Like we humans need vaccination in our life to fight against different diseases, animals also need the same. But the way is something different from us. They need some booster to keep the vaccinations effective. So we recommend always to consult with a veterinarian about the vaccinations and follow their recommendations.
But remembering the schedule is a bit confusing. So we came up with this article, which will guide you to maintain the schedule on time and without any hurdles. So it will be much easier now to remember the cat and dog vaccination schedule to keep your pet healthy and free from diseases.
Cat and Dog Vaccination Schedule:
First of all, when we are talking about vaccines, you all should know that vaccines are mainly classified into two categories. They are core pet vaccines and non-core vaccines. Now the classification is done according to their nature. Like the core, pet vaccines are given for each and every pet and the non-core vaccines are generally based on your pet’s nature. That means it depends and differs on each pet and not the same for everyone. So whenever you will go to your veterinarian with your pet for the first time, they will make a schedule for the vaccinations. And all the vaccinations should be given according to that schedule for better results.
Now we are going to talk about the Dog vaccination schedule:
1. Rabies 1Year: This is a core dog vaccine, which is very essential for dogs because dogs are very much prone to rabies. There are no treatments available for rabies in dogs and so it is regarded very fatal. Prevention should be taken in advance and so this vaccine is very important. In adult dogs, it is given as a single dose but in puppies, it is administered in one dose only after 3 months of age. Annual boosters are needed for this vaccination.
2. Rabies 3 year: It is also a core dog vaccine like the previous one and the schedule is almost the same but with a slight difference. After giving this vaccine for the first time, the second one should be given after one year and then the boosters should be given after every 3 years.
3. Distemper: Distemper is a severe disease in dogs, which causes many problems in dogs such as permanent brain damage. It is mainly caused by an airborne virus and so it is regarded as a core pet vaccine. This vaccine should be given in at least 3 doses to the puppies in between 6 weeks to 16 weeks of age and in case of adult dogs,
it is given in 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart. Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing their initial dosage and then all dogs need a booster every 3 years.
4. Parvovirus: Probably you have heard of canine ‘Parvo’. It causes severe vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. It becomes very fatal if remains untreated. It is also given to the puppies in 3 doses between 6-16 weeks of age and in adult dogs, 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart. The booster of this vaccination is also the same as the Distemper vaccine.
5. Adenovirus Type 1: Hepatitis can lead to severe liver damage and even death so you should be very careful about this core vaccine. The dosage and booster is same as the previous Parvovirus Vaccine.
6. Adenovirus Type 2: Comes with a same dosage and this vaccine is also a core dog vaccine. The Adenovirus Type 2 mainly spreads via cough and sneezes.
7. Para influenza: A non-core vaccine, which is given for par influenza infection in dogs. Adult dogs are given in 1 dose and the puppies are given at 6-8 weeks of age and then every 3-4 weeks until 12-14 weeks old. The booster may be needed according to the manufacturer recommendations but a revaccination every 3 years is considered protective.
8. Bordetella bronchiseptica: This is usually not a very serious condition although it can be very dangerous in young puppies. In puppies, it is given in two doses depending on the type of vaccine and in adult dogs; it is given as single dose in oral product and 2 doses injected product. In case your dog is in high-risk environment, the vaccine should be given annually.
9. Lyme Disease: It is a vaccine that is mainly recommended to the dogs with high risk of lyme disease carrying ticks. For puppies, single dose is given as early as nine weeks with a second dose 2-4 weeks later. Adult dogs are given 2 doses 2-4 weeks apart. Boosters may be needed annually prior to the start of tick season.
10. Leptospirosis: This vaccine is generally restricted to the established risk areas. Last dose should be given within 12 weeks in case of puppies and 2 doses 2-4 weeks apart in case of adult dogs. Boosters should only be given to the dogs yearly in case of high risks.
11. Canine Influenza: This is almost similar to the Bordetella and for the puppies; the first dose should be given as early as 6-8 weeks and second dose 2-4 weeks later. In case of adult dogs, 2 doses should be given 2-4 weeks apart. The boosters should be given yearly.
Now here you can read about the Cat Vaccination schedule:
1. Rabies: Prevention is regarded as key because Rabies is fully fatal to the cats and there is no treatment available similar to the dogs. The initial kitten dosage is a single dose as early as 8 weeks of age depending on the product and revaccinate 1 year later. In case of adult cats, it is 2 doses, 12 months apart. The booster is needed annually or every 3 years depending on the vaccine used.
2. Feline Distemper: This is a core cat vaccine and is a severe contagious disease that mainly strikes the kitten and cause death. It should be given as early as 6 weeks in kitten and then every 3-4 weeks till 16 weeks of age. Adult cats should be given 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart. 1 dose is given as a booster after the initial series and then every 3 years.
3. Feline Herpesvirus: This virus causes a disease in cats known as FVR, an upper respiratory condition. The dosage and booster is absolutely same as the previous vaccine and that should be followed.
4. Calicivirus: It is also a upper respiratory condition that can cause joint pain, oral ulcerations, fever and anorexia. This vaccine should also be given in the similar dosage as the Feline Distemper vaccine and the boosters should also be followed in that schedule.
5. Feline Leukemia Virus: This is a non core cat vaccine and should be only given when FeLV negative is found. This virus is transmitted between cat to cat and can cause cancer and many other health problems. For the kittens, the dosage should be given as early as 8 weeks and then 3-4 weeks later and the adult cats should be given 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart. The booster dose should be given every 2 years for the cats with lower risk and annually for the cats with higher risk.
6. Bordetella: This vaccine is given for the contagious upper respiratory condition and it is a non core cat vaccine. This should be given as early as 4 weeks to the kittens and 2 doses to adult cats 1 year apart. The booster dose should be given annually.
Maintaining the schedule is quiet a tough job and so it’s better to read this article and write the schedule according to your own. The cat’s schedule is less confusing than the dogs as the cats need less vaccination. Anyways if you haven’t made a schedule of your pet’s vaccination, immediately rush to the veterinarian and consult about the schedule. This cat and dog vaccination schedule will obviously keep your pet healthy and free from diseases.
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