Wrong! Even pets who are exclusively indoors are vulnerable to the diseases that vaccines are designed to prevent. Yes, with limited exposure (especially cats that never go outside), pets will be sick less often, healthier overall, and likely will live longer, but they can still contract serious disease. Vaccines administered regularly and according to the schedule suggested by your veterinarian will ensure your pets are the healthiest they can be and will live their longest lives.
Additionally, Ohio law requires that all pets—indoors and outdoors—receive the rabies vaccine annually (or every three years depending on dosage).
If you are adopting a pet, you should immediately discuss with your veterinarian the vaccines that he or she recommends and how they should be administered to provide the best protection for your pet.
Puppies and Kittens
Depending on where you go to adopt a puppy or kitten and their age at that time, your new pet may already have received a first round of shots. Puppies typically receive their DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus) vaccine at about 8 weeks and kittens receive their FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) at the same age. A first rabies shot is administered to puppies and kittens at about 3 months. These are considered core vaccines and are strongly recommended for all pets regardless of their breed or lifestyle. Booster shots are part of the initial schedule, followed by annual shots for the lifetime of your pet. Rabies shots are usually dosed so that dogs and cats can receive them every three years after the initial shot and booster.
Older Pets/Shelter Pets
Adoption of older pets, or pets of any age from a shelter or rescue, can frequently mean that we don’t have a vaccine history for the animal. Your veterinarian will start your new furry friend on a vaccine schedule that will safely ensure he or she is protected regardless of previous vaccines or the lack of them.
Additional vaccines
Most of the time, staying current on the core vaccines for your dog or cat is enough to protect them from disease. After getting to know you and your pet, your veterinarian may recommend additional vaccines to ensure the health of your pet.
For example, if you plan to board your dog or cat when you are away, vets may recommend vaccinating against Bordetella, an upper respiratory infection also known as kennel cough, which frequently spreads among boarded animals.
For cats who are going to be allowed to roam outdoors, vets will strongly recommend vaccinating against feline leukemia, a highly contagious disease that is always fatal.
If you have questions about vaccinating your pet, or you are uncertain that your pet is up to date on core vaccines, contact Lake Cable Animal Hospital for an appointment with one of our veterinarians.
Click here to learn more about the vaccines Lake Cable Animal Hospital recommends for your pet.