Recommended Vaccines

What vaccines does my pet need?

We recommend that you talk with your regular, personal vet about this subject. Determining whether or not to vaccinate and when and how often is a personal decision between you and your personal veterinarian, but we can provide you with the following information:

Cats

Feline FVRCP Combination: The distemper vaccine, included as part of a three or four way vaccine depending on what it contains, protects your cat against three or four different diseases common to cats, including common upper respiratory diseases that cats can catch even if they live indoors. (The vaccine The PAWS Clinic uses protects against Rhinotracheitis, Calici, and Panleukopenia.) This vaccine is often recommended if your cat is boarded, hospitalized, may come into contact with other animals, etc. Many veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities require this vaccination. It is an annual vaccination unless otherwise noted by your regular veterinarian. The first time your cat receives the three or four way vaccine, the vaccine may need to be boostered (repeated) 3-4 weeks later, but you should check with your regular, personal vet to find out for sure. This vaccine is an additional $15 at the time of the spay/neuter surgery.

Rabies: This vaccine is recommended for cats four months or older. Animals are not considered immunized for at least 28 days after the initial or primary vaccination is administered. Rabies vaccines are required by Michigan law and therefore we require that all patients receive the vaccine unless they are currently up to date. It's a good idea to vaccinate indoor cats for rabies too in case your cat ever slips outside or comes into contact with wildlife. The first time your cat is vaccinated for rabies, the vaccine will be good for one year. Every time your cat receives the rabies vaccine booster after the first time, the vaccine will be good for 1-3 years. This vaccine is an additional $12 at the time of the spay/neuter surgery.

Feline Leukemia: This vaccine is often recommended by veterinarians for cats who go outdoors or are in contact with other cats. This vaccine is designed to help protect cats from exposure to Leukemia and is given in a series 3-4 weeks apart. It is recommended that your cat get a FeLV test (especially if she's a stray cat) before the vaccine is administered. The vaccination and testing will need to be done at your private veterinary clinic because The PAWS Clinic does not provide these services.

Dogs

Rabies: This vaccine is recommended for dogs four months or older. Animals are not considered immunized for at least 28 days after the initial or primary vaccination is administered. Rabies vaccines are required by Michigan law and therefore we require that all patients receive the vaccine unless they are currently up to date. The first time your dog is vaccinated for rabies, the vaccine will be good for one year. Every time your dog receives the rabies vaccine booster after the first time, the vaccine will be good for 1-3 years. This vaccine is an additional $12 at the time of spay/neuter surgery.

Bordetella: This vaccine protects your dog against kennel cough, a highly contagious cough commonly seen in boarding or grooming situations. It is often recommended if your dog is boarded, hospitalized, may come into contact with other animals, etc. Many veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities require this vaccination. Depending on the type of vaccine given (SQ injection or IN), this vaccine may need to be boostered (repeated), but you should check with your regular, personal vet to find out for sure. This vaccine is an additional $15 at the time of the spay/neuter surgery.