Cat and Dog Vaccinations in Orland Park, IL
Vaccines are a vital component in your pet’s wellness care plan. Like us, they need the extra immunity vaccinations provide to protect them from a variety of infectious diseases they might encounter in their environment. Common diseases that can affect pets include rabies, distemper, leukemia, and leptospirosis. At Midwest Animal Hospital in Orland Park, IL, we carry essential and lifestyle cat and dog vaccinations to accommodate their needs and keep them healthy. We generally recommend all vaccines for our patients, in order to provide them with the highest level of protection.
Cat and Dog Vaccinations We Offer
The following vaccines are offered at our animal hospital:
Dog Vaccines
- Rabies
- Canine distemper/hepatitis/parvo/parainfluenza (combination vaccine)
- Lyme
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella (re-vaccinate every 6 months)
- Canine influenza
- H3N8
- H3N2
Cat Vaccines
- Rabies
- Bordetella (re-vaccinate every 6 months)
- Feline leukemia
- FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis-Calicivirus-Panleukopenia (distemper)
If necessary, we can also perform vaccine titers to assess your pet’s immunity levels. However, the rabies titer is not a substitute for the rabies vaccine.
Vaccinating Puppies and Kittens
Puppies and kittens should receive their first vaccination between 6-8 weeks old. This is because after puppies and kittens are weaned, they begin to lose the antibodies they received from their mother’s milk. We start with the distemper booster series, which involves re-vaccinating for distemper every 3 weeks until your pet reaches 16 weeks of age. At 16 weeks, your pet can receive their first rabies vaccination. They should be re-vaccinated for rabies once a year.
During your pet’s wellness exam, we can discuss their overall lifestyle to determine which other vaccines they will need to stay as healthy as possible. Bordetella and influenza are usually required for boarding, grooming or going to the dog park. Lyme and lepto are recommended based on risk of exposure.
Planning Your Pet’s Vaccinations
Rabies and distemper vaccines should be given annually, as the rabies and distemper viruses can be fatal once your pet becomes infected. The Lyme vaccine should also be given annually for pets that require it. We would be more than happy to answer all of your questions about cat and dog vaccinations when you bring in your pet for their wellness visit. You and your pet are welcome to stop in any time for their vaccinations, and anything else they might need.