Puppy and Kitten Vaccination Guide from Our Carol Stream Veterinarian

Although an animal hospital provides emergency care, there are certain aspects of pet care such as pet vaccinations that can also be done at an animal hospital like Carol Stream Animal Hospital. Our Carol Stream veterinarian helps animals stay up-to-date on the pet vaccination schedule in order to ensure Fido and Fluffy are healthy for many years to come. 

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

The core pet vaccinations for puppies include canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus, canine distemper and rabies. Before the pooch turns 16 weeks, the pet should start receiving the canine parvovirus, distemper virus and adenovirus vaccines. We recommend getting your playful pup one dose of the modified-live virus (MLV) CPV, CDV and CAV-2 starting at six to eight weeks of age. The dog will need at least three doses if you start getting him or her the vaccine before the age of 16 weeks. Doses must be given three to four weeks apart. The puppy should receive the final booster no sooner than 16 weeks of age. If you begin the vaccines when the pooch is older than 16 weeks, he or she will only need two doses given three to four weeks apart. Puppies will need a booster when they turn one, and they should get boosters every three years after that. Puppies also need the rabies vaccine, which is given in two doses – the first given no sooner than four months with the booster given 12 months later. Other vaccines are given, but they're not considered core vaccines, so you'll need to talk to Dr. Carol Stream to determine which other vaccines are beneficial to your canine. 

Kitten Vaccination Schedule 

A kitten pet vaccination schedule should begin with the feline getting vaccinated for the feline herpesvirus, feline panleukopenia and feline calicivirus. Before 16 weeks of age, kittens should receive a modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine for these diseases. It's recommended that vets give the vaccine starting at six to eight weeks, and then it should be given to them every three to four weeks. The final booster should not be given before 16 weeks. Cats that begin getting the vaccines after 16 weeks of age should be given only two doses. A booster should be given at one year, and then the pet should be revaccinated every three years after that. Kittens should receive a single dose of a killed or recombinant rabies virus vaccine at 12 to 16 weeks of age. Felines need to receive boosters annually after year after the first. 

Carol Stream Animal Hospital operates on an appointment only basis, so contact us today at 630-426-7388 to schedule your pet's vaccinations.

Get your pet the necessary vaccines with your local Carol Stream vet today!