Q What exactly are vaccines?

Vaccines are health products that trigger protective immune responses in your pet, preparing them to fight future infections from disease-causing agents. They can lessen the severity of future diseases, and certain vaccines can prevent infection altogether.

Q Is it really that important to vaccinate?

Yes! Vaccines protect your pet from many highly contagious and deadly diseases. Even though some formerly common diseases have become less frequent, vaccination is still essential because these serious disease agents continue to be present in the environment. The reason they've become less common is because of vaccination — if we stop vaccinating, these diseases will return.

Q Does vaccination guarantee my pet is protected?

For most pets, vaccination is effective and will prevent future disease. Occasionally, a vaccinated pet may not develop adequate immunity, and although rare, it's possible for these pets to become ill. However, most successfully vaccinated pets never show signs of disease — making vaccination one of the most important parts of your pet's preventive health care.

Q Are there risks to vaccinating?

Like any medical procedure, vaccination carries some risk. The most common reactions are mild and short-term: a low-grade fever, slight sluggishness, reduced appetite, or temporary tenderness at the injection site. These typically resolve within a day or two.

In rare cases, more serious reactions can occur. Contact us immediately if your pet experiences repeated vomiting or diarrhea, whole-body itching, difficulty breathing, collapse, or swelling of the face or legs — these may indicate an allergic reaction. While serious adverse reactions are very rare, remember that the risk of not vaccinating leaves your pet vulnerable to fatal illnesses that are entirely preventable.

Q Why do puppies and kittens need a series of shots?

Very young puppies and kittens are highly susceptible to infectious diseases, especially as the natural immunity provided by their mother's milk gradually wears off. To keep gaps in protection as narrow as possible, a series of vaccinations is scheduled — usually 3 to 4 weeks apart. For most puppies and kittens, the final vaccination in the series is given between 12 and 16 weeks of age.

Q Which vaccines does my pet actually need?

Not every pet needs every available vaccine. "Core" vaccines are recommended for virtually all pets, while "lifestyle" or "non-core" vaccines are reserved for pets with specific risk factors based on their activities, environment, and travel.

We'll consider your pet's lifestyle, access to other animals, and exposure risks to build a customized vaccination plan. For more detail on specific vaccines, visit our Canine Vaccine Basics and Feline Vaccine Basics pages.

Q How often should my pet be vaccinated?

Vaccination schedules have evolved. While annual vaccinations were once standard across the board, we now know that some vaccines provide protection well beyond a year, while others may not last a full twelve months. We'll tailor a schedule specifically for your pet to ensure they're always protected without being over-vaccinated.