WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL ADULT DOGS AND CATS BE VACCINATED
TWICE A YEAR.
Puppies and kittens need more frequent vaccinations, and some pets require certain lifestyle-based vaccines that other pets don’t. We’ll discuss our recommendations for your pet during your visit.
Vaccines for pets work the same way they do for humans. They teach the body how to recognize and fight certain disease-causing germs, and in doing so, they protect the body from various illnesses. Here at Harlingen Veterinary Clinic, we recommend vaccinations for all dogs and cats, even if they spend most of their days indoors. Ideally, vaccinations should begin within your pet’s first 3 months of age, but they can begin at any time and still be beneficial.
We typically vaccinate our patients during the same visits as the wellness exam. However, in some cases, vaccines can be administered at a separate visit.
Core and Non-Core Vaccines
We offer core and non-core vaccines for dogs and cats. Core vaccines are given to all pets, regardless of their lifestyle. They’re based on a universal exposure risk, the severity of the illness, and the risk of transmission to other animals or humans. Non-core vaccines, on the other hand, are recommended for pets only if their lifestyle puts them at risk for certain illnesses.
Canine Core Vaccines
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Parainfluenza
- Hepatitis
- Rabies*
Canine Non-Core Vaccines
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Influenza
Feline Core Vaccines
- Rhinotracheitis
- Calicivirus
- Panleukopenia
- Leukemia (<1 year of age)
- Rabies*
Feline Non-Core Vaccines
- Leukemia (>1 year of age)
- Bordetella
- Chlamydia
*Rabies is the only core vaccine required for both dogs and cats. It’s also the only vaccine that’s required by law for dogs and cats, as rabies is a deadly virus that can affect both animals and humans.
Dog and Puppy Vaccination Schedule
The following is the standard dog vaccination schedule that we recommend for all of our canine patients at Harlingen Veterinary Clinic:
| DHPP^ | Lyme | Rabies | Bordetella | |
| Adult Dog | Annually | Annually (after first 2-vaccine series) | Every 3 years | At least once a year |
| Puppy | Start at 6-8 weeks old, booster every 3-4 weeks (at least 3 doses) | Start at 12-16 weeks old, booster in 3 weeks | Start at 12-16 weeks old | N/A |
^DHPP: Distemper, hepatis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus
Cat and Kitten Vaccination Schedule
The following is the standard cat vaccination schedule that we recommend for all of our feline patients at Harlingen Veterinary Clinic:
| FVRCP^ | Rabies | Leukemia | |
| Adult Cat | Every 1-3 years | Every three years | Annually (if cat goes outdoors) |
| Kitten | Start at 6-8 weeks old, booster every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old | Start at 12-16 weeks old | Start at 8-9 weeks old, booster 4 weeks later |
^FVRCP: Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper vaccine)
If you have any questions about a particular vaccine or the illness it protects against, please let us know. We’ll be happy to provide you with as much information as possible to help you protect your pet.
