Pet Vaccinations: What Your Dog & Cat Need, Why and When.

Pet Vaccinations: What Your Dog & Cat Need, Why and When.

 

Like people, pets need vaccines. And pet vaccinations, like those for humans, may sometimes require a booster to keep them effective. The best way to stay on schedule with vaccinations for your pet is to follow the recommendations of a veterinarian you trust.

Many vaccines can be given to puppies or kittens as young as 6 weeks old, so talk to your vet about setting up the best vaccination schedule for your dog or cat.

At Jet Pet Resort all guests must be up to date with their vaccinations before checking in. For dogs, Distemper combination, Rabies and Bordetella are mandatory. For cats, FVRCP combo and Rabies vaccinations are required.

Keep reading to quickly learn about each vaccination, why it is needed and when you should be getting your pet its shots.

 

Vaccinations for Dogs Staying at Jet Pet Resort

Distemper combination

This is a core dog vaccine. Caused by an airborne virus, Canine distemper, sometimes called the hardpad disease, is a severe disease that, among other problems, may cause permanent brain damage.  Canine “parvo” is contagious and can cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Parvo is usually fatal if untreated. This shot should be administered in at least 3 doses, given between 6 and 16 weeks of age for puppies and 2 doses, given 3-4 weeks apart for older dogs. Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing their initial series, and then all dogs need a booster every 3 years or more.

Rabies

This is a core dog vaccine. Rabies is 100% fatal to dogs, with no treatment available. Prevention is key. This shot can be administered in 1 dose, as early as 3 months of age. There are 2 varieties, a 1 year shot and a 3-year shot. Annual boosters are recommended. Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing the initial series, and then all dogs need a booster every 3 years or more.

Bordetella

This is a mandatory boarding vaccine for Jet Pet Resort. Bordetella is also known as Kennel cough, the common name that is given to infectious canine tracheobronchitis. It is a very highly contagious respiratory disease among dogs. This disease is found throughout the world and is known to infect a very high percentage of dogs at least once during their lifetime. The shot can be administered in 1 dose of the intranasal product or 2 doses of the injected product. Annual or 6-month boosters may be recommended for dogs in high-risk environments.

 

Vaccinations for Cats Staying at Jet Pet Resort

FVRCP combo

This is a core cat vaccine which protects against several common feline maladies including Rhinotracheitis, a severe upper respiratory infection caused by a feline type 1, herpes-virus, Caliciviruses which can cause a range of diseases, from a mild almost asymptomatic infection to life-threatening pneumonia, and   Feline distemper or Panleukopenia which is a highly contagious disease characterized by a short course and high mortality rate. The FVRCP shot can be given as early as 6 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Older cats require 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart. The booster required is 1 dose given 1 year after the last dose of the initial series, then no more than every 3 years.

 

Rabies

This is a core cat vaccine. Rabies is 100% fatal to cats, with no treatment available. Prevention is key. This shot can be administered in 1 dose as early as 8 weeks of age, depending on the product and then revaccinate 1 year later for kittens, and 2 doses, 12 months apart for older cats. A booster is required annually or every 3 years, depending on the vaccine used.

 

A Final Note

The above-listed vaccines are considered ‘core’ vaccines for your pet and are mandatory if you wish to have your pet stay at Jet Pet Resort. However, this list is not exhaustive and there are many other vaccines and shots available for your cat and/or dog. You should discuss these with your veterinarian as each animal is unique. Upon registering your pet with Jet Pet Resort, we begin a file for your pet and we will remind you if your pet’s boosters are due when you book your pets stay with us. It’s just another way that Jet Pet Resort helps care for your pet.