Vaccinations

A pet receiving a vaccination in District Veterinary Hospital - Brookland in fredericksburg, VA

Young animals are like kids–it’s a never-ending job to keep them safe and happy. Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but very important way to protect his or her health. In addition to preventing many life-threatening illnesses, pet vaccinations can prevent diseases prevalent in wildlife and those that can be passed to humans. It’s important to administer vaccinations when pets are puppies and kittens because their young immune systems are still developing and need protection to stay healthy.

While any medical treatment involves some degree of risk, in the case of vaccinations, the benefits far outweigh any potential side effects. Adverse reactions are rare and usually mild and short-term when they do occur.

It’s also important to note that even pets who live primarily indoors should be vaccinated, as they can still be exposed to a disease. Your England Run Veterinary Clinic veterinarian can advise you which vaccinations are required or recommended for your pet based on age, health, and lifestyle.

Core Pet Vaccines

Which vaccines should your pet have? What vaccines does your dog need? “Core” vaccines are those recommended—and possibly mandated by law—for most pets. Core vaccines include:

  • Rabies (dogs and cats)
  • DA2PPV – Distemper, Hepatitis, Adenovirus 2, Parvo and Parainfluenza (dogs)
  • FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (cats)

Recommended Pet Vaccines

Other non-core, but highly suggested vaccinations for cats include FIV for feline immunodeficiency virus and FeLV to protect against feline leukemia. For dog vaccines, bordetella and canine influenza shots are recommended if they frequent dog parks, boarding kennels, or any place where they’re socializing with other canines.

Schedule Pet Vaccinations in Fredericksburg, VA

For more information about our pet vaccines or to get your dog or cat vaccinated in Fredericksburg, call us at 540-370-0237 or schedule an appointment online.