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Personalized Vaccine Care

Here at East-West Animal Hospital, we believe that vaccines are necessary to protect your pet from dangerous and deadly diseases.  However, we feel strongly that your pets should not be “over vaccinated.”
Vaccines Required For All Pets

Rabies:  This vaccine is required by law for all pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) healthy enough to have it.

  • Rabies is deadly to both humans and animals that are not vaccinated against it and does not have an effective treatment if contracted.
  • Rabies is administered 3 – 4 weeks after the last FVRCP or DHPP.
Feline Vaccines

Felines (Cat) Core vaccinations
FVRCP:  Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes virus), Calicivirus , and Panleukopenia.  This is a combination vaccine that protects against 3 common diseases transmitted amongst cats.  We recommend all cats that are healthy enough should be appropriately vaccinated for this as kittens and into early adulthood.

  • Begin vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks of age.  Booster every 3 – 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
  • Revaccinate with 3-year vaccine at 1 year of age and then every 3 years thereafter.
  • At 4 years of age annual antibody titers are available to determine if continued vaccination is necessary

FeLV:  Feline Leukemia virus is considered a core vaccine for kittens.  This is a disease transmitted  via the saliva of infected cats.  If contracted, this virus can be deadly.  After kittenhood, this vaccine is only recommended for outdoor cats.

  • Vaccinate at >10 weeks and booster in 3 – 4 weeks, then only vaccinate if at risk (exposure to other cats) every 2 years.

We make individualized recommendations based on your pet’s age and lifestyle.  We will only administer the necessary vaccines if your pet is healthy enough to receive them.

Additionally, we typically recommend pets only receive one (1) injectable vaccine at a time.  This ensures your pet’s immune system can mount an appropriate response to the vaccine and reduces the risk of vaccine reactions.

​Please keep in mind this protocol may differ based on your pet’s previous vaccine history, age, risks, health conditions, etc.

Canine Vaccines

Canine (Dog) Core vaccinations
DHPP:  Distemper, Hepatitis (Canine adenovirus 2), Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.  This is a combination vaccine that protects against 4 common diseased transmitted amongst dogs.  We recommend all dogs that are healthy enough should be appropriately vaccinated for this as puppies and into early adulthood.

  • Begin vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks of age.  Booster every 3 – 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
  • Vaccinate with 3-year vaccine at 1 year of age and then every 3 years thereafter.
  • At 4 years of age, annual antibody titers are available to determine if continued vaccination is necessary.

Bordetella (oral):  This is an oral vaccine that reduces the risk of contracting and the severity of kennel cough.  This vaccine is recommended for all dogs that go to boarding, grooming, dog parks, etc.  This is a bacteria that is air-borne and highly contagious.

  • Vaccinate at 6 -8 weeks of age.
  • Can be administered at the same time as DHPP because it is an oral not injectable administration.

Leptospirosis (4 way):  This vaccine reduces the risk of contracting the four (4) most common bacterial strains of Lepto.  The disease can be transmitted by ingesting free standing water containing the bacteria or coming into direct contact with the urine of wild animals such as raccoons.  This disease can also be transmitted to people if your pet contracts the disease.  If contracted, this disease can cause liver and kidney failure and can be deadly.  We recommend all dogs that go hiking, hunting, swimming in lakes, or live near or in a preserve are vaccinated for this disease.

  • Vaccinate 3 – 4 weeks after Rabies, then booster in 3 – 4 weeks.
  • Vaccinate annually if at risk of exposure.

Influenza H3N2 or bivalent:  Influenza or canine flu is a short-lived respiratory infection that is infrequently diagnosed in companion dogs.  It most commonly affects dogs in close contact with many other dogs from different areas such as in dog shows, competitions, etc.  We typically recommend this vaccine for show dogs, competing dogs, and those going to a groomer or kennel that requires it.

  • Vaccination after Rabies, booster in 3 – 4 weeks, and then annually if at risk.

Lyme:  Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, particularly those in the Northeast US.  We recommend this vaccine (along with tick prevention) to dogs that travel and/or are exposed to ticks when hiking, hunting, etc.  Typically, dogs living in Florida are not at risk for this disease so the vaccine is not typically recommended.

  • Vaccinate after rabies, booster in 3 – 4 weeks, then annually if at risk (exposure to ticks)