Core and Non-Core Vaccinations

Caring for your furry family member requires regularly scheduled veterinary visits. These vet visits include wellness exams and vaccinations. Here is an overview of the vaccines that pets need during their puppy and kitten stages as well as during their adult years.

Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs and Cats

Vaccinations for your pet are classified as core and non-core vaccinations. Core vaccines are vaccinations that are recommended for all pets. Non-core vaccines are vaccinations that are recommended by veterinarians based on a pet’s unique medical history and lifestyle.

Core and Non-Core Vaccines for Puppies and Dogs

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines for puppies and dogs include:

• Rabies
• Parvovirus
• Canine hepatitis
• Canine Parainfluenza
• Canine distemper virus

Rabies - rabies is a virus that causes the brain to become inflamed. This disease affects humans and other mammals. Rabies spreads through a bite from an infected animal and can be spread to humans.

Parvovirus – Parvovirus, or parvo, is a highly contagious virus that can be spread from one dog to another by direct or indirect contact with infected feces.

Canine hepatitis - Canine hepatitis, also referred to as infectious canine hepatitis, is an acute infection that involves the liver.  This disease is caused by canine mastadenovirus A and spreads through the saliva, blood, urine, feces, and nasal discharge of an infected dog.

Canine Parainfluenza - canine parainfluenza is a contagious disease that is caused by dogs being kept in close proximity to one another.

Canine distemper virus - canine distemper is a virus that affects a variety of animals, including those that are domestic. This distemper virus is a disease that attacks a dog's nervous system, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal system. Canine distemper virus also affects puppies.

Non-Core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines for puppies and dogs include:

• Leptospirosis
• Giardia
• Lyme disease
• Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Core and Non-Core Vaccines for Kittens and Cats

Core vaccines for kittens and cats include:

• Feline panleukopenia virus
• Rabies
• Feline rhinotracheitis
• Feline calicivirus

Feline panleukopenia virus - feline panleukopenia virus, also called feline distemper, is similar to parvo in dogs. This virus is a highly contagious, severe infection that affects a kitten's or cat's nervous and immune system and the gastrointestinal system. Feline distemper has a more severe effect on kittens than cats.

Rabies - like dogs, cats can also become infected with rabies. Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the nervous system. Cats are the most commonly reported domestic animal with rabies.

Feline rhinotracheitis - feline rhinotracheitis has many names, including feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) and herpesvirus infection. This virus affects kittens and cats of all ages. FVR is spread by direct contact with the virus' particles in the saliva and discharge from the nose and eyes of an infected kitten or cat.

Feline calicivirus - feline calicivirus causes oral disease and different upper respiratory infections in cats. Calicivirus is a highly contagious disease that is spread from one cat to another through the saliva of an infected cat and discharge from the nose and eyes. An infected cat can sneeze and spread these viral particles throughout the air.

Non-Core Vaccinations 

Non-core vaccines for kittens and cats include:

• Feline immunodeficiency (FIV)
• Giardia
• Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
• Chlamydophila felis

Here at New Hope Animal Hospital, we offer the highest quality care for your pet. We provide wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, and a variety of other veterinary services. We understand the importance of having a veterinarian you can trust. Contact us today at (919) 490-2000 to keep your pet in the best health.