Bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home is an incredibly exciting experience. Those tiny paws and boundless energy quickly fill your life with joy. But amidst the cuddles and playtime, a crucial responsibility emerges: protecting your new companion from preventable diseases. This is where vaccinations play their vital role. Dr. Wendy Vet care understands that figuring out the right vaccination schedule can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time pet owners. We make the process simple, convenient, and stress-free by offering dedicated Mobile Veterinary Services right to your door in Cochrane, Airdrie, and Calgary.
The Foundation of Health: New Puppy and Kitten Exams
Before any vaccine injection, your new pet needs a thorough physical assessment. The New puppy and kitten exams are far more than just a quick check-up; they are the bedrock of a successful, long-term health plan. During this initial visit, our mobile veterinary team performs a complete nose-to-tail examination. We check for congenital issues, look for external and internal parasites, and discuss nutrition, training, and socialization. Crucially, we establish a baseline of health.
Consequently, this comprehensive exam ensures your puppy or kitten is healthy enough to receive vaccinations. Administering a vaccine to a pet who is already fighting an underlying infection or has a fever can compromise the vaccine’s effectiveness and potentially cause an adverse reaction. Therefore, the exam is a prerequisite for a safe and effective vaccination protocol.
When to Start: The Critical Window for Protection
The timing of the first vaccines is critical and directly relates to the temporary immunity puppies and kittens receive from their mothers. Newborns consume colostrum, the first milk, which provides maternal antibodies. These antibodies offer fantastic temporary protection against many diseases. However, these maternal antibodies gradually decline, leaving the young animal vulnerable.
This decline typically happens between 6 and 16 weeks of age. We must start the vaccination series before the maternal antibodies drop too low, yet not so early that the existing antibodies neutralize the vaccine. This is why veterinarians recommend a series of vaccines, spaced a few weeks apart.
Puppy’s First Line of Defense: Core Vaccines
For puppies, the core vaccines are essential and recommended for every dog, regardless of lifestyle or geographic location. We highly recommend starting this series around 6 to 8 weeks of age.
The core vaccine for puppies is often referred to as the DAPP or DHPP vaccine, which protects against four highly dangerous diseases:
- Distemper: A severe and often fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
- Adenovirus (Hepatitis): A virus causing infectious canine hepatitis, which damages the liver.
- Parvovirus: A highly contagious and deadly disease causing severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Parvovirus is extremely hardy in the environment.
- Parainfluenza: A respiratory virus often associated with kennel cough.
Your puppy will receive booster shots of the DAPP vaccine every 3 to 4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. This series ensures the puppy develops a strong, lasting immunity once the maternal antibodies no longer interfere.
The second core vaccine is the Rabies vaccine. Rabies is a fatal viral disease transmissible to humans and is legally required in most jurisdictions, including Alberta. Puppies generally receive their first Rabies vaccine around 12 to 16 weeks of age.
Kitten’s Essential Immunization: Core Vaccines
Kittens also require a crucial initial series of core vaccines to protect them from widespread and serious feline illnesses. We start the kitten core series, often called the FVRCP vaccine, around 6 to 8 weeks of age.
The FVRCP vaccine protects against:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus): A common, severe respiratory infection.
- Calicivirus: A respiratory virus causing oral ulcers and other symptoms.
- Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper): A highly contagious and often fatal disease that attacks the rapidly dividing cells, especially in the bone marrow and intestines.
Similarly to puppies, kittens need booster shots of the FVRCP vaccine every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old to guarantee full immunity.
Kittens also receive the Rabies vaccine between 12 and 16 weeks of age, following the necessary legal and safety guidelines.
Non-Core Vaccines: Tailored Protection
Non-core vaccines are those recommended based on your pet’s specific risk factors, lifestyle, and exposure potential. Our Mobile Veterinary Services team takes the time during the initial exam to discuss your pet’s environment thoroughly.
For Puppies:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough): Recommended for dogs who socialize frequently, attend daycare, visit dog parks, or go to grooming facilities.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease spread through the urine of wildlife. Recommended for dogs who hike, drink from puddles, or live in areas with high wildlife exposure.
For Kittens:
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): A serious, viral disease that suppresses the immune system and causes cancer. FeLV is transmitted through saliva, blood, and urine. We strongly recommend this vaccine for all kittens, as their outdoor status or exposure to other cats is often unknown during the critical early weeks. After the initial series, we recommend it primarily for cats who will go outdoors or interact with unknown cats.
The Convenience of Mobile Veterinary Care
Choosing a mobile vet for your pet’s first vaccines offers unparalleled benefits. New puppies and kittens can experience significant stress and fear during their first trips away from home, especially in a clinic setting with loud noises and strange smells.
Dr. Wendy Vet care brings the clinic to you, eliminating travel anxiety for both you and your pet. This calm, familiar home environment allows us to perform the New puppy and kitten exams and administer vaccines more smoothly and accurately. Furthermore, minimizing your pet’s exposure to potentially sick animals in a waiting room during their critical, vulnerable phase of development is a major health advantage.
We proudly serve pet families in Cochrane, Airdrie, and Calgary, making top-tier veterinary care accessible and convenient. Furthermore, we offer a range of specialized services, and you can learn more about our offerings by visiting our services page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What side effects should I watch for after the first vaccines?
Generally, puppies and kittens tolerate vaccines extremely well. However, you might observe mild, temporary side effects. These commonly include slight lethargy or tiredness, and a mild decrease in appetite lasting about 24 hours. They may also have a small, temporary swelling or mild tenderness at the injection site. However, if you notice any severe symptoms—such as facial swelling, persistent vomiting, severe hives, or difficulty breathing—contact Dr. Wendy Vet care immediately. These reactions are rare but require immediate attention.
What happens if I miss a booster shot?
Missing a booster shot interrupts the immunization process. The protective immunity your puppy or kitten needs often does not develop properly without the full series. If you realize you missed an appointment, contact us right away. We will determine the next necessary steps, which might involve restarting a portion of the series or adjusting the schedule to ensure your pet achieves full protection.
How often will my pet need vaccines after the initial series?
After completing the initial puppy or kitten series, adult pets transition to an adult vaccination schedule. Core vaccines are often administered annually or every three years, depending on the specific vaccine and provincial regulations. For example, the Rabies vaccine is typically boosted one year after the initial shot, and then every three years afterward. The DAPP/FVRCP vaccine often follows a similar triennial schedule for most components. We will provide a detailed, individualized plan at your pet’s final puppy or kitten visit.
Why is the Rabies vaccine so important?
The Rabies vaccine is vital because the disease is a fatal zoonotic disease, meaning animals transmit it to humans. Therefore, health regulations mandate the Rabies vaccine in most regions to protect public health as well as your pet. In Alberta, Rabies is a reportable disease. Protecting your pet ensures legal compliance and, most importantly, protects everyone in your household.
Are non-core vaccines really necessary?
Non-core vaccines are necessary when your pet’s lifestyle puts them at risk of exposure. We only recommend these vaccines—like Leptospirosis for a dog that hikes, or Feline Leukemia for an outdoor cat—after a careful assessment of their environment. By giving only the vaccines they need, we reduce potential risk while ensuring your companion has robust protection against all relevant threats in their specific environment.
