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Puppy Vaccines and Preventative Care Guidelines
Puppies require a series of vaccinations in order to stimulate an appropriate response from their developing immune system.
The following vaccinations are considered CORE vaccines (recommended for every dog):
DA2P - A combination vaccine that protects against canine distemper, Adenovirus type 2, and parvovirus. For puppies we generally recommend this vaccine be given at 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks of age. If your pet is in a high risk environment or situation then more boosters may be recommended.
Rabies - Required by law, this should be given after 12 weeks of age and before 6 months of age. On request, your dog will be eligible for the 3 year version of this vaccine if they are current on rabies vaccination at the time of their booster.
There are several other vaccinations to consider based on risk factors or what your dog may be exposed to. The other vaccinations we offer are as follows:
Leptospirosis- One of the most common causes of acute infectious liver and kidney failure in your pet, this bacteria is zoonotic (your pet can transmit it to you). At the Animal Health Center, we STRONGLY recommend every dog be vaccinated against leptospirosis. We include this in combination with DA2P in the 12 and 16-week puppy vaccines as well as our adult boosters.
Coronavirus- A gastrointestinal virus, this disease is similar to parvovirus and although usually not quite so severe it can still prove fatal. We believe every puppy should be vaccinated against this, and include it in our 6 and 9-week vaccines.
Bordetella- Also known as kennel cough, generally a vaccination for this is required for any dogs going to a groomer or boarding facility. It is an excellent idea to give this vaccination before attending any puppy training classes.
Lyme - Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks. We generally give this vaccine to dogs who run in the woods or on large properties with a heavy tick burden, and recommend it specifically for hunting dogs.
Canine influenza - This vaccination is sometimes required to go to the groomer or a boarding facility, and we recommend it particularly for those who will be traveling around larger cities.
After the initial puppy series, vaccinations are boostered annually. Adult dogs getting their first dose of DA2P, Lepto, Lyme, or Influenza will need boosters 3-4 weeks after the initial dose then can proceed with yearly boosters.
Puppies should receive regular deworming starting between 2-4 weeks of age and repeating at least 2 to 3 rounds of appropriate deworming medication, such as pyrantel or fenbendazole. No single deworming round or medication will eliminate all the possible parasites.
It is an excellent idea to bring a fresh stool sample with you to your puppy's first visit. We can send out the sample to identify if your puppy still has any of the six most common intestinal parasites. Then we can treat them for that parasite infection.
The first visit is also an excellent time to start on heartworm prevention since year-round prevention is required to adequately protect dogs. Any dog over 7 months of age must be tested before starting heartworm prevention to ensure they are free of these parasites, and repeating the test annually is recommended by the American Heartworm Society. While young, there are two options for how to administer the monthly preventative: topically (on the skin of the back of the neck) or orally (a chewable tablet). Once a dog is fully grown, there is also the option of an injectable heartworm preventative called ProHeart 12 which lasts for 12 months. Many of the monthly preventatives have the additional bonus of treating for intestinal parasites.
The last thing to get started on your puppy’s first visit is flea and tick prevention. In Missouri we see fleas and ticks throughout the year and therefore recommend treating year-round. Depending on your dog's age and weight, flea and tick prevention can be applied orally or topically. In clinic we only have monthly flea and tick preventatives, however our online pharmacy has some with longer durations. Please ask our veterinarians about which preventatives will work best for your pet based on their lifestyles and risks.
We look forward to getting your puppy’s care off on the right foot and helping you select the appropriate vaccinations, deworming and preventatives for your new family member!
Kitten Vaccines and Preventative Care Guidelines
Kittens, like puppies, require a series of vaccinations in order to stimulate their developing immune system.
The following vaccinations are considered CORE vaccines (recommended for every cat):
FVRCP- A combination vaccine that protects against feline herpes virus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (also sometimes called feline distemper). We recommend this vaccine be started between the ages 6 and 8 weeks of age, and boostered every 3-4 weeks until the kitten has had 3 rounds of the vaccine.
Rabies- Required by law, and should be given between 12 weeks and 6 months of age.
Feline Leukemia Virus- Considered a core vaccines for all kittens by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, this vaccine is generally given in conjunction with the second and third rounds of FVRCP. We require a negative Leukemia test before giving this vaccination.
Once kittens complete their kitten series we recommend each of their vaccines be boostered annually. We offer a combination vaccine of FVRCP and Rabies for adult cats or kittens on their last round of boosters.
There are other feline vaccinations on the market. Some of these include Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, and dermatophyte vaccines. Some of these vaccines have questionable effectiveness or limited practical use (only in catteries, for example). For those reasons, the Animal Health Center does not carry any of those vaccines.
A good issue to address at the first kitten visit is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) testing. These are serious viruses that can affect the lifestyle and lifespan of any cat, should they test positive. Infected cats should live their lives exclusively indoors, and preferably isolated from other cats to prevent spread of the disease.
Kittens also require deworming to eliminate intestinal parasites. It is a great idea to bring a fresh stool sample (even if it’s covered in kitty litter) to the first visit. We will then be able to send out the stool to test for the six most common intestinal parasites and treat as needed.
Finally, the first visit is an excellent time to begin flea and tick prevention. This is especially critical for outdoor cats since Missouri has the Lone Star tick which can carry Bobcat Fever (Cytauxzoon felis), an often fatal disease. We recommend year-round prevention for all cats that go outdoors and for any indoor cats who live with dogs. Strictly indoor cats with no other pets going outside can use flea and tick prevention on an as-needed basis, provided they are closely monitored.
Puppies require a series of vaccinations in order to stimulate an appropriate response from their developing immune system.
The following vaccinations are considered CORE vaccines (recommended for every dog):
DA2P - A combination vaccine that protects against canine distemper, Adenovirus type 2, and parvovirus. For puppies we generally recommend this vaccine be given at 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks of age. If your pet is in a high risk environment or situation then more boosters may be recommended.
Rabies - Required by law, this should be given after 12 weeks of age and before 6 months of age. On request, your dog will be eligible for the 3 year version of this vaccine if they are current on rabies vaccination at the time of their booster.
There are several other vaccinations to consider based on risk factors or what your dog may be exposed to. The other vaccinations we offer are as follows:
Leptospirosis- One of the most common causes of acute infectious liver and kidney failure in your pet, this bacteria is zoonotic (your pet can transmit it to you). At the Animal Health Center, we STRONGLY recommend every dog be vaccinated against leptospirosis. We include this in combination with DA2P in the 12 and 16-week puppy vaccines as well as our adult boosters.
Coronavirus- A gastrointestinal virus, this disease is similar to parvovirus and although usually not quite so severe it can still prove fatal. We believe every puppy should be vaccinated against this, and include it in our 6 and 9-week vaccines.
Bordetella- Also known as kennel cough, generally a vaccination for this is required for any dogs going to a groomer or boarding facility. It is an excellent idea to give this vaccination before attending any puppy training classes.
Lyme - Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks. We generally give this vaccine to dogs who run in the woods or on large properties with a heavy tick burden, and recommend it specifically for hunting dogs.
Canine influenza - This vaccination is sometimes required to go to the groomer or a boarding facility, and we recommend it particularly for those who will be traveling around larger cities.
After the initial puppy series, vaccinations are boostered annually. Adult dogs getting their first dose of DA2P, Lepto, Lyme, or Influenza will need boosters 3-4 weeks after the initial dose then can proceed with yearly boosters.
Puppies should receive regular deworming starting between 2-4 weeks of age and repeating at least 2 to 3 rounds of appropriate deworming medication, such as pyrantel or fenbendazole. No single deworming round or medication will eliminate all the possible parasites.
It is an excellent idea to bring a fresh stool sample with you to your puppy's first visit. We can send out the sample to identify if your puppy still has any of the six most common intestinal parasites. Then we can treat them for that parasite infection.
The first visit is also an excellent time to start on heartworm prevention since year-round prevention is required to adequately protect dogs. Any dog over 7 months of age must be tested before starting heartworm prevention to ensure they are free of these parasites, and repeating the test annually is recommended by the American Heartworm Society. While young, there are two options for how to administer the monthly preventative: topically (on the skin of the back of the neck) or orally (a chewable tablet). Once a dog is fully grown, there is also the option of an injectable heartworm preventative called ProHeart 12 which lasts for 12 months. Many of the monthly preventatives have the additional bonus of treating for intestinal parasites.
The last thing to get started on your puppy’s first visit is flea and tick prevention. In Missouri we see fleas and ticks throughout the year and therefore recommend treating year-round. Depending on your dog's age and weight, flea and tick prevention can be applied orally or topically. In clinic we only have monthly flea and tick preventatives, however our online pharmacy has some with longer durations. Please ask our veterinarians about which preventatives will work best for your pet based on their lifestyles and risks.
We look forward to getting your puppy’s care off on the right foot and helping you select the appropriate vaccinations, deworming and preventatives for your new family member!
Kitten Vaccines and Preventative Care Guidelines
Kittens, like puppies, require a series of vaccinations in order to stimulate their developing immune system.
The following vaccinations are considered CORE vaccines (recommended for every cat):
FVRCP- A combination vaccine that protects against feline herpes virus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (also sometimes called feline distemper). We recommend this vaccine be started between the ages 6 and 8 weeks of age, and boostered every 3-4 weeks until the kitten has had 3 rounds of the vaccine.
Rabies- Required by law, and should be given between 12 weeks and 6 months of age.
Feline Leukemia Virus- Considered a core vaccines for all kittens by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, this vaccine is generally given in conjunction with the second and third rounds of FVRCP. We require a negative Leukemia test before giving this vaccination.
Once kittens complete their kitten series we recommend each of their vaccines be boostered annually. We offer a combination vaccine of FVRCP and Rabies for adult cats or kittens on their last round of boosters.
There are other feline vaccinations on the market. Some of these include Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, and dermatophyte vaccines. Some of these vaccines have questionable effectiveness or limited practical use (only in catteries, for example). For those reasons, the Animal Health Center does not carry any of those vaccines.
A good issue to address at the first kitten visit is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) testing. These are serious viruses that can affect the lifestyle and lifespan of any cat, should they test positive. Infected cats should live their lives exclusively indoors, and preferably isolated from other cats to prevent spread of the disease.
Kittens also require deworming to eliminate intestinal parasites. It is a great idea to bring a fresh stool sample (even if it’s covered in kitty litter) to the first visit. We will then be able to send out the stool to test for the six most common intestinal parasites and treat as needed.
Finally, the first visit is an excellent time to begin flea and tick prevention. This is especially critical for outdoor cats since Missouri has the Lone Star tick which can carry Bobcat Fever (Cytauxzoon felis), an often fatal disease. We recommend year-round prevention for all cats that go outdoors and for any indoor cats who live with dogs. Strictly indoor cats with no other pets going outside can use flea and tick prevention on an as-needed basis, provided they are closely monitored.