Why We Recommend Cat & Dog Vaccinations in Plant City, FL

Vaccines give your pet crucial protection against harmful diseases, such as rabies, Lyme disease, and distemper. Cat and dog vaccinations are designed to bolster your pet’s immune system. They increase resistance to infection, and better equip your companion to fight and recover from illness if they do become infected. Here in Plant City, FL, we recommend cat and dog vaccinations as effective protection for both pets and humans in our community. Some animal diseases can be spread to people, and by vaccinating dogs and cats, we also protect humans.

Plant City Animal Hospital provides custom vaccination plans to suit each pet’s individual needs. Contact us to set up a vaccine appointment today!

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What Makes Cat & Dog Vaccines Effective?

Pet vaccines function like human vaccines. They trigger the immune system to react and defend itself by releasing antibodies to combat the intruder (the vaccine). Vaccines contain a killed or modified form of a virus, which is intended to train the immune system to resist infection. Dog and cat vaccines are quite effective at protecting pets, but they must be given at regular intervals throughout your pet’s life to keep their immunity strong.

Our Cat & Dog Vaccine Timelines

Plant City Animal Hospital abides by the American Animal Hospital Association’s vaccination guidelines for dogs and cats. Below are our recommended timelines for core (essential) and non-core (lifestyle-based) vaccines.

Canine Core Vaccines

DA2PP – The distemper booster series should be given as early as 6-8 weeks. Boosters required every 3 weeks until puppy reaches 16 weeks of age. After that, your dog will be revaccinated a year later, then every 3 years after that.
Rabies – Rabies is required by law for dogs. The first dose is typically given at 12 weeks of age. The next rabies shot is given within a year of the first dose, then every 1-3 years after, depending on which rabies vaccine you choose for your pet.

Canine Noncore Vaccines

Bordetella and/or parainfluenza – A single dose of the Bordetella vaccine is given between 8-16 weeks of age. The second dose is usually given within a year of the first dose, then every year going forward.
Lyme – The Lyme vaccine can be given to your pet at 8 weeks old. They will need 2 more doses, given 3 weeks apart, and then one booster every year going forward.
Leptospirosis – Same as Lyme.
Influenza – Same as Lyme and lepto.

Feline Core Vaccines

FVRCP – The feline distemper vaccine is recommended at 6-8 weeks of age. Kittens should then receive a booster every 3 weeks, until they are 16 weeks old. They should be revaccinated within a year of the initial series, then every 3 years going forward.
Rabies – Kittens should receive their first rabies shot at about 12 weeks old. The next dose is given exactly 1 year later, then once every 1-3 years thereafter.

Feline Noncore Vaccines

Why We Recommend Cat & Dog Vaccinations in Plant City, FL

What Makes Cat & Dog Vaccines Effective?

Our Cat & Dog Vaccine Timelines

1906 James L. Redman Parkway
Plant City, FL 33563

(813) 752-3073

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
(Every Other)
Sunday: Closed

Why We Recommend Cat & Dog Vaccinations in Plant City, FL

What Makes Cat & Dog Vaccines Effective?

Our Cat & Dog Vaccine Timelines

1906 James L. Redman ParkwayPlant City, FL 33563

(813) 752-3073

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm (Every Other)Sunday: Closed

1906 James L. Redman Parkway
Plant City, FL 33563

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
(Every Other)
Sunday: Closed