Vaccinations
Regular veterinary care and vaccinations are important to keep your companion animals healthy. You will want to visit veterinary offices and decide who your best friend’s doctor is going to be before he or she gets sick. Ask your friends who have pets for a recommendation. Look for an office that is clean and smells good, the receptionist and staff are welcoming. Make an appointment to see the entire clinic and to meet the veterinarian. If you are uncomfortable for any reason, find another veterinarian.
LA Animal Services works with the Spay Neuter Project of Los Angeles to provide high quality, low-cost veterinary services to underserved communities in the Los Angeles area. SNPLA has three locations in Los Angeles, including one at our Harbor Animal Services Center. They also have a mobile clinic that visits our animal services centers a few times a month. Since 2007, SNPLA has spayed and neutered 185,000 cats and dogs. SNP LA serves over 30,000 pets in need each year at their stationary and mobile veterinary and vaccine clinics.
To view upcoming SNPLA Mobile Low-Cost Pet Clinic events, visit: snpla.org/events
For more information on SNPLA’s services and clinics, please visit: snpla.org
INFORMATION FROM SNPLA
WHAT VACCINES SHOULD MY PUPPY RECEIVE?
DA2PP (Distemper/Parvovirus):
AGE: Dogs 6 weeks and older
SERIES: Repeat EVERY 3-4 weeks until your dog is 4 months old (16 weeks); Repeat again in 1 year
MINIMUM: Puppies need at least 2 sets of this vaccine
PRECAUTION: Make sure your puppy is NOT exposed to areas (for example: parks, especially dog parks) where unvaccinated dogs might have been until your puppy is 4 months old. After your last set of vaccines is given (at 4 months), wait approximately 1 week prior to areas of possible exposure.
BORDETELLA (“Kennel Cough”):
All dogs even if they are not exposed to high risk areas such as boarding or grooming, should receive this vaccine.
AGE: Dogs 10-12 weeks and older
SERIES: Repeat once in 3-4 weeks and then again in 1 year
MINIMUM: Puppies need at least 2 sets of this vaccine
PRECAUTION: This (and all other vaccines) are NOT immediately protective. You should vaccinate at least ONE WEEK prior to exposure.
RABIES:
AGE: Dogs 16 weeks (4 months) and older
SERIES: Repeat again in 1 year
WHAT VACCINES SHOULD MY ADULT DOG RECEIVE?
DA2PP should be given at age 1 and then every 3 years later
NOTE: If you do not know if you dog has ever received this vaccine, you should repeat in 3-4 weeks.
BORDETELLA should be given every year
RABIES should be given at age 1 and then every 3 years later
WHAT VACCINES SHOULD MY KITTEN RECEIVE?
FVRCP (“Upper Respiratory Infection”/Feline Distemper):
AGE: Cats 6 weeks and older
SERIES: Repeat EVERY 3-4 weeks until your cat is 4 months old (16 weeks); Repeat again in 1 year
MINIMUM: Kittens need at least 2 sets of this vaccine
PRECAUTION: The safest thing for your kitten is to be in “indoor cat.” If you are going to let your cat out however, please make sure you wait at least ONE WEEK after the last vaccine in this series.
RABIES
AGE: Cats 16 weeks (4 months) and older
SERIES: Repeat again in 1 year
WHAT VACCINES SHOULD MY ADULT CAT RECEIVE?
FVRCP should be given at age 1 and then every 3 years later
RABIES should be given at age 1 and then every 3 years later
