How often should my pet be vaccinated?
For many years, a set of annual vaccinations has been considered normal and necessary for dogs and cats. There is increasing evidence to support that immunity triggered by some vaccines provides protection beyond one year. Recently, Weir Veterinary Services moved from a yearly rabies vaccine to a three year program. Our clinic still recommends a yearly examination and core vaccines (including Parvovirus and Distemper). Puppies, kittens, and previously unvaccinated animals need a series of vaccines. The first dose of a vaccine serves to prime the pet's immune system against the virus or bacteria while subsequent doses help to further stimulate the immune system to produce the antibodies needed to protect a pet from specific diseases. To keep these gaps in protection as small as possible and to provide optimal protection againt disease, a series of vaccinations are scheduled, usually 3-4 weeks apart. For most puppies and kittens, the final vaccination in the series is administered at about 4 months of age. Remember that an incomplete series of vaccinations may lead to incomplete protection, making puppies and kittens vulnerable to infection.
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