Vaccination

Vaccination is a medical procedure designed to induce immunity against infectious diseases. While all medical procedures, including vaccination, are associated with potential risks; the benefits clearly warrant vaccinating our patients. Vaccines save lives.

Puppies and kittens should begin their vaccine series at six to eight weeks of age and be vaccinated every 3 to 4 weeks until they are approximately 4 months of age. After the initial series, some vaccines need a booster annually while others can be given every 3 years. We evaluate each patient’s situation individually to determine their vaccine needs.

Not all vaccines are equal. We carefully select the vaccines which we deem to be the safest products available for cats and dogs. Some vaccines contain a compound called an adjuvant to help make the product induce a stronger immune response. This may increase the risk of vaccine associated problems in cats. At Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital we only use adjuvant free vaccines in cats.