Pet vaccination schedules depend on your pet’s age, health and types of activities they engage in, so please peruse our cat and dog vaccination FAQ and contact our veterinarian in Edmond, OK at (405) 330-0676 to check your pet’s individual schedule.

Questions about Cat and Dog Vaccination Schedules?

What is a cat or dog vaccination?

Vaccinations strengthen your pet’s immune system by injecting components of a bacteria or virus under your cat or dog’s skin. These components do not infect your pet; they stimulate your pet’s body to produce antibodies designed combat those particular diseases so that when pets encounter these pathogens, they enjoy immunity.

Does my pet really need vaccinations?

Yes. They are the simplest, most effective and least expensive way to protect your pet from rampant, extremely contagious diseases that severely sicken and kill pets. Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable to some of these diseases, so it is crucial to begin their pet vaccination schedule at the recommended time. Call our veterinarian in Edmond, OK for details.

What is the difference between a core pet vaccination and a non-core vaccine?

Core pet vaccinations are those considered by veterinary health experts as essential for avoiding the most contagious and common pathogens. Non-core vaccines are those that our veterinarian in Edmond, OK provides to pets based on individual health and lifestyle factors (e.g. if your dog hunts, swims in rivers or lakes, travels, has a weak immune system, plays at dog parks or goes into boarding, etc.) These are not necessary for every pet, but for some, they may be important.

  • Core cat vaccinations include: feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia and rabies.
  • Core dog vaccination schedule: parvovirus, hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza and rabies.
  • Potential non-core dog vaccinations: Leptospirosis, bordetella and borrelia burgdorferi.
  • Potential non-core cat vaccinations: bordetella, feline immunodeficiency virus, chlamydophila felis, and feline leukemia virus.

At what age does my puppy/kitten need vaccinations?

Rabies shots start at week 12, but the remaining core pet vaccination schedule starts at 8 weeks and goes to about 20 weeks with sets of vaccinations administered at 3-4 week intervals. It is critical to keep your puppy/kitten on this schedule because these young pets are particularly vulnerable to severe diseases.

Are there any pet vaccinations required by law?

Yes. Regular rabies shots are the law in every state and most parts of the world.

How often should I have my pet vaccinated?

Our veterinarian in Edmond, OK can check your pet’s records. Shots like rabies can be given every 3 years, but other core vaccines need an annual booster. Bordetella shots last only 6 months.

Do cat or dog vaccination shots cause any side effects?

Rarely do we see swelling at the shot site and maybe a mild fever—a very low risk compared with the high reward of preventing severe illness and death in your pet!

Call our veterinarian in Edmond, OK with any other questions or to check your pet vaccination schedule: (405) 330-0676.