Here at Roosevelt Veterinary Center, we believe in the importance of preventing diseases before they happen and allowing your pet to enjoy a happy and healthy life. Following the American Animal Hospital Association’s guidelines for vaccination of dogs and cats, we offer several vaccines that are important for all pets and several that may be important for your pet depending on his or her lifestyle.
Why vaccinate?
Vaccines help prepare the body’s immune system to fight the invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens which look like the disease-causing organism to the immune system but don’t actually cause the disease. When the vaccine is introduced to the body, the immune system is mildly stimulated. If a pet is ever exposed to the real disease, the immune system is now prepared to recognize and fight it off entirely or reduce the severity of the illness.
Rabies Vaccine (Cats & Dogs)*
*Required by New York and Connecticut State Law.
Rabies is a dangerous and deadly viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in infected animals. Rabies vaccination is extremely important and life-saving and is required by New York and CT state laws for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. The first rabies vaccination should be administered no sooner than 3 months of age and no later than four months of age. Your pet will then receive a rabies vaccination booster the following year and then every three years thereafter.
Humans or animals can contract rabies if they are bitten by an infected animal. Infected saliva from the bite can enter the bloodstream, leading to infection and, in many cases, death. For humans, rabies is nearly always fatal if vaccination is not administered prior to the onset of severe symptoms.
The state local health department laws are extremely strict regarding the vaccination and veterinary care of pets who may be exposed to rabies. If an unvaccinated pet who may have been exposed to rabies has bitten a human, the health department may require that pet to be humanely euthanized and sent for rabies testing. If an unvaccinated pet may have been exposed to rabies but has not bitten a human, that pet must be quarantined for six months.
Even if an unvaccinated pet has never been exposed to rabies, if that pet bites a person, the pet must be quarantined for 10 days and monitored. If the pet becomes sick and exhibits signs of rabies during this period, the pet must be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing. Sadly, our veterinarian has seen far too many cases where an unvaccinated family pet scuffled with an oddly acting raccoon in the backyard, and the owner who tried to break up the scuffle was bitten. In these sad cases, the family pet had to be euthanized for rabies testing. Our pet hospital strongly recommends that all pet owners comply with state law and vaccinate their pets to avoid the untimely death of their pet or harming the health of another human. You can learn more about state requirements and pet vaccinations at veterinary hospitals by visiting www.health.state.ny.us/diseases.
K9 Only Vaccines
Vaccine | What Is It? | When Is It Given? |
4-in-1 DHPP Vaccine | Our veterinarians recommend this vaccine, which protects against canine distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza, for all dogs. Because these diseases are extremely contagious and can easily be fatal, all dogs are at risk. Even indoor dogs can contract parvovirus if the virus is brought home on an unsuspecting owner’s shoes or clothes. | Initial series of three shots: the first at 8 weeks of age, second at 12 weeks, third at 16 weeks and lasts for a year. |
Leptospirosis Vaccine | “Lepto” is a bacterial infection of the liver and kidneys. Not only can lepto be fatal to dogs, but it can also be transmitted from dogs to human family members. Dogs contract lepto from exposure to contaminated outdoor water sources so any dog with access to lakes, creeks, or even puddles should be vaccinated. | Combined with the Lyme Vaccine - initial series is two shots: the first at 12 weeks and second at 16 weeks which lasts for a year. This vaccine should be repeated annually. |
Lyme Vaccine | Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and is very common in New York and Connecticut. Symptoms in dogs include limping, fever, and loss of appetite. Rarely, Lyme disease can cause life-threatening kidney failure. We recommend the vaccine for dogs who are known to get ticks or spend time in the woods or grass. | Combined with the Leptospirosis Vaccine - initial series is two shots: the first at 12 weeks and second at 16 weeks which lasts for a year. This vaccine should be repeated annually. |
Bordetella bronchiseptica (“kennel cough”) | Kennel cough is a contagious upper respiratory infection (a.k.a. “cold”) of dogs. If your dog stays at the kennel or goes to the groomer, the dog park, or anywhere else with lots of dogs, then he or she should be vaccinated. | Depending on the level of your dog’s risk, the vaccine can be repeated every 6-12 months. |
Canine Influenza (H3N8) | The canine “flu” causes severe upper and lower respiratory disease which is fatal in 1-5% of dogs. Outbreaks are not common but have been reported in kennels in the Dutchess/Putnam/Fairfield county areas. Some kennels have started requiring this vaccine. | The initial series is two shots: the first at 12 weeks and second at 16 weeks which lasts for a year. This vaccine should be repeated annually. |
Feline Only Vaccines
Vaccine | What Is It? | When Is It Given? |
3-in-1 FVRCP Vaccine | This vaccine protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus-1), calicivirus, and panleukopenia. These diseases are highly contagious and can be fatal, especially for kittens. Although it is often referred to as “feline distemper,” panleukopenia of cats is actually very similar to parvovirus in dogs. The vaccine is about 60% effective for calicivirus, 50% effective for herpesvirus, and nearly 100% effective for panleukopenia, the most fatal of the three diseases. | Initial series of three shots: the first at 8 weeks of age, second at 12 weeks, third at 16 weeks and lasts for a year. |
Feline Leukemia Vaccine | Feline leukemia is spread through direct contact between cats. For those cats who become infected, it is generally 1-3 years before they develop signs of illness in the form of fatal cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma. This disease affects approximately 3% of cats in the northeastern US. Any cat who goes outside without direct supervision should be vaccinated. Cats should be tested for feline leukemia before vaccinating. | Initial series is two shots: the first at 12 weeks and the second at 16 weeks which lasts for a year. |