Kitten and Cat Vaccination Schedule >

Vaccination is the single most important investment that you can make in your adult cat’s future good health.  The following are diseases for which we routinely vaccinate:

Feline Panleukopenia Virus:
Also known as feline distemper, Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) is a severe and very contagious multisystemic disease, which most commonly strikes young kittens.  FPV causes anorexia, depression, high fever, persistent vomiting and diarrhea and progressive dehydration.  Additionally, FPV lowers the cat’s white blood cell count, which leaves the cat unable to fight off a secondary bacterial infection.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis:
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease caused by the feline herpesvirus.  FVR is spread by direct contact between cats and by contact with contaminated cages, grooming tools, human hands and clothing, and contaminated food and water dishes.  FVR causes depression, anorexia, fever, and nasal /ocular discharge.  Eye lesions are common.

Feline Calicivirus:
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease that is similar to FVR.  FCV causes many of the same clinical signs without eye lesions and with the addition of oral ulceration, and joint pain.  There are many strains of this virus which can result in a range of clinical signs, from mild to acute death.

Feline Leukemia Virus:
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a severe and often fatal disease which affects the cat’s immune system.  FeLV is spread from cat to cat by grooming, sharing food and water dishes, and sharing litterboxes.  FeLV causes clinical signs which are highly variable, and may include loss of appetite, weight loss, coughing, anemia, a tendency to develop fatal cancers, and immunosuppression.  There is no effective treatment of FeLV at this time.  Cats should be blood tested for FeLV before their first vaccination.

Rabies Virus:
Rabies is 100% fatal to cats and other mammals and there is no treatment.  Rabies can infect people as well if bitten by an infected animal.  Pima County has a relatively high incidence of rabies in its wildlife population, especially bats.  Due to the unpredictable behavior of infected wildlife, even indoor only cats should be vaccinated for rabies.

Vaccination Schedule:
Your kitten should begin its series of vaccinations at 6 - 8 weeks of age.  The following is the kitten/cat vaccination schedule that your pet should follow:

PRC
6 - 8 weeks old: First PRC vaccination (Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus)
Then every 3 - 4 weeks until 14 - 16 weeks of age
Then booster annually until 2 years of age
Then can booster every 1 - 3 years depending on the cat’s exposure rate

Rabies Vaccination
12 weeks old (and three pounds in weight): First Rabies vaccination, then booster annually

FeLV
Blood test for FeLV before their first vaccination, and evaluate cat’s exposure before vaccinating.
Begin vaccinating at 10 - 12 weeks of age followed by a booster 3 - 4 weeks later.
Retest at 6 months of age.
Vaccinate every 1 - 3 years depending on risk of exposure.  Adult animals without exposure may not require this vaccine.

Dog and Puppy Vaccination Schedule >

Vaccination is the single most important investment that you can make in your adult dog’s future good health.  The following are diseases for which we routinely vaccinate:

Canine Distemper Virus:
Distemper is a severe viral disease that affects many of a dog’s organ systems.  This disease can cause severe permanent brain damage and many other clinical problems including vomiting, diarrhea, and severe secondary infections.  An airborne virus causes distemper.  Treatment for advanced stages of the disease is usually not effective.

Canine Hepatitis:
Hepatitis in dogs is caused by the Canine Adenovirus.  Infectious hepatitis causes severe liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea and death.  Treatment requires intensive nursing care, which includes hospitalization and IV fluids.  The virus is spread from dog to dog via coughs and sneezes.

Canine Kennel Cough:
Infectious Tracheobronchitis, or “Kennel Cough” can be caused by several viral and bacterial agents, and can be found anywhere dogs frequent.  The Bordatella bacterium and the parainfluenza virus are the most common causes of kennel cough.  This disease is usually not serious, but can lead to a chronic and persistent cough.  Cough suppressants or other supportive therapy can be used to relieve discomfort.  Kennel Cough can cause pneumonia and death in severe cases.

Canine Parvovirus:
Canine parvovirus or “parvo” is a highly contagious viral disease infecting dogs.  Young and unvaccinated dogs have higher susceptibility to the disease.  Parvo causes a very severe gastroenteritis that is highly contagious and can cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea.  Parvo is spread via direct contact with feces, saliva, and environmental contamination.  The disease is difficult and expensive to treat and usually fatal without treatment.

Rabies Virus:
Rabies is 100% fatal to dogs and other mammals and there is no treatment.  Rabies can infect people as well if bitten by an infected animal.  Rabies is considered endemic in Arizona and Pima County.  You are required by law to have your dog vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.  A puppy should have its first rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age.  The first rabies vaccination that a dog receives is good for one year, and all following vaccinations (with written proof of current vaccination) are good for three years.

Vaccination Schedule:
Your puppy should begin its series of vaccinations at 6 - 8 weeks of age.  The following is the puppy/dog vaccination schedule that your pet should follow:

DAPP
Puppies should receive their first vaccination at 6 - 8 weeks of age 
Then every 3 - 4 weeks until adult dentition erupts (~5 months)
Then booster annually until >3 years of age
Then booster every 3 years

Rabies Vaccination
First rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age
The first rabies vaccination that a dog receives is good for one year, and all following vaccinations (with written proof of current vaccination) are good for three years.
You are required by law to have your dog vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian

Bordetella
Intranasally (both nostrils) every 6 to 12 months depending upon exposure.  Check with your boarding facility to make sure that you are compliant with their stated policy of vaccination frequency.

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