Vaccines

Vaccines are crucial to your pet’s wellness program, and essential to the prevention of harmful viruses, bacteria, and life-threatening diseases. We offer both core and non-core (aka lifestyle) vaccines for cats and dogs.

Cropped photo of a beagle receiving a vaccine in his leg from a veterinarian

Do I really need to vaccinate my pet?

Vaccines protect your pet from highly contagious, and often deadly, diseases. They work by exposing your pet’s immune system to inactive strains of infectious agents, stimulating the production of antibodies so that when the real thing comes along, the body recognizes and destroys those agents before they can cause disease.

Pet vaccines are quick, easy, and cost-effective to administer. They effectively prevent many illnesses, and help you avoid costly treatments for completely preventable disease. Additionally, they prevent the spread of diseases between animals, and even from animals to people.

Unvaccinated pets are at high-risk from life-threatening diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvo. We provide both core and non-core (lifestyle) vaccines for cats and dogs, and recommend vaccinations for virtually all pets to keep them healthy, protected, and living their best lives!

When should my pet receive vaccines?

Kittens and puppies start with a series of vaccines in their first year, beginning with their first visit at 8-weeks of age. Boosters are then given at their 12-week and 16-week visits. After their puppy and kitten series is complete, your pet will need vaccine boosters throughout their life to maintain immunity.

After their first year, canine rabies, DHPP, and FVRCP boosters are typically only given once every three years. Feline rabies, and all non-core vaccines are annual (or semi-annual) and must be given every year.

Core and *Non-Core (Lifestyle) Vaccines

Core vaccines are considered essential to your pet’s health. Non-core vaccines are optional, and may only be recommended for your pet depending on their lifestyle. This is why we also refer to non-core vaccines as lifestyle vaccines.

During your wellness exam, our doctors will tailor a vaccine protocol that is right for your pet so they receive only the ones they need.

Dog Vaccines

  • Rabies
  • DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
  • *Bordatella
  • *Canine Flu, Bivalent
  • *Leptospirosis
  • *Lyme

Cat Vaccines

  • Rabies
  • FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia)

  • *Feline Leukemia

A veterinary assistant sits on the floor, smiling at a happy, small, black and white dog
A young family with two small children and a black lab in a meadow in autumn

The Importance of Vaccinations for Your Pet

Vaccines protect your pet from highly contagious and deadly diseases, as well as improve their overall quality of life. Widespread use of vaccines over the last century has prevented unnecessary death and disease in millions of animals worldwide.

  • Healthy family — Vaccines prevent many pet illnesses.

  • Wallet friendly — Vaccines can help you avoid costly treatments for preventable diseases.

  • Safer playtime — Vaccination prevents diseases that can be passed and shared between your pet and other animals, and from your pet to YOU!

  • One with nature — Unvaccinated pets are at risk from life-threatening diseases found in wildlife, such as rabies and distemper.

  • Flexibility — Reputable boarding and training services require vaccination against certain diseases to protect all participating pets.

  • Regulatory compliance — Most state and local laws require that pets be vaccinated against certain diseases.

Pet Vaccine Questions

You might be wondering…

The only vaccine required by law in North Carolina is the rabies vaccine for dogs, cats, and ferrets over four months of age. While the other core vaccines are not required by law, they are essential to your pet’s lifelong health and very cost effective to administer, versus treatment of the diseases they prevent. Non-core vaccines are optional and will only be recommended based on your pet’s lifestyle.

Puppies and kittens are particularly vulnerable to disease because their immune systems have not yet had a chance to fully develop and offer them protection. When they are nursing the mom transfers immunity to them, but as soon as they stop, it’s critical for them to begin getting vaccines on a regular schedule until they acquire high enough levels of antibodies in their system to be effective. While the ultimate series is dependent on the age you bring the puppy or kitten home (and other factors), this is typically a series of shots every 2-3 weeks until approximately four months of age. We will tailor a vaccine protocol for your new puppy or kitten during their first visit.

Puppies and kittens from breeders have often already been given shots and OTC (over-the-counter) de-wormers. Depending on the age of your new family member when you bring them home, we may not count any of their vaccinations toward the required series for immunity. Often, the first series by a breeder is given at a young age when the puppy or kitten is either still nursing, or has recently completed nursing, and is still protected by the mother’s antibodies. The early vaccine is not harmful to your pet, but it is ineffective in building the puppy or kitten’s own immune response defense while still under protection of the mother’s antibodies. Additionally, many OTC de-wormers are ineffective in completely killing off a parasitic infection, so while they may have already been given something by the breeder, a higher strength prescription de-wormer is often required upon visiting your vet. This is why it’s important to bring us a fecal sample to your first appointment, if possible!

The immune response triggered by vaccines for protection from disease unfortunately doesn’t last forever. Over time, the number of antibodies in your pet’s system decreases, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on booster shots to maintain immune protection for your pet. The exact timeline for your pet to receive boosters may vary based on which vaccines they receive, and any changes in lifestyle. We will review your pet’s medical history during your visit, and make recommendations for a booster schedule to always keep your pet safe from disease. You will receive reminders from us to schedule an appointment before your pet is due for a booster.

For most pets, vaccines are effective in preventing future outbreak of the diseases they are designed for, when given at the recommended age and intervals. When a pet is fully and appropriately vaccinated, it is very rare for their immune system to fail to fight off the disease.

No! Vaccines are rigorously tested and highly regulated to ensure their safety. Human medicine has recently seen a growing rejection of mainstream science regarding the safety of vaccines, and veterinarians are increasingly hearing these same concerns now being raised about vaccines for their pets. These claims are unfounded, and not backed by scientific evidence. Alternatively, there is ample scientific research proving the efficacy of vaccines in preventing deadly disease.

Just like when you get a shot yourself, your pet might feel some slight discomfort from the needle. Most pets are unbothered or don’t even notice. The vaccination site may be sore for a few days, and there could be a decrease in appetite or energy while your pet’s body responds to the vaccine.

Minor side effects from vaccines are normal while your pet’s body triggers an immune response to be able to defend itself against disease. Typically these resolve quickly. While rare, serious reactions to vaccines can occur in some pets. An allergic reaction could occur either at the injection site, or all over the body. This is why we will typically have you wait in the exam room for a short period of time following a new vaccine, to ensure there is no immediate negative reaction. If your pet experiences any of the following symptoms after a vaccine administration, please call us immediately at (252) 649-3649: Vomiting, hives or excessive itching, swelling of the face or neck, excessive lethargy or refusal to eat for more than a day, or a lump at the injection site that does not go away.

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Modern Pet Care

With all new, top-of-the-line equipment and a gorgeous new facility, we’re modernizing the entire pet care experience. Our hybrid primary-and-emergency care model eliminates day-to-ER transfers, reducing stress on both pets and owners, while also allowing for consistency in treatment planning and standard of care.