Vaccinations
At Derry Village Animal Clinic, in Mississauga, Ontario, we emphasize preventative care as fundamental to your pet's well-being. Vaccinations are essential for protecting against a range of diseases such as Parvovirus, Distemper, Lyme Disease, and Rabies. Starting vaccinations early, typically at 6-8 weeks for puppies and kittens, and continuing with booster shots throughout their lives, ensures optimal immune system support. Vaccines are administered through injections, orally, or intra-nasally after a thorough consultation and examination by our veterinarians to ensure safe and effective protection for your pet.
Puppy & Kitten Vaccines
Puppies and kittens require a series of vaccinations during their first four months of life. They initially receive antibodies from their mother’s milk which protect them, but these can interfere with vaccinations. Therefore, vaccinations are administered in a series starting at 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters given at 12 and 16 weeks.
Canine Core Vaccines:
DA2PP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza): Given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. Boosters are needed yearly.
Rabies: Given at 16 weeks of age and requires yearly boosters.
Canine Additional Vaccines: Bordetella (Kennel Cough Vaccine): Given once annually, recommended for dogs in contact with others of unknown vaccination status.
Leptospirosis Vaccine: Given in two doses, initially and then 3-4 weeks later, followed by yearly boosters.
Lyme Vaccine: Given in two doses initially, then yearly, recommended for dogs in high-risk areas.
Feline Core Vaccines:
FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia): Given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. Boosters are needed yearly.
Rabies: Given at 16 weeks of age and requires yearly boosters.
Feline Additional Vaccines: Feline Leukemia Vaccine: Recommended for outdoor cats, given initially and followed by yearly boosters.
For deworming, we recommend treatments at each visit due to common parasite infections in young pets. Your breeder may have started initial vaccinations and deworming, but continuing this with us ensures comprehensive care for your puppy or kitten.
Canine Core Vaccines:
DA2PP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza): Given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. Boosters are needed yearly.
Rabies: Given at 16 weeks of age and requires yearly boosters.
Canine Additional Vaccines: Bordetella (Kennel Cough Vaccine): Given once annually, recommended for dogs in contact with others of unknown vaccination status.
Leptospirosis Vaccine: Given in two doses, initially and then 3-4 weeks later, followed by yearly boosters.
Lyme Vaccine: Given in two doses initially, then yearly, recommended for dogs in high-risk areas.
Feline Core Vaccines:
FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia): Given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. Boosters are needed yearly.
Rabies: Given at 16 weeks of age and requires yearly boosters.
Feline Additional Vaccines: Feline Leukemia Vaccine: Recommended for outdoor cats, given initially and followed by yearly boosters.
For deworming, we recommend treatments at each visit due to common parasite infections in young pets. Your breeder may have started initial vaccinations and deworming, but continuing this with us ensures comprehensive care for your puppy or kitten.
Canine Vaccines
Core Vaccines for Dogs
Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs due to their widespread prevalence and potential severity:
- Canine Distemper Virus: Transmitted through urine, feces, vomit, and secretions. Causes flu-like symptoms followed by severe liver and nervous system damage, leading to seizures and often fatal outcomes.
- Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis): Transmitted through bodily fluids, causing severe liver damage and is almost always fatal.
- Parainfluenza: Transmitted through bodily fluids, leading to mild to severe respiratory disease such as coughing and pneumonia.
- Rabies: Transmitted through bodily fluids from bites, affecting the nervous system with behavior changes and eventual death. Vaccinating against rabies is a legal requirement in Ontario.
Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs
Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle and risk factors:
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Combination virus and bacteria transmitted through casual contact and air, causing a persistent cough that can progress to pneumonia.
- Leptospirosis: Bacterial infection transmitted through urine of wild animals and contaminated water, damaging the liver and kidneys.
- Lyme Disease: Transmitted by ticks, causing lethargy, lameness, joint swelling, and potentially kidney disease.
Incidents of Leptospirosis have spiked in recent years, so vaccination against this disease is strongly recommended. If your dog hikes or lives near wooded areas, consider vaccinating against Lyme disease as well. Lepto and Lyme vaccines are administered separately from core vaccines.
Feline Vaccines
Core Vaccines for Cats
Core vaccines are recommended for all cats due to their widespread prevalence and potential severity:
Non-Core Vaccines for Cats
Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle and risk factors:
Core vaccines are recommended for all cats due to their widespread prevalence and potential severity:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpesvirus): Transmitted through casual contact and air, causing eye infections, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat.
- Feline Calicivirus: Transmitted through casual contact, causing severe respiratory signs including pneumonia and affecting joints.
- Feline Panleukopenia: Transmitted through stool, vomit, and secretions, causing severe gastrointestinal signs and often fatal outcomes.
- Rabies: Transmitted through bodily fluids from bites, affecting the nervous system with behavior changes and eventual death. As with dogs, vaccinating cats against rabies is a legal requirement in Ontario.
Non-Core Vaccines for Cats
Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle and risk factors:
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Often transmitted through bites, sexual activity, and saliva, infecting white blood cells and causing poor immune function.
