Core vaccinations are the vaccines that your veterinarian feels are the most important vaccinations that your cat or dog needs. They are designed to protect against the diseases that your pet is most likely to come into contact with. Vaccines not only help protect your pets; they also help protect your community. Our veterinarian at Silicon Valley Pet Clinic in Santa Clara would like to take a closer look at core vaccinations for pets.
Rabies
This is the only vaccination that is legally required for all dog owners in California. Many states and cities require that all cats have a rabies vaccine as well. This is because rabies can jump from pets to people through contact with saliva. Rabies is usually fatal and incurable in cats and dogs. There are rabies vaccines that need to be given boosters every year for cats and every one to three years for dogs.
Other Core Canine Vaccines
The other core vaccines for dogs are for distemper, parvovirus, canine hepatitis, and kennel cough. These vaccines can start when a puppy is as young as six weeks old. Distemper and parvovirus vaccines need at least two doses about three or four weeks apart for a puppy to be immunized. The puppy then needs a booster in a year. Afterward, boosters are not needed to be given for up to three years.
Other Core Feline Vaccines
The other core feline vaccines are for feline distemper, feline herpesvirus, and calicivirus. Kittens can get their first core vaccines when they are six weeks old. Three to four weeks later, they need a second dose. They need a yearly booster. Afterward, they can get boosters every three years.
Non-Core Vaccines
Other vaccines are available for dogs and cats, depending on what diseases are prevalent in the area and the pet’s lifestyle. For example, cats and dogs that are going to shows or live in homes with many species of pets should get vaccinated for Bordetella.
Contact Our Veterinarians in Santa Clara, CA
Vaccinations have been used to save the lives of countless pets throughout the world. If you have questions about the benefits of vaccinations for your pets and live in the Santa Clara CA area, contact Silicon Valley Pet Clinic. Call our team today at (408) 248-3844 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.