How do vaccines work?
If you notice these side effects lasting more than a day or if they are causing discomfort for your pet, please call your veterinarian to discuss if your pet needs to be re-examined.
A small swelling may also form under the skin at the vaccination site. It should go down in size within days or weeks. If still present after 3 weeks or growing in size, please contact your veterinarian.
More serious adverse reactions are rare, but include:
Please contact your veterinarian right away if you notice any of the symptoms above.
If your pet experiences any vaccine reaction, we recommend that you call our hospital or after hours phone line as soon as possible or go to your nearest emergency hospital.
Other uncommon adverse effects of vaccines in our feline pets include injection site sarcomas, which can develop weeks, months or even years after a vaccine was administered. Recent advances in vaccine formulations have significantly reduced the occurrence of injection site sarcomas.
It is very important that you inform your veterinarian if your pet has experienced any adverse reaction to vaccines in the past.
Your veterinarian will discuss which vaccines are necessary for your pet’s health. The risks should be weighed against the benefits in any patient who has had a side effect after vaccination. If your pet has experienced an adverse reaction, we may or may not repeat the vaccination (depending on the severity of symptoms and risks vs benefit) or we may administer a premedication injection prior to vaccinations and monitor him or her in our hospital for a few hours after the vaccine.
How often will my adult pet need vaccinations?
Vaccination recommendations are under constant assessment by the AVMA. Some vaccinations protect your pet for a year, other vaccines last longer. Your veterinarian will devise a vaccine regimen customized to your pet’s needs.
How about puppy or kitten vaccinations?
Young animals have a naïve immune system and are more susceptible to infections or contagious diseases. Puppies and kittens receive partial immune protection through their mother’s milk, but the protection is not long-lasting and as their mother’s antibodies decrease in concentration in your puppy or kittens’ bloodstream, series of vaccinations are administered every 3-4 weeks apart to bridge the gap in immunity. We recommend starting vaccinations as soon as you get your puppy or kitten and we will continue administration until they are 16 weeks of age. However, your veterinarian may alter the vaccine schedule based on your pet’s individual history or risk factors. When you come in for your puppy or kitten’s first exam, we can go over your pet’s recommended vaccine schedule and answer any questions that you may have.
What are core and non-core vaccines?
Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are vaccines considered essential to your pet’s health. They are all recommended for any pet which has an unknown vaccine history and are required for some facilities who have boarding, doggy daycare, and grooming. Rabies is a vaccine required by law.
Core Vaccines – Dogs
Core Vaccines - Cats
Non-Core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are vaccines that may be recommended under particular circumstances or depending on your pet’s exposure.
Non-Core Vaccines - Dogs