At Cornerstone Animal Hospital, we vaccinate each pet after a thorough physical examination by our veterinarians. We use the best vaccines available to protect your canine and feline companions. Timely vaccinations are very important to the prevention of many life-threatening diseases and will help ensure the quality of your pet’s health. An immunization schedule based upon your pet’s needs will be recommended by veterinarians at Cornerstone Animal Hospital to ensure that your pet is protected. The frequency of immunizations will depend on your pet’s age, vaccination history, type of vaccine used, and the duration of the protection of the vaccine.

Canine Vaccinations

At Cornerstone Animal Hospital the animal care team make sure that your dogs be protected against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvo virus and kennel cough. Clients with hunting dogs may consider Lyme vaccine too. At Cornerstone Animal Hospital the following vaccination protocol is used as part of the complete preventive health management.

Puppy Vaccinations

The Distemper-Parvo vaccine should be given to puppies when they are at least 7-8 weeks old. The booster vaccination should be administered every 3-4 weeks until the pet is at least 16 weeks old. The rabies vaccine should be given to every dog that is at least 12 weekUs of age once a year. The Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine should be given at 7-8 weeks, and boostered in 3-4 weeks.

Adult Canines

Adult animals with no previous vaccinations should receive initial vaccination (Distemper-Parvo and rabies) and return in 3 to 4 weeks for at least one booster vaccination (Distemper-Parvo). Then Distemper-Parvo, Rabies, Bordatella and Leptospira vaccines are repeated every year.

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza (CI), or dog flu, is a highly contagious viral infection affecting dogs and also cats. At present, two strains of canine influenza virus have been identified in the United States: H3N8 and H3N2. Influenza viruses are able to quickly change and give rise to new strains that can infect different species. Both strains of canine influenza identified in the U.S. can be traced to influenza strains known to infect species other than dogs. At some point, these viruses acquired the ability to infect dogs and be transmitted from dog to dog.

Canine Distemper

This is a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure. Young, un-vaccinated puppies and non-immunized older dogs tend to be more susceptible to the disease. This debilitating and deadly disease is an often fatal viral illness that causes neurological dysfunction, pneumonia, nonspecific systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue, weight loss, as well as upper respiratory symptoms and diarrhea, poor appetite, and vomiting. Prompt vaccination can prevent this infection.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis

This is an acute liver infection in dogs. The virus is spread in the feces, urine, blood, saliva, and nasal discharge of infected dogs. It is contracted through the mouth or nose, then infects the liver and kidneys. The incubation period is 4 to 7 days. Symptoms include fever, depression, and loss of appetite, coughing, and a tender abdomen. Other symptoms include corneal edema and signs of liver disease, such as jaundice and vomiting. Treatment is symptomatic and is preventable by vaccination.

Canine Parvovirus

This disease, commonly known as parvo, is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs, especially puppies and un-vaccinated younger adults. Parvo is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. Symptoms of the illness are set within 3 to 7 days of exposure. The symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea (usually bloody). Treatment often involves veterinary hospitalization. Canine parvovirus may infect other mammals; however, it will not infect humans. This deadly disease can be prevented by timely vaccination.

Bordetella / Kennel Cough

This is an upper respiratory infection affecting dogs. The disease is called ”Kennel Cough” because the infection can spread quickly among dogs in the close quarters of a kennel or animal shelter. There are multiple causative agents, the most common being the bacteria followed by the canine parainfluenza virus. It is highly contagious. The disease is spread through air by getting exposed to the droplets produced by sneezing and coughing of infected dogs. These agents also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms begin after 3-10 days incubation period after exposure. Symptoms can include a harsh, dry cough, retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting in response to light pressing of the trachea or after excitement or exercise.Vaccination may not fully (100%) protect against the disease; however severity of the infection and complications will be considerably less in vaccinated dogs. If the pet is boarding or likely to be exposed to other dogs, a booster vaccine in every 6 months instead of yearly vaccine is highly recommended at Cornerstone Animal Hospital.

Leptospirosis

This is a bacterial disease which can affect many animals. It is rare in cats, but more common in dogs. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans. Wild animals also carry this disease, therefore, dogs with a higher potential for exposure to contaminated water and wild animals and their urine are at a greater risk (e.g., living in rural areas, hunting dogs). Symptoms include fever, decreased appetite, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea, discharge from nose and eyes, jaundice, frequent urination or lack of urination. This deadly disease mainly affects liver and kidneys. It is very preventable with vaccination.

What may happen to your pet after vaccinations?

Most of our vaccines are administered under the skin( subcutaneous). After routine vaccinations, mild side-effects are common, usually within a few hours after the administration. These reactions include: mild to moderate lethargy, pain and swelling at the site of vaccine administration, a mild fever, decreased appetite and activity. Following intranasal (in the nose) vaccinations mild coughing, sneezing or other respiratory signs may occur.

Allergic reactions to vaccines may rarely occur within a few minutes to several hours after vaccinations. These reactions are considered medical emergencies. If any of the following signs develop, call your veterinarian at Cornerstone Animal Hospital immediately or take your pet to the nearest emergency pet clinic:

  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Itchy skin that may seem bumpy (“hives”)
  • Swelling of the muzzle and around the face, neck, or eyes
  • Severe coughing or difficulty breathing
  • Collapsing
Puppy Schedule DA2PP Bordetella (Kennel cough) Leptospira Rabies
7-8 weeks 1st set 1st set
10-12 weeks Booster Booster 1st set
13-16 weeks Booster Revaccinate 6-12 months Booster 1st set
Adult 1 year Revaccinate Revaccinate Revaccinate
2 year Revaccinate yearly Revaccinate 6-12 months Revaccinate yearly Revaccinate yearly

For more information on canine vaccinations, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (817) 514-8387.