When Should Your Pet Get Each Vaccine?
Your vet will speak with you about their recommendations, as they may vary by your pet’s environment. In general, here is an administration schedule of what vaccine your pet should get and when:
DOGS:
| VACCINE | <16 WEEKS | >16 WEEKS | BOOSTERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies Virus (a core vaccine) | Single dose (not earlier than 12 weeks of age) | A single dose and booster with second dose 1 year after initial vaccine | Every 1-3 years |
| Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus-2 (hepatitis), Canine Parvovirus (a core vaccine) | Series of 3 doses given 3-4 to weeks apart (From 6-8 weeks of age) with the last not to be given before the puppy reaches 16 weeks | 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart | 1 year after and then every 3 years |
| Bordetella (a non-core vaccine) | 2 doses of injectable (8 & 12 weeks old) or 1 dose of intranasal (as young as 3 weeks old) | Intranasal once or injectable twice (2-4 weeks apart) | Every 6-12 months, depending on exposure |
| Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) (a non-core vaccine) | Series of 2 doses (initial not before 12 weeks) | Series of 2 doses (2-4 weeks apart) | Yearly, prior to tick season if at risk of exposure |
| Leptospirosis (a non-core vaccine) | Series of 2 doses (initial dose not before 12 weeks of age) | Series of 2 doses (2-4 weeks apart) | Yearly for dogs at sustained risk of exposure; more frequent for high rist may be recommended. |
| Parainfluenza (a non-core vaccine) | Injectable is in combination with core vaccines; series of 3 doses. Intranasal available in combination with Bordetella vaccine; single dose only. | Injectable is in combination with core vaccines; series of 2 doses. Intranasal available in combination with Bordeletta vaccine; single dose only. | 1 year after and then every 3 |
CATS:
| VACCINE | <16 WEEKS | >16 WEEKS | BOOSTERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies Virus (a core vaccine) | Single dose (as early as 8 weeks of age) | Single dose | Revaccinate 1 year after initial dose and then every 1-3 years |
| Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV) (a core vaccine) | Series of 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart until 16 weeks old (initial dose as early as 6 weeks) | 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart | 1 year after and then no more often than every 3 years |
| Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) (a non-core vaccine) | 1-2 doses, depending on product | 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart | 1 year after initial series and then annual if there's a sustained risk of exposure |
| Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) (a non-core vaccine) | Series of 3 doses (2-3 weeks apart) | Series of 3 doses (2-3 weeks apart) | Yearly as long as there is risk for exposure |
| Feline Chlamydiosis (a non-core vaccine) | Series of 2 doses (3-4 weeks apart) | 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart | Yearly for cats with sustained exposure risk |
| Bordetella (a non-core vaccine) | 1 dose intranasally (as early as 8 weeks) | Single dose intranasally | Yearly for cats with known risk exposure |
Local Providers:
If you are in the Arlington, TX area, we have received good care and reasonable services from Animal Health Care Center.