Pet Vaccinations

Many diseases affecting dogs and cats are preventable through proper pet vaccinations. From your first visit to Crawfordsville Family Vet, we’ll make sure your pet is up-to-date on their vaccines and put on a schedule that makes sure they continue to stay up-to-date.

Vaccine Schedule

Depending on your pet’s age, medical history, lifestyle, and environment, our veterinarians will discuss the best course of action in regard to your pet’s vaccine schedule. You can bring your cat or dog in as early as eight weeks for their first round of vaccines.

You’ll need to bring your pet in every few weeks over the course of about three months for boosters after they receive the initial vaccines. Once your pet finishes the initial vaccine series, they will receive boosters every 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine and lifestyle of your fur baby.

Vaccines and Side Effects

You may worry about the safety of vaccines for your pets. Most pets don’t experience any side effects. Possible side effects vary based on the vaccination but most often are mild and may include fatigue, fever, and/or hives. Our veterinarians at Crawfordsville Family Vet will screen your pet thoroughly to ensure the vaccines are safe for your pets. Exams are recommended annually for healthy adult pets and every six months for pets over the age of 9 years. Pets may rarely have life-threatening reactions to vaccines. In most cases, the vaccine’s benefits far outweigh the risks, but our veterinarians are ready to help you make the best decision for your pet.

Cat Vaccinations

The core vaccines for cats include panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline herpesvirus type I, feline calicivirus, and rabies. Although none are mandatory in California, they protect your kitty from serious health issues. You may also want to get your cat vaccinated for the feline leukemia virus, depending on your pet’s lifestyle. During your feline’s visit, we’ll discuss their lifestyle and determine which vaccines they should have.

Dog Vaccinations

Core dog vaccinations include Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Bordetella, and Rabies. By law, dogs must have a rabies vaccination (starting at 12-16 weeks) and receive boosters every three years. We’ll discuss your dog’s risk and determine if they should also receive the Canine Influenza, Leptospira bacteria, and/or Lyme vaccine, depending on your pup’s social life.