WoofDoctor on Wheels Vaccination Schedule & Vaccine FAQ

Cat getting a vaccine

Vaccinations play a vital role in keeping pets healthy, protecting them against preventable diseases that could threaten their well-being. We prioritize a personalized approach to vaccinations, ensuring that each pet’s protocol aligns with their unique lifestyle, environment, and health needs. By tailoring our schedule with both routine and lifestyle vaccines, we offer comprehensive protection that adapts as your pet grows, changes environments, or faces new health challenges. Our vaccination protocol not only reduces the number of injections with combination vaccines but also emphasizes comfort and ease, making the process smoother and less stressful for pets and pet parents alike.

ur vaccines are grouped into two categories to best meet each pet’s needs:

  • Routine Vaccines (aka Core Vaccines): Essential for every pet to protect against widespread infectious diseases, such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus in dogs or feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia in cats.
  • Lifestyle Vaccines (aka Non-Core Vaccines): Tailored based on your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risk. These include vaccinations for leptospirosis, bordetella, or feline leukemia, which may be necessary if your pet frequently interacts with other pets, spends time outdoors, or travels.

We’re here to address all your questions and make sure your pet’s vaccines are right for them.

Your Questions Answered

Why Choose Our Protocol?

Veterinarian conducting annual wellness exam in multi-dog household

Understanding the unique needs of each pet:

  • Lifestyle Assessment: Our vaccination schedule is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We begin with a thorough evaluation of your pet’s lifestyle to understand potential exposure risks. For instance, pets that frequent dog parks, grooming salons, or are in contact with wildlife may require different vaccinations compared to those that stay indoors.
  • Geographical Considerations: Different regions have varying prevalence of certain diseases. By factoring in geographic location, we can tailor a vaccination protocol that protects against local disease threats effectively. For example, Lyme disease is more common in certain areas, necessitating vaccination in pets residing or traveling to those regions.
  • Health and Age Factors: Your pet’s age, health status, and medical history play crucial roles in determining their vaccination needs. Puppies and kittens require a different vaccination strategy compared to adult or senior pets, while pets with certain health conditions may need altered schedules to ensure safety without compromising immunity.
  • Environmental Influences: If your pet interacts with other animals frequently or has outdoor access, they may be more prone to certain infections, influencing the need for specific lifestyle vaccines like Bordetella or Leptospirosis.

Ongoing Adjustments: As your pet’s lifestyle and health status evolve, so does their vaccination plan. Regular check-ups allow us to update and adapt their vaccination schedule to continue providing optimal protection.

Efficiency and Comfort in Vaccination Protocols

  • Fewer Injections, More Coverage: Combination vaccines are designed to protect against multiple diseases with a single shot. This efficiency reduces the number of needle pricks your pet experiences, which can significantly decrease the stress and discomfort associated with vaccination visits.
  • Streamlined Vaccination Process: Administering combination vaccines also means fewer appointments are needed, saving time for both the pet owner and the pet while ensuring all necessary vaccinations are up to date in a timely manner.
  • Reduced Handling Stress: Less frequent handling and restraint are required during the vaccination process with combination vaccines. This is particularly beneficial for pets that are anxious or fearful of veterinary visits, as it helps to minimize the overall stress during the procedure.
  • Comprehensive Immunity: Despite the fewer injections, combination vaccines do not compromise on the breadth of immunity. They are carefully formulated to ensure pets receive adequate protection against multiple diseases efficiently.

How Often Do You Recommend Vaccinations?

Cat receiving a vaccine

Puppies/Kittens: Begins at 6-8 weeks, boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks.

Adult Dogs: Core vaccines annually/tri-annually, depending on the vaccine type and local requirements.

Adult Cats: Annually, with specifics varying based on exposure risk and lifestyle needs.

What Are The Benefits Of Your Vaccination Schedule?

Pitbull about to receive a vaccination

Benefits of Our Schedule

  • Familiarity and Comfort: Performing vaccinations at home or within our mobile unit reduces stress by keeping the pet in a familiar setting. Pets tend to be more relaxed and less anxious in environments they recognize, which can make the vaccination process smoother and less intimidating.
  • Reduced Travel Stress: Eliminating the need to travel to a clinic can significantly decrease the stress associated with car rides, waiting rooms, and unfamiliar smells and sounds that often cause anxiety in pets.
  • Personalized Attention: Being in their comfort zone allows our veterinarian to observe the pet’s natural behavior and adjust their approach accordingly, providing a more personalized and gentle handling experience.

Fewer Injections Per Visit with Combination Vaccines

  • Combination Vaccines: We utilize combination vaccines whenever possible. These vaccines consolidate multiple antigens into a single injection, thereby reducing the number of injections your pet receives in one visit, which can help to lower their stress levels.
  • Efficiency and Comfort: Administering fewer injections not only makes the process quicker but also reduces the discomfort associated with multiple needle pricks in one session.
  • Decreased Handling: With fewer injections, the need for restraint is minimized. This lessens the handling time, which can further ease stress, especially for pets that are sensitive about being held or restrained.

Why Are Routine Vaccines Important?

Routine vaccines protect your pet against major infectious diseases that are commonly present in the environment.

  • It is important to update your pet’s vaccines annually or tri-annually because immunity can wane over time, and booster vaccinations help ensure that your pet remains protected against these potentially life-threatening diseases.

How Do I Know Whether My Pet Needs Lifestyle Vaccines?

Veterinarian with cat

Our veterinarian will assess your pet’s environment, travel habits, and interactions with other animals to determine the necessity of lifestyle vaccines. For example,

  • The Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccine is recommended for cats who are allowed outdoors or for those that live with other cats, particularly if their playmates are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination histories.
  • The Canine Influenza (Dog Flu) vaccine is recommended for dogs that frequent places where other dogs gather, such as dog parks, daycare, boarding facilities, or grooming salons, especially in areas with reported outbreaks.
  • The Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough) vaccine is recommended for dogs exposed to boarding situations, daycare, dog parks, or dog shows, where they may encounter other dogs in close proximity.
  • The Lyme vaccine is recommended for dogs that live in or visit areas known for tick infestations, especially if they participate in outdoor activities like hiking and camping or reside in regions with a high prevalence of tick-borne diseases.
  • The Leptospirosis vaccine is recommended for dogs that spend time in areas with standing water, muddy environments, or regions where leptospirosis is known to occur. It’s particularly important for dogs that engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or swimming, where they may come into contact with contaminated water sources that wild animals have urinated in.

Why Are Some Vaccinations Annual & Others Tri-Annual?

Puppy about to receive a vaccine

This depends on the vaccine type, your pet’s lifestyle, and local regulations to ensure optimal immunity and legal compliance.

How Do Vaccinations Work to Protect My Pet?

Vet tech with cat during home visit

Vaccinations help to stimulate your pet’s immune system to recognize and fight specific infectious agents. They provide immunity without causing the disease itself.

Are There Any Side Effects of Vaccinations I should Be Aware Of?

Dog about to receive a vaccination

Most pets experience minimal or no side effects. Mild reactions such as slight swelling at the injection site or temporary lethargy are common. Severe reactions are rare but should be addressed immediately.

Is It Safe for All Pets to be Vaccinated?

Vet tech with cat during a home visit

While vaccinations are safe for the majority of pets, certain medical conditions or allergies can affect vaccine administration. Our veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s health before proceeding.

Why Do Some Vaccines Require Boosters While Others Don’t?

German shepherd getting blood drawn

Booster shots are needed to maintain or extend immunity from initial vaccinations. The schedule depends on the specific vaccine and its duration of effectiveness.

At WoofDoctor on Wheels, we’re happy to provide a titer test to any concerned pet parent who’d like to confirm whether booster shots are indeed necessary. A titer test is a blood test for cats and dogs that measures antibody levels to assess immunity against core diseases. For any pet with a titer test indicating the pet still has immunity for a core vaccine, delaying further boosters is provided as an option to the pet parent.

  • How it works: A veterinarian takes a blood sample to measure your pet’s antibody levels against specific viruses included in core vaccines.
  • What it means: A positive titer result means your pet has sufficient antibodies for protection, while a negative result indicates a booster shot may be necessary.
  • Benefits: Titer testing can help reduce the risk of over-vaccination and minimize potential side effects from unnecessary vaccinations.
  • How often to test: Though annual vaccinations aren’t always needed, some recommend yearly titer tests as a safer alternative.

Note: Titer tests are not a substitute for rabies vaccinations, as rabies vaccines are required by law in most municipalities, and some countries require a rabies titer after vaccination for entry.

Can Vaccinations Be Given To Older Pets?

Yes, older pets can and should be vaccinated to maintain immunity, with schedules adjusted based on their health status and lifestyle.

What Is The Difference Between Core & Non-Core Vaccines?

Kitten

Core vaccines are essential for all pets due to the widespread nature of the diseases they protect against. Non-core vaccines are given based on individual risk factors such as geographical location and lifestyle.

How Do I Know When My Pet Is Due for Vaccinations?

Veterinarian working on computer in a mobile clinic. Dog sitting next to vet

Our clinic maintains a vaccination schedule and will send reminders when your pet is due for their next set of vaccinations.

You can also check your pet’s vaccination status and upcoming due dates using our pet parent app.- iOS

Can My Pet Be Vaccinated If They Are Not Feeling Well?

It is generally advised to vaccinate pets only when they are in good health to ensure their immune system can respond effectively to the vaccine.

Is It Safe to Vaccinate Pregnant or Nursing Pets?

Vaccination in pregnant or nursing pets is typically avoided unless absolutely necessary, as it could pose a risk to the mother or offspring.

Where Can I Learn More?

To read more from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA):

If you’d like to schedule an appointment or vaccinations for your pet, please call or text us at (843) 966-3362. You can also schedule an appointment online.

 

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