following year and then at 3 year intervals.
Feline Leukemia: Feline leukemia is a highly transmissible virus that is passed from cat to cat through blood, saliva, and urine. All kittens should have a feline leukemia blood test before being vaccinated to make sure he/she is not carrying the virus. The initial series consists of two vaccinations spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart, starting at 12 weeks of age. This vaccine is repeated after 1 year and then every 2 years.
What tests if any, should my kitten have over the course of the first few months of life?
Fecal testing: All kittens should have a stool sample analysis for intestinal parasites. Even if this test is negative, it is wise to deworm all kittens at least 2 or 3 times with a broad spectrum dewormer that provides protection from many worms passed from the mother to her kittens. If your cat goes outdoors, we recommend strategic deworming once or twice a year to protect both your cat and your family.
Feline Leukemia/FIV: Feline Leukemia and Feline immunodeficiency virus are both viruses that spread through blood and saliva from one cat to another. Kittens can easily be exposed through close contact with their mother. We suggest testing all kittens using a combination blood test for FEV/FIV on their first visit. Ideally, this should be repeated again when the kitten is 6 months of age, especially if there is a known exposure to either of these viruses.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork: When your kitten approaches 6 months of age it will be time to schedule him/her for his/her spay or neuter surgical procedure. We recommend that all kittens have a pre-anesthetic blood test no more than 30 days prior to the scheduled surgery. This test evaluates the function of the kidney and liver, which are important to know before anesthesia is administered.
What vaccines does my puppy need, and why?
Da2pp: is a combination vaccination that protects your puppy against distemper, adenovirus 2 (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza. These viruses are transmitted through the direct contact between dogs or through the feces of infected animals. This vaccine is given when your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks of age, and then every 3 to 4 weeks until your puppy reaches 16 to 18 weeks of age. The Da2pp is repeated the following year, and every 3 years thereafter.
Bordetella: Bordetella is more commonly known as “kennel cough”. This vaccine is administered in the form of oral drops or in an injection given to your puppy to protect them against a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that is transmitted through the air. Bordetella is given usually once a year, however, if your puppy will be a show dog or will be boarded often the vaccine can be given up to 4 times a year.
Rabies: Rabies is a mandatory vaccine in New York State for all dogs who are 12 weeks of age or older. The vaccine protects your puppy from a fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, including humans. This vaccine is good for 1 year and then repeated every 3 years.
Lyme: Lyme Borreliosis disease is an infection your puppy can get if bitten by a deer tick carrying the lyme bacteria. Because we have lyme disease in our area, you will want your puppy to have this vaccine. The vaccine can be started at 12 weeks of age, and then repeated in 2 to 3 weeks. Annual re-vaccination is highly recommended.
Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is an infection spread through the urine of wildlife like deer, rabbits, skunks, squirrels, etc. It can cause kidney and liver disease that may be fatal to your dog. In addition, leptospirosis may be spread to humans through the urine if your dog is positive. There is presently a safe and effective vaccine for leptospirosis which we are recommending. The vaccine is given initially and then repeated in 3 weeks. Annual re-vaccination is recommended.
Fecal Testing: All puppies should have a stool sample analysis for intestinal parasites. Even if this test is negative, it is wise to deworm all puppies at least 2 to 3 times with a broad spectrum dewormer that provides protection from many worms passed from the mother to her puppies. We then recommend strategic deworming once a year to protect both your dog and your family.
Heartworm Disease: Heartworm disease is a blood parasite that is transmitted from og to dog through a mosquito bite. Puppies less than six months of age should be on a once-a-month heartworm preventative starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age. We recommend keeping dogs on prevention year round to protect against heartworm and some intestinal parasites. An annual or semi-annual bloodtest for heartworm disease