Puppies receive protective antibodies from their mothers which provide a temporary immunity against infectious viruses and bacteria. These antibodies wear off in most puppies between 8 and 16 weeks of age. If these maternal antibodies are at high enough levels when a vaccine is given, they will destroy the vaccine virus and it will be ineffective. Vaccines do not give immediate immunity; they work by stimulating the puppy’s immune system to produce antibodies. Therefore, to ensure that a puppy develops protections as soon as possible, we recommend that DHPP vaccinations begin at about 8 weeks of age and be given every 4 weeks until the puppy is 4 months (16 weeks) old. The next booster is after one year, and from thereon every three years. DHPP stands for distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. One rabies vaccination should be given at 4 months of age, boostered at one year, then every 3 years. If your dog has contact with wildlife, livestock, or stagnant water (such as agricultural irrigation), a leptospirosis vaccine is also advised. This bacterial disease may cause liver and kidney failure. The leptospirosis vaccine is given as an initial series of two shots, four weeks apart (once a puppy is at least 12 weeks old), followed by annual boosters. Bortdetella, or kennel cough, can help be prevented by vaccines given every 6 months to dogs at risk (such as those that frequent the dog park or are staying in a kennel). In addition, there is a vaccine available to help prevent disease caused from rattlesnake bites. This is given as an initial series of two vaccines, four weeks apart (once a puppy is at least 12 weeks old), followed by annual boosters. It is important to realize that the rattlesnake vaccine does not fully protect a dog that has been bit by a rattlesnake, and that emergency care is still needed.
Kittens receive protective antibodies from their mothers which provide a temporary immunity against infectious viruses and bacteria. These antibodies wear off in most kittens between 8 and 12 weeks of age. If these maternal antibodies are at high enough levels when a vaccine is given, they will destroy the vaccine virus and it will be ineffective. Vaccines do not give immediate immunity; they work by stimulating the kitten’s immune system to produce antibodies. Therefore, to insure that a kitten develops protections as soon as possible, we have the following recommendations. FVRCP vaccinations should be given at 8 and 12 weeks old or at 12 and 16 weeks old. The next booster is after one year, and from thereon every three years. FVRCP stands for feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpes), calicivirus, and panleukopenia; this vaccine is sometimes referred to as the “feline distemper” vaccine. Feline leukemia virus vaccinations should be given to cats that will be going outdoors or live with another leukemia-positive cat; vaccines are given at 12 and 16 weeks old and then boostered annually. One rabies vaccination should be given at 16 weeks of age, then boostered annually.