Pet Vaccinations
Protecting your pet’s health begins with prevention. We offer comprehensive vaccination services for dogs and cats in Toronto to guard against both common and serious illnesses.
What Are Vaccines?
Vaccines are specially formulated substances that stimulate your pet’s immune system to recognize and defend against specific infectious diseases. By introducing a harmless component of a virus or bacterial agent, vaccines help your pet build immunity before exposure to the real disease occurs.
Why Vaccinations Are Important
Vaccinations are a vital part of preventive care, protecting pets from contagious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Keeping your pet’s vaccines up to date safeguards their health and helps prevent the spread of disease to other animals and humans.
Our Vaccination Services
We offer vaccination care designed specifically for your pet’s health needs:
- Core and non-core vaccines for both dogs and cats
- Cat-specific vaccines using gentle, non-adjuvanted formulas
- Personalized vaccination plans based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and health status
- Booster reminders to keep your pet’s vaccines current
- Safe and comfortable administration by our experienced veterinary team
Together, these elements ensure every pet receives the right protection at the right time, while keeping the experience stress-free and safe.
Post-Vaccination Care and Reactions
After a vaccination, most pets feel just fine, but some may experience mild reactions such as mild fatigue, tenderness at the injection site, or a low-grade fever. These usually pass within a day or two.
To keep your pet comfortable:
- Offer plenty of fresh water and a light meal
- Encourage rest, but gentle play is okay
- Monitor for anything unusual, such as swelling, hives, vomiting, persistent lethargy, or the development of a small lump at the injection site
If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact our clinic right away. Most pets recover quickly, and staying on schedule with vaccines helps keep them protected for life.
Book Your Pet’s Vaccination Today
Keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date is essential for their overall health. Because a veterinary health exam is required before administering any vaccine, staying on schedule with annual wellness visits helps ensure your pet remains protected from preventable diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Vaccines Does My Dog Need?
Core Vaccines:
- Rabies: Protects against a deadly virus that can infect humans and other animals. Legally required in Canada.
- DAPP: Protects dogs from several serious viral diseases, including Distemper (affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems), Adenovirus (liver and respiratory disease), Parvovirus (life-threatening intestinal infection), and Parainfluenza (a cause of kennel cough).
- Leptospirosis: Protects against a bacterial infection that can damage the kidneys and liver and may spread to humans.
Non-Core Vaccines (Based on Lifestyle):
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Protects dogs from a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes coughing and sneezing.
- Lyme Disease: Guards against a tick-borne bacterial infection that can cause joint pain, fever, and kidney injury.
How Often Does My Dog Need Vaccinations?
- 1st Puppy Appointment (6–8 weeks): DAPP
- 2nd Puppy Appointment (10–12 weeks): DAPP booster, Leptospirosis, Bordetella
- 3rd Puppy Appointment (14–16 weeks): DAPP booster, Leptospirosis booster, Rabies
- 1 year Booster (12 months): DAPP booster, Leptospirosis booster, Rabies booster, continue non-core vaccines as recommended
- Adult Dogs: The frequency of vaccinations depends on your dog’s health, the vaccine type, and their lifestyle and exposure risk.
What Vaccines Does My Cat Need?
Core Vaccines:
- Rabies: Protects against a deadly virus that can also infect humans. Legally required in Canada.
- FvRCP: Protects cats from several serious viral diseases, including Rhinotracheitis (respiratory and eye infections), Calicivirus (respiratory disease and mouth ulcers), and Panleukopenia (a potentially fatal gastrointestinal infection).
- Feline Leukemia (cats < 1 year old): Protects against a virus that weakens the immune system and can cause cancer.
Non-Core Vaccines (Based on Lifestyle):
- Feline Leukemia
How Often Does My Cat Need Vaccinations?
- 1st Kitten Appointment (6–8 weeks): FvRCP
- 2nd Kitten Appointment (10–12 weeks): FvRCP booster, Feline Leukemia
- 3rd Kitten Appointment (14–16 weeks): FvRCP booster, Feline Leukemia booster, Rabies
- 1 year Booster (12 months): FvRCP booster, Feline Leukemia booster, Rabies booster
- Adult Cats: The frequency of vaccinations depends on your cat’s health, the vaccine type, and their lifestyle and exposure risk.
Why Is an Exam Necessary Before Vaccinations?
A veterinary health exam is required before administering vaccines to ensure your pet is healthy enough to receive them safely. During this exam, the veterinarian checks your pet’s overall health, looks for any signs of illness, and confirms that the selected vaccines are appropriate based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and medical history. This helps ensure vaccines are given safely and provide the best possible protection.