Core Vaccinations

A core vaccine is an essential immunization recommended for all dogs or cats, regardless of their breed, lifestyle, or environment. These vaccines protect against highly contagious and life-threatening diseases that pose a significant risk to pets. Core vaccines for dogs include canine distemper (DA2PP combination vaccine) and rabies, while core vaccines for cats include feline distemper (FVRCP combination vaccine) and rabies.

Recommended Vaccinations

A recommended vaccine is an immunization that is recommended for most animals based on a pet’s lifestyle, location, and other risk factors.

Canine Vaccines

Canine Distemper vaccine – DA2PP – The distemper vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects your pet from four common and life threatening canine viruses, canine distemper virus, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. ($36.00)

• Canine Distemper Virus is a highly contagious and serious viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Distemper can be fatal, especially in puppies and unvaccinated dogs.
• Canine Adenovirus – Type 1 Adenovirus causes infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), a potentially severe liver infection, while type 2 Adenovirus causes primarily respiratory symptoms that can lead to secondary bacterial infections. CAV-1 can be life-threatening, while CAV-2 typically causes milder symptoms but can lead to complications like pneumonia. Vaccination provides effective protection against both types.
• Canine Parvovirus – Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and commonly fatal viral disease that primarily affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. The virus attacks rapidly dividing cells, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to severe illness. Parvo can progress rapidly and cause life-threatening dehydration, septic shock, and organ failure. Vaccination provides effective protection against parvovirus.
• Canine Parainfluenza Virus – Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) is a highly contagious respiratory virus that contributes to kennel cough, a common infectious respiratory disease in dogs. The distemper vaccine (often given with Bordetella) helps protect against the Canine Parainfluenza Virus and reduces the severity of symptoms.

Bordetella Vaccine – Canine Bordetella bronchiseptica is a highly contagious bacterial infection that is a primary cause of kennel cough, a common respiratory disease affecting dogs. Bordetella is common in places with high dog populations for example kennels, dog parks, shelters, and groomers. Vaccination helps reduce the risk and severity of infection.
*This is a recommended vaccine, however this vaccine is required prior to all surgical procedures to help protect all hospitalized patients. ($34.00)

Lyme Vaccine – Helps protect dogs against Borrelia burgdorferi, the tick-borne bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. It is recommended for dogs living in or traveling to areas where Lyme disease is prevalent, especially in regions with high tick populations. The vaccine significantly reduces the risk of infection and the severity of the disease in exposed dogs. ($58.00)
*While this vaccine is currently not considered a core vaccine due to the high tick population and endemic nature of Lyme disease in our area the Lyme vaccine is on its way to being considered a core vaccine.

Leptospirosis Vaccine – The Leptospirosis vaccine is designed to protect dogs from the bacterial infection caused by Leptospira. The Leptospira bacterium can affect dogs and other animals, as well as humans. It is transmitted through contact with urine from infected animals, contaminated water or soil, as well as bite wounds and open cuts. Leptospirosis can lead to liver damage, kidney failure, and even death in dogs as well as people if untreated. The Leptospirosis vaccine is particularly recommended for dogs that live in or frequent areas with high exposure to wildlife, or standing water sources. The vaccine helps prevent severe outcomes such as kidney or liver failure associated with leptospirosis. ($46.00)
*While this vaccine is currently not considered a core vaccine due to rising prevalence of leptospirosis in our area the leptospirosis vaccine is on its way to being considered a core vaccine.

Rabies Vaccine – A Critical immunization that protects dogs and cats from contracting the rabies virus. The rabies virus is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via bites or scratches. Rabies affects the brain and spinal cord, and once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is fatal in pets. Pets can contract rabies from wildlife (such as bats, raccoons, or skunks) or other infected animals. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted to humans, making vaccination essential for both public health and animal safety. Due to risk for human transmission the rabies vaccine is required by law in New York State and is recommended for all pets, regardless of their lifestyle. ($36.00)
*Though we will treat your unvaccinated pet in an urgent situation, for the safety of our staff and other patients we require all pets to be up to date on the rabies vaccine for future visits and surgical procedures.

Feline PureVax Vaccines

PureVax vaccines are designed to limit the risk of a potential serious vaccination site reaction called an Injection-site sarcoma. An Injection-site sarcoma is a rare but serious type of cancer that can develop in cats at the site of a previous vaccination or injection. This aggressive tumor type is believed to be linked to adjuvants present in typical vaccinations. Adjuvants contain additives to enhance immune response but may also cause chronic inflammation, leading to tumor formation in some cats. PureVax vaccines are specially designed to be non-adjuvanted. Meaning PureVax vaccines do not contain the chemical additives that can cause inflammation or increase the risk of vaccine-related reactions. PureVax vaccines promote a safer vaccination experience for cats of all ages while maintaining the efficacy needed to protect your cat from disease.

PureVax Feline Distemper Vaccine – FVRCP- This is a considered a core vaccination for cats that protects against three highly contagious and potentially severe diseases Panleukopenia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus. ($36.00)

• Feline Panleukopenia Virus – Also known as feline distemper, is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that attacks cat’s gastrointestinal tract, immune system, and bone marrow, leading to severe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and a dangerously low white blood cell count. Vaccination helps prevent serious illness and spread of infectious diseases.
• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis – Caused by the feline herpesvirus-1, this disease affects the respiratory system, leading to symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, eye infections, and fever. It can become chronic and flare up during times of stress.
• Calicivirus – A virus that causes upper respiratory infections, mouth ulcers, and joint pain. Some strains can lead to severe systemic illness.

PureVax Feline Lukemia Virus Vaccine – Helps prevent against Feline leukemia virus. Feline Lukemia Virus is a retrovirus that affects cats, leading to immune system suppression, and anemia. It is one of the leading causes of death in cats and is primarily transmitted through contact with bodily secretions from and direct contact with infected cats. The FeLV vaccine is highly recommended for cats at risk of exposure, such as those who go outdoors or live in multi-cat households. The vaccine significantly reduces the chances of infection and helps protect against the severe effects of the virus. ($58.00)

PureVax Rabies Vaccine – A Critical immunization that protects cats from contracting the rabies virus. The rabies virus is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via bites or scratches. Rabies affects the brain and spinal cord, and once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is fatal in pets. Pets can contract rabies from wildlife (such as bats, raccoons, or skunks) or other infected animals. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted to humans, making vaccination essential for both public health and animal safety. Due to risk for human transmission the rabies vaccine is required by law in New York State and is recommended for all pets, regardless of their lifestyle.
*Though we will treat your unvaccinated pet in an urgent situation, for the safety of our staff and other patients we require all pets to be up to date on the rabies vaccine for future visits and surgical procedures.
*Standard rabies vaccines are also available