Let’s Dig Into Vaccines!

Pet vaccines do not last a lifetime! In fact, most pet vaccines only last 1-3 years. Your pet’s lifestyle factors will also influence how often he or she needs booster vaccines.

For adult dogs, rabies vaccines come in one-year and three-year versions. Distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus, as well as most vaccines, require a booster dose at least once every three years.

For adult cats, rabies vaccines are required annually or every three years, depending on the vaccine used. Herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus all require re-administration once every three years.

Rabies!

Rabies is a nearly 100% fatal viral disease affecting the brain, spread through bites, with no cure once symptoms appear, making vaccination crucial for pet survival, public safety (as it's zoonotic), and legal compliance. The vaccine must be given after 12 weeks of age. A booster is given one year later, then every 3 years as long as the vaccine is still current. Should you or your pet get bite or scratched by an animal with rabies it can spread to you & your family. Always seek emergency medicine immediately - if exposed it can be life threatening!

Broward County law requires both dogs and cats to wear an official Broward County Rabies Registration Tag. The tag should be worn by your pet at all times so that he can be identified in case he gets lost from home.

Dogs and cats four months or older must be registered.

All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies to be registered. A copy of a current Rabies Certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, must be presented at the time of purchase.

If a licensed veterinarian has determined that a rabies vaccination will be detrimental to your pet’s health, our doctor will issue a Waiver Certificate. This Certificate must be signed by the veterinarian and sent to Broward County Animal Care. However, a Pet Registration Tag must still be purchased.

Vaccines

Canine Distemper is uncommon but can cause severe GI, respiratory, or neurologic disease—and can be fatal. There is no direct “cure”— only supportive care.

Parvovirus causes extreme vomiting, bloody diarrhea, immune suppression, and often sepsis. Most untreated puppies die, and even with aggressive care about 25% don’t survive. Again, there is no direct “cure”— only symptom management.

Distemper and Parvo vaccines are given as a combo starting at 6–8 weeks, then every 3 weeks until 16+ weeks, with a booster at 1 year and then every 3 years. Following this schedule is critical for protection.

Bordetella (kennel cough) has many causes, but vaccines protect against the most serious ones. Vaccinated dogs can still get mild cases. It’s given yearly for dogs exposed to other dogs (kennels, parks, etc.).

Leptospirosis can cause kidney and liver failure if exposed to the virus. Dogs that have been exposed to natural standing water or anywhere where rats are present are at risk. The vaccine is given during the last two puppy visits, then yearly.

For Felines We recommend starting vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age, continuing until the kitten is 4 months old. The core vaccines (those that are recommended for ALL cats) are feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), and feline calicivirus (FCV), we offer these vaccinations as well as Rabies.

Feline Rhinotracheitis, like Feline Calicivirus is a respiratory infection and can become chronic if a kitten gets sick, so this vaccine is recommended.

Additionally, we recommend the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination. Granted, indoor cats are not at a lot of risk for this disease, but you can never be 100% certain that the kitten will never go outside or be introduced to a new kitten at a later date.