Vaccinations

Just like with humans, pets have certain sets of vaccinations that they receive regularly throughout their lives from the time that they are 2months old.

The initial round of vaccines that they receive as puppies and kittens can vary between veterinary clinics. Some do complete combo vaccines and some choose to do individual vaccines.

*See with any veterinarian that your pet might've seen prior to its adoption to find out what they received.

Here at HancockPark Veterinary clinic we prefer to do the initial combo vaccines. For puppies this combo vaccine is called the distemper/parvo vaccine or the Da2PP vaccine. They receive their initial one anywhere between 6-9 weeks then receive two more (boosters) at 9-12 weeks and 12-15 weeks. So in total, for this vaccine, your puppy will have one initial immunization and two boosters that follow. After the last booster your pet will not need this vaccine for another year and then will receive it yearly after that.

Another option with Da2PP, and this is only after your pet has received 1-2 yearly vaccines, is the Distemper Titer test. Blood is drawn from the pet and sent to the lab where the titer levels are tested. Titer levels are the levels of immunity your pet has built against the virus' that the vaccine is made for (in this case Distemper & Parvo-Virus). Doing the titer test can help against over vaccination which can sometimes inhibit the animals immune system rather than help it. If your pets titer levels against the virus are up to par it isn't necessary to vaccinate them again.

Please contact the clinic for more information.

The next vaccine that is done for puppies is the kennel cough vaccine, or the Bordetella vaccine. There is usually only one booster following the initial vaccine (one is done by intransal and the other injectable). This vaccine is required by most, if not all, groomers and boarding facilities and is highly advised for adult dogs that frequent dog parks and day-cares. Bordetella is given every 6months and is alternated between intransal and injectable. Sometimes the injectable can sting a bit so if your pet is a bit sore following this vaccine do not be alarmed as it can sometimes take a few hours for the ouch to go away.

There is no titer for this vaccine and is really only recommended for  dogs who do regularly go to get groomed or spend their days at a daycare, with a walker or need to be boarded. Otherwise speak with your veterinarian to find a vaccine regimen that may work better with your pet.

The final vaccine is the Rabies vaccine. This vaccine only has a solo initial vaccine and requires no boosters. The initial vaccine lasts for a year then is only needed every 3 years following that one. Unfortunately the titer that can be done for Rabies is not acceptable by law unless traveling to a country that requires the test be done. The law requires your pet be vaccinated for Rabies, then licensed and registered with the city with proof of vaccination and sterilization (spay/neuter) otherwise fee's and fines may be done as a penalty.

For felines the combo vaccine is FVRCP, or feline distemper. It follows a similar regimen to the Da2PP vaccine; one initial and 2 boosters following that, but FVRCP is every 3 years.

There is also an FIV vaccine available to cats but it can be a very touchy vaccine. FIV is the feline version of human HIV, it is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (NOT transmissible to humans). This can be passed to non infected cats via blood transmission, ie; through bite wounds.  This vaccine is advised only if your cat is indoor/outdoor and will ONLY be given if your cat is microchipped. The reasoning behind it is that once a cat is vaccinated for FIV it will always come up FIV positive on combo test, it does not necessarily mean the cat is infected but since it was vaccinated for it the test will turn up positive. Sadly because of the complications that can come with an FIV positive feline and its difficulties when it comes to be integrated with FIV-negative felines, cats that are found and test positive are usually put to sleep which can be a devastating mistake when it happens to house pets. Having a microchip not only identifies that your cat has a home and owner but you are able to place an alert on that microchip that your cat has been vaccinated for FIV.

Please discuss the vaccine with your veterinarian first.

Interested in knowing about about FIV? Check out our info page under the FAQs tab.