WELLNESS & PREVENTATIVE CARE SERVICES

Vaccinations

CORE & NON-CORE

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Pet

Vaccinations

Why Should I

Vaccinate

My Pet?

Vaccines, also known as shots, work by exposing your pet’s immune system to an incomplete or inactive strain of infectious agents. This helps their body build immune cells that are specifically designed to respond effectively when the real thing comes along.

The diseases they prevent are irritating at best, and potentially deadly at worst. Plus, vaccines are also relatively painless, easy, and cost-effective to administer.


Depending on your pet’s breed, age, lifestyle, and habits, our veterinarians at FurDocs will be able to recommend tailored treatments for your pet.

What Are Core &

Non-Core Vaccines?

  • What Are The Core Vaccines For Dogs?

    Rabies: legally required in New York, and protects your dog against the fatal disease.

    DHPPi: a combination vaccine that protects against Distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Infectious Hepatitis.

    Leptospirosis: protects against a dangerous bacterial infection. Whilst some vets do not consider this a core vaccine, at Small Door we strongly recommend it for all dogs in New York, as leptospirosis is found across all five boroughs and is even more prominent outside of the city.

  • What Are The Non-Core Vaccines For Dogs?

    Bordetella: prevents kennel cough, and is required by dog boarding and daycare facilities.

    Lyme: protects against Lyme Disease carried by ticks and can be useful for dogs that visit areas with high tick exposure.

    Canine Influenza Virus: protects against dog flu, a contagious virus that causes respiratory issues.

  • What Are The Core Vaccines For Cats?

    FVRCP: a combination vaccine that protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.

    Rabies: legally required in New York, regardless of whether the cat goes outdoors or not.

    Feline Leukemia Virus: an incurable virus transmitted through cat bites during fights. It’s recommended for kittens even if they will not be going outdoors. For older, indoor-only cats, boosters are not required.

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FAQ’s

  • Our vets will recommend the exact schedule for your pet, and we’ll send you reminders one month before your pet is due for a vaccine booster. Here's an example schedule.

    Puppy Vaccine Schedule


    8 weeks: Distemper vaccine (1 of 3), Bordetella vaccine (1 of 1), Lyme vaccine (1 of 2) & Canine Influenza Virus vaccine (1 of 2)

    12 weeks: Distemper vaccine (2 of 3), Leptospirosis vaccine (1 of 2), Rabies vaccine (1 of 1), Lyme vaccine (2 of 2) & Canine Influenza Virus vaccine (2 of 2)

    16 weeks: Distemper vaccine (3 of 3) & Leptospirosis vaccine (2 of 2)

  • Our vets will recommend the exact schedule for your pet, and we’ll send you reminders one month before your pet is due for a vaccine booster. Here's an example schedule.

    Adult Dog Vaccine Schedule


    Rabies: one year after the initial puppy vaccine, then every three years

    Distemper: every three years

    Bordetella: every year

    Leptospirosis: every year

    Canine influenza: every year

    Lyme disease: every year

  • Our vets will recommend the exact schedule for your pet, and we’ll send you reminders one month before your pet is due for a vaccine booster. Here's an example schedule.

    Kitten Vaccine Schedule


    8 weeks: FVRCP vaccine (1 of 3)

    12 weeks: FVRCP vaccine (2 of 3), Leukemia vaccine (1 of 2) & Rabies vaccine (1 of 1)

    16 weeks: FVRCP vaccine (3 of 3) & Leukemia vaccine (2 of 2)

  • Our vets will recommend the exact schedule for your pet, and we’ll send you reminders one month before your pet is due for a vaccine booster. Here's an example schedule.

    Adult Cat Vaccine Schedule


    FVRCP: every three years

    Rabies: every three years

    Feline Leukemia Virus: one year after the initial kitten series then every other year for at-risk (outdoor) cats only

  • While your pet needs all the core vaccines, they may not need all of the non-core vaccines. This depends on their lifestyle, and our vets can discuss and advise which non-core vaccines are appropriate for your pet.

  • Puppies and kittens (along with old or immune-compromised pets) are especially vulnerable to diseases because they have underdeveloped immune systems. That’s why we begin vaccinating at a young age. Puppies and kittens also initially receive some immune protection from their mother, but this doesn’t last for very long. This maternal immunity can also interfere with the vaccines we administer, and make them less effective. So, to make sure they acquire a high enough level of antibodies to be effective, we have to vaccinate them multiple times – in other words, administer boosters.

  • The immune protection afforded by vaccines doesn’t last forever. Over time, the number of antibodies in your pet decreases, so it’s important to give booster shots to keep up your pet’s level of immune protection.


  • Vaccines are highly tested and regulated to ensure they’re safe for your pet. In recent years, vaccines have at times been called ‘dangerous’ for a number of reasons – but there’s little to no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Let us help you find care

that's right for your pet.

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