What does my pet need?
Every dog and cat who is 12 weeks (3 months) of age is required in the state of Nevada by law to have the rabies vaccine.
We strongly recommend DHPP and FVRCP for dogs and cats, respectively, starting at 6 weeks (1.5 months) of age. They then need booster shots every 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age, and then annually throughout their life.
Dogs that visit high volume dog areas such as dog parks and boarding facilities need Bordetella and Canine Influenze vaccines to ensure their health and wellbeing. Many doggy day cares, boarding, and grooming facilities require these vaccines. Please contact your regular boarding facility and groomer to find out what they require.
We strongly recommend microchipping, although it is not required. Having a registered microchip increases the chance that a lost pet will be returned to its owner. Read more about microchipping here.
The Rabies Vaccine for Dogs and Cats
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a zoonotic disease that affects the central nervous system of humans and other domestic animals. Rabies is usually spread through the saliva of an infected animal to another animal through a bite. It can also be spread through the bite of an infected animal to a human. It is always fatal in humans but can prevented if the individual receives immediate medical attention after being bit by an infected animal.
Vaccine frequency
The first Rabies vaccine an animal receives is good for 1 year. Any subsequent vaccine will be good for 3 years. An animal can get the Rabies vaccine as early as 12 weeks of age.
We do not send Rabies certificates to Washoe County for dog licensing. It is the owner’s responsibility to follow licensing laws in their county and send a copy of the Rabies certificate to county if needed.
The DAPP Vaccine for Dogs
In general, this vaccine helps protect against distemper/parvovirus as well as hepatitis (adenovirus) and parainfluenza.
D-Distemper virus: Distemper is a highly contagious virus that causes many different symptoms in dogs. The most common symptoms are related to the respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological systems.
H-Hepatitis or A-Adenovirus: Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is an infection of the liver and kidney characterized by depression, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. This disease can be spread through animal feces, urine, saliva, nasal discharge, and objects. Commonly this disease is also known as adenovirus, which is why DHPP is also abbreviated DA2PPV.
P-Parainfluenza: One of the viral causes of infectious tracheobronchitis or “kennel cough.”
P-Parvovirus: This is an extremely contagious and serious virus that causes severe diarrhea and death if not treated promptly. Unvaccinated dogs, especially puppies, are susceptible to this virus. Learn more about canine parvovirus here.
Vaccination Frequency
- Puppies: This vaccine can be given as early as 6 weeks of age, and must be boostered every 2-4 weeks until the puppy is at least 16* weeks of age.
- *Certain breeds such as bully breeds (pitbulls), German shepherd’s and Rottweilers for unknown reasons don’t develop a good immunity to the Parvovirus. We recommend they get their DHPP boostered every 3-4 weeks until 20 weeks of age
- Puppies over 20 weeks: If never vaccinated, the pup will need an initial vaccine, and one booster within 2-4 weeks.
- Dogs over 1 year: If the dog was never vaccinated, an initial vaccine is required with a booster in 3-4 weeks, then yearly boosters. If the dog was vaccinated before, yearly boosters are required.
The FVRCP Vaccine for Cats
This vaccine helps protect cats against a variety of airborne infectious agents, as well as feline distemper (panleukopenia). Both indoor and outdoor cats should receive this vaccine
FVR: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is a component of Feline Upper Respiratory Infections caused by the Feline Herpesvirus. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, eye and nasal discharge. It is highly contagious and it is recommended that both indoor and outdoor cats receive this vaccine.
C-Calicivius: This is another highly contagious and sever virus that causes upper respiratory symptoms such as coughing and sneezing. Also commonly seen with this virus are ulcers in the oral cavity, especially on the tongue. It is recommended that both indoor and outdoor cats receive protection against this virus.
P-Panleukopenia: Panleukopenia is caused by the Feline parvovirus and is commonly known as Feline Distemper. This sever virus is characterized with vomiting, diarrhea, and sudden death in cats. Kittens, immunocompromised, and older cats are especially susceptible to this virus. It is primarily spread via the fecal-oral route including exposure from contaminated clothes, bedding/toys, and through handling.
Vaccination Frequency:
- Kittens: Kittens can start this vaccine at 6 weeks of age, and will need boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
- Kittens over 16 weeks of age: If never vaccinated, will need an initial vaccine with a booster in 3-4 weeks.
- Cats 1 year and over: If never vaccinated, will need an initial vaccine with a booster in 3-4 weeks, then a yearly booster. If vaccinated before, subsequent vaccines are good for 3 years.
The Bordetella Kennel Cough Vaccine for Dogs
The Bordetella vaccine protects against canine infections tracheobronchitis (kennel cough)
What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough is an all-encompassing term used to depict a multitude of contagious respiratory illnesses. While not fatal, untreated Kennel Cough can lead to other serious illnesses. The most distinctive symptom is a loud, honking type cough that may or may not produce mucous. Other symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, loss of appetite, lethargy and a low fever.
Kennel cough is easily spread from dog to dog through aerosol droplets (coughing or nasal discharge), direct contact, or contact with contaminated surfaces like food and water bowls, toys, or kennel runs. Dogs are more likely to pick it up in an area where lots of dogs congregate, but may be picked up from a contaminated environment.
Vaccination Frequency
- Dogs can get this vaccine as early as six weeks of age. It lasts for a year.
- Although the vaccine is licensed for a year, some boarding and grooming facilities require this vaccine once every six months.
Canine Influenza (CIV) Vaccine
What is CIV?
Canine Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, and loss of appetite.
CIV is spread from dog to dog through direct contact and droplets from sneezing or coughing, and contaminated surfaces such as hands, clothing, food, bedding, and food/water bowls. Environments such as dog parks and pet day care centers can pose a potential risk for infection.
Vaccination Frequency
- Puppies: Puppies can receive this vaccine as early as 7 weeks of age, and will need a booster in 3-4 weeks, then yearly.
- Adult Dogs: If never vaccinated, dogs will need an initial vaccine, then a booster in 3-4 weeks, and subsequent vaccines will need 1 yearly booster.
The FeLV Vaccine for Cats
What is Feline Leukemia?
Feline Leukemia is a type of cancer in cats caused by the feline leukemia virus. Abbreviated FeLV, this retrovirus can damage a cat’s immune system and make them vulnerable to various illness that normally wouldn’t affect a healthy cat. FeLV can be transmitted from infected cats through saliva, deep bite wounds, and mating. There is no cure for FeLV, only management once a cat has been infected. Infected cats should be kept as indoor only cats, and housed only with other cats with FeLV.
Vaccination Frequency
- Kittens: Kittens can start this vaccine at 4 months of age once they have been tested for it prior. The vaccine will need a booster in 3-4 weeks, then annual boosters
- Cats: If the cat has never had the vaccine before, it will need to receive an FeLV/FIV test to confirm they don’t have it before administering the vaccine. The initial vaccine will need to receive a booster in 3-4 weeks, then once annually.
This vaccine is recommended for indoor/outdoor cats, or strictly outdoor cats to help prevent the risk of infection or spreading of the virus
The FeLV/FIV Test for Cats
What is an FeLV/FIV test?
This allows us to test for the presence of the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) antigen and the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) antibody. This is a 10 minute blood test which requires a small amount of blood from your cat. We will take them to the clinic and draw blood from a rear leg while you wait in your car. Once the test is done and the vaccine is administered, we will bring you back into the adoption center and let you know the results. If they are positive, our veterinarian will discuss this with you in further detail.
Cats are eligible to be tested at 4 months of age or older.
Pyrantel Dewormer for Cats and Dogs
Pyrantel pamoate is an oral medication administered to treat intestinal worm infections such as pinworm, roundworm, and hookworm. All kittens and puppies are born with worms which have been transferred from their mothers. Pets can pick up intestinal parasites if they ingest contaminated soil, feces, or eat an infected prey animal.
Deworming Frequency
It is recommended that puppies and kittens have two rounds of deworming spaced 2-4 weeks apart. For adult animals, if history is unknown, it is recommended they receive at least one round of deworming.
Pyrantel is not effective against tapeworms, whipworms, or heart worms, and many other intestinal parasites. If these are suspected, the animal should be seen by your regular veterinarian for testing and proper medication.
Microchipping for Cats and Dogs
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a tiny electronic circuit (about the size of a grain of rice) that is implanted under the skin of a pet, usually in the area between the shoulder blades. Each chip is uniquely numbered and is stored with the pet owner’s details in a central database off site.
How does a microchip work?
Should your pet go missing, this chip is scanned with a handheld scanner which reads the microchip number. This allows the animal control, shelter, or veterinarian’s office contact the company to obtain owner information and notify the owner that their companion has been found. Microchips numbers will remain active and with your animal their entire life, so it is important to keep the records up to date, and notify the microchip company of any changes in address, phone number, or ownership.
*The microchip is not a GPS tracking device and will not be able to tell you the location of the animal.
Vaccines Offered at Our Clinic
The tables to the right are the full lists of what we are able to offer at our vaccine clinic. We DO NOT offer the rattlesnake venom vaccine, leptospirosis vaccine, nail trims, or full medical exams.
Available Services
- Rabies $20
- Distemper Parvo $20
- Bordetella $20
- De-Worm $5
- Microchip $20**
Available Services
- Rabies $20
- FVRCP $20
- Feline Leukemia & Test $20 *
- De-Worm $5
- Microchip $20**
*FeLV/FIV testing is recommended for all cats over 4 months of age that are going to be indoor/outdoor, or strictly outdoor. We recommend getting the FeLV vaccine as well, which is a two-part vaccine for cats that have not been vaccinated before. Each vaccine is $15 and must be given 2-4 weeks apart. If the booster vaccine is not given in that time frame, the series will need to be restarted, but the test will not need to be retaken. Kittens must be at least 12 weeks of age to start the FeLV vaccine.
**Additional registration fee may apply. Please note: If you are having trouble paying our fee, Washoe County Regional Animal Services does offer free microchips. Please visit their website for more information on microchipping hours.
Written by Tera Read
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