At Boulder Veterinary Hospital, our veterinarians provide a broad spectrum of cat and dog vaccines to ensure that your puppy/kitten lives a happy, protected and healthy life up through adulthood. Depending on your pet’s age and vaccination history, your veterinarian will recommend an individualized vaccination plan for your pet’s lifestyle to optimize their health.
Dog Vaccinations
DA2PP
The DA2PP vaccine protects your dog from multiple viruses: Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza. The DA2PP is administered as part of their puppy shot series beginning at the age of eight weeks. Once the final vaccine of this series has been administered at about sixteen weeks, your pet will be given another booster a year later, and then every three years thereafter.
Bordetella
Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, is a contagious disease spread between dogs, commonly contracted at dog parks, boarding facilities, day care, or grooming salons. The common signs of kennel cough include coughing and gagging. The infection is spread if your dog comes in contact with another dog that is infected, but it can also be spread through contaminated objects, such as toys and blankets. This vaccine will be administered at about 8 weeks old, and then again on a yearly basis.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease spread through contaminated urine (usually from wildlife). Leptospirosis (commonly called lepto) can lead to acute kidney disease in pets and can also be spread to humans. If your dog is active around wildlife, goes to parks or on hikes, etc., it is recommended they receive this initial vaccine with a booster in two to three weeks, and then on a yearly basis.
Canine Influenza
The Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) vaccine protects against the highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs known as “canine flu”. If your dog receives the Bordetella vaccine, we recommend that they receive this one as well because this disease is spread in a similar way between contagious dogs. An initial vaccine will be given when your dog is around 8 weeks of age, boosted in three weeks, and then administered on a yearly basis going forward.
Rabies
The Rabies shot prevents your pet from contracting rabies if they are bit by an infected animal. The Rabies virus is untreatable, fatal, and can be transmitted to humans as well. After their first vaccination, your dog will receive this vaccine one year later, and then every three years thereafter.
Cat Vaccinations
The Rabies shot prevents your cat from rabies if they are bit by an infected animal. The Rabies virus is fatal 100% of the time and can infect humans as well. After their first vaccination, your cat will receive this vaccine one year later, and then every three years going forward.
The FVRCP vaccine protects against multiple diseases in cats: Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus. This combination vaccine is administered to kittens as they are most at risk of contracting these diseases, especially if they are indoor/outdoor cats.
The FeLV vaccine protects against feline leukemia virus, which is the leading fatal virus in cats. The virus can be spread between cats (through bite wounds, or from an infected mother to her babies) and is often difficult to recognize or diagnose until it has become too advanced. If you have multiple cats in the household, or have a cat that is indoor/outdoor, it is recommended to protect them with this vaccine.
About our Rabies Vaccine
The rabies vaccine is required by law for both dogs and cats in the state of Colorado and must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. This is a core vaccine in the puppy/kitten shots series and is required for all dogs/cats over the age of four months. The statewide requirement, (HB) 16-1120, declares that dog and cat owners must vaccinate their pet within 90 days of assuming ownership. Your veterinarian will issue you a rabies vaccine certificate and a tag that should be attached to your pet’s collar.
