Pet Vaccines in Saint Cloud at Boysen Animal Hospital

Our veterinary team and veterinarian in Saint Cloud, MN, are firm advocates for pet vaccines. These are an essential component of pet care for cats and dogs, especially for those who routinely go outdoors or who live in multiple pet households. We provide both core and non-core vaccines designed to keep your pets free of common illness and chronic conditions throughout their lifetime.

What are Pet Vaccines for?

Pet vaccines stimulate the immune system to create antibodies that help provide greater resistance against both common and rare diseases. Core vaccines are considered essential, and some, such as rabies, are often required by law. Non-core vaccines are not essential, but they might be recommended by our veterinarian depending on an animal’s lifestyle. Vaccines often differ for cats and dogs, as discussed below.

Core and Non-Core Vaccines for Canines

The most common core vaccine for canines is rabies, which is generally required by law in many states and counties. Rabies vaccines are administered in a three-year dose. Additional canine core vaccines include distemper, canine hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. These four are serious conditions and are administered in a single shot such as the DHPP.

Non-core vaccines our veterinary team offers include:

• Lyme disease
• Canine herpes virus
• Bordetella/Kennel Cough
• Borrelia Burgdorferi

Core and Non-Core Vaccinations for Felines

While their needs are similar to dogs, core vaccines for cats are designed to ward off unique conditions that only cats experience, such as rabies, Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), Feline Herpesvirus Type I (Rhinotracheitis), and Feline Calicivirus. Non-core shots our Saint Cloud veterinarian may recommend for most cats are the Feline FIV and feline leukemia.

It is important to note that the rabies vaccine is administered annually for cats. We are happy to help you decide what vaccinations your pets need based on their health and lifestyle.

Why It’s Important to Vaccinate Your Pets Throughout Their Lives

It is recommended to get your dogs or cats core vaccines around eight weeks of age, which is also the ideal time to have them spayed or neutered and microchipped. Follow up shots for kittens and puppies will happen over the first four months of their lives. However, certain core vaccines will need to be updated annually in some cases to retain their efficacy. Failure to maintain updated vaccinations can lead to unexpected illness or serious disease complications.

Contact Boysen Animal Hospital for Vaccinations

Our veterinarian services the Saint Cloud and Waite Park, MN, areas and is pleased to help you with all your pets’ wellness needs. Contact Boysen Animal Hospital online or call us at 320-258-5400 to schedule an appointment.