Pet Vaccinations
Pacific Animal Hospital prioritizes your pet’s health with comprehensive vaccination services in Redondo Beach, CA, to protect them from preventable diseases.
Why Vaccinations Are Essential for Your Pet?
Vaccinations are a critical component of your pet’s long-term health care plan. Whether you are bringing in a puppy for their first round of vaccines or ensuring your adult dog stays up to date on their shots, vaccines play a key role in protecting pets from infectious diseases. Vaccinating your pet not only keeps them safe but also helps reduce the spread of diseases that could impact other animals and even humans.
Vaccines work by safely introducing your pet’s immune system to an inactive or weakened version of a virus or bacteria. This exposure trains their immune system to recognize the pathogen and respond quickly if they ever come into contact with the actual disease.
Core and Non-Core Vaccines: What Your Pet Needs
Vaccines for pets are divided into two categories: core vaccines, which are recommended for all pets, and non-core vaccines, which are given based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.
Core Pet Vaccines
Core vaccines are essential for every pet according to their breed and species, as they protect against the most widespread and dangerous diseases. The core vaccines we recommend at Pacific Animal Hospital include:
- Rabies: A fatal disease that can spread from animals to humans, rabies vaccination is required by law for dogs and cats.
- Distemper: A contagious virus that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs.
- Parvovirus: A highly contagious and potentially fatal virus that attacks the gastrointestinal system, especially in puppies.
- Canine Hepatitis: A virus that affects the liver, kidneys, and eyes of dogs, leading to severe health complications.
Non-Core Pet Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are recommended based on your pet’s exposure risk. During your visit, our veterinarian will discuss your companion’s environment, lifestyle, and potential exposure to other animals to determine if they need additional vaccinations. Some common non-core vaccines include:
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Recommended for dogs that frequently visit grooming salons, dog parks, or boarding facilities.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans, typically found in areas with standing water or wildlife.
- Lyme Disease: For dogs that spend time in tick-prone areas, vaccination can help prevent this tick-borne illness.
When Should Your Pet Be Vaccinated?
Vaccination schedules depend on your dog’s age, health status, and lifestyle. Puppies and kittens should start receiving vaccinations as early as 6-8 weeks of age, followed by booster shots every few weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. Adult dogs and cats require annual or tri-annual boosters, depending on the vaccine type. Staying up to date on these vaccines ensures continuous protection for your dog throughout their life.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Puppy vaccinations are especially important as young dogs are highly vulnerable to diseases. Here’s a typical puppy vaccination schedule:
- 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Parvovirus
- 10-12 weeks: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus), Bordetella
- 14-16 weeks: Rabies, DHPP booster
- Annual boosters: Rabies, DHPP, and other non-core vaccines as needed
Kitten Vaccination Schedule
Kitten vaccinations are critical to support their young and highly vulnerable immune system. A typical kitten vaccination schedule includes:
- 6-8 weeks: FVRCP, protecting against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and chlamydia
- 10-12 weeks: FeLV, FVRCP booster
- 14-16 weeks: Rabies, second FeLV dose, FVRCP booster
- Annual boosters: FVRCP and Rabies boosters
Adult pet Vaccinations
Adult dogs and cats require booster shots to maintain immunity. Depending on the vaccine, your pet may need boosters every 1-3 years. Our veterinary team will work with you to create a vaccination schedule that ensures your dog stays protected.
Benefits of Pet Vaccinations
- Disease Prevention: Vaccines protect your pet from life-threatening diseases, ensuring they stay healthy.
- Public Health: Vaccinating your pet helps prevent the spread of diseases like rabies, which can affect humans and other animals.
- Safe Socialization: Vaccinated pets are safer when interacting with other pets, reducing the risk of spreading or contracting illnesses.
- Compliance with Local Laws: In many areas, including California and many of its cities, vaccines such as for rabies are legally required for dogs and cats.
Key Services Offered at Pacific Animal Hospital
- Core and non-core vaccinations tailored to your dog or cat’s needs
- Customized vaccine schedules based on your pet’s age, health, and lifestyle
- Puppy and kitten vaccination plans to ensure your new pet is protected from common diseases
- Expert advice on preventing disease transmission in multi-pet households
Schedule Your Dog’s Vaccination at Pacific Animal Hospital
At Pacific Animal Hospital in Redondo Beach, CA, we are committed to providing the best care for your pets. Our dog vaccine clinic ensures that your pet receives all necessary vaccinations to keep them healthy and protected.
To schedule your dog’s vaccination or puppy vaccinations, contact us today. We look forward to helping your pet stay safe and healthy for years to come.