Wellness and Preventive Medicine                                                                 Back


Vaccination Protocol

Oradell Animal Hospital's healthcare recommendations for cats are as follows:

We recommend that vaccinations begin at 6-8 weeks of age if the kitten has nursed well from the mother. (If an orphan-vaccines should be started earlier).

  • The first vaccine given is to prevent panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calici viruses. This is repeated at 10-12 weeks of age and again at 14-16 weeks of age. Repeating the vaccine is necessary because maternal antibodies may interfere with vaccinations until the kitten is 14-16 weeks of age.
  • Rabies vaccine is administered at 12-16 weeks of age and is required by NJ law.
  • At the first or second visit FeLV (leukemia virus), FIV (immunodeficiency virus), and FeBart (the cat scratch fever bacterium) testing is performed.
  • Fecal (stool) examinations are performed at 2 of the first 3 visits (please bring a sample with you). De-worming medications for common internal parasites are administered at the first two visits regardless of past fecal or parasite history.
  • Monthly internal and external parasite prevention is begun at the first visit.
  • Leukemia virus vaccination is recommended for those cats that may have any exposure to the outdoors or to cats that have been outdoors. This vaccine is given at 10-12 weeks of age and repeated at 14-16 weeks of age.
  • Sterilization surgery (castration or ovariohysterectomy) is performed at 6 months of age. Microchipping for permanent identification is also performed at this time.

All vaccines are boostered at 12-15 months of age. Rabies and leukemia virus vaccines are then boostered every year while panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calici vaccines are boostered every third year. For those cats with exposure to the outdoors or to cats that have been outdoors, yearly testing for FeLV, FIV, FeBart, and Heartworm is strongly recommended. All cats should also have a fecal examination yearly.

Please remember that these recommendations are general guidelines. The attending veterinarian will make the final determination of the protocols that are appropriate for your pet.

Oradell Animal Hospital's healthcare recommendations for dogs are as follows:

We recommend that vaccinations begin at 6-8 weeks of age if the puppy has nursed well from the mother. (If an orphan--vaccines should be started earlier).

  • The first vaccine given is to prevent distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. This is repeated at 10-12 weeks of age and again at 14-16 weeks of age. Repeating the vaccine is necessary because maternal antibodies may interfere with vaccinations until the puppy is 14-16 weeks of age.
  • We also recommend intranasal vaccination for Bordetella at 6-8 weeks of age to guard against canine cough (which may be contracted at grooming facilities, boarding facilities, dog parks, dog day care facilities, training classes, and even veterinary hospitals). This vaccine is repeated by injection at 10-12 weeks of age.
  • Rabies vaccine is given at 12-16 weeks of age and is required by NJ law.
  • Deworming medications for common internal parasites are administered at the first two visits regardless of past fecal or parasite history
  • Monthly internal and external parasite preventatives are begun at the first visit.
  • Leptospira vaccination is recommended for those dogs that may spend time outdoors, all hunting dogs, and especially those that may drink from puddles, ponds or streams. This vaccine is given at 10-12 weeks of age and repeated at 14-16 weeks of age.
  • Lyme vaccination is recommended for those dogs that may spend time in areas where deer may be present and/or where tick infestations are high. This vaccine is given at 10-12 weeks of age and repeated at 14-16 weeks of age.
  • Sterilization surgery (castration or ovariohysterectomy) is performed at 6 months of age. Microchipping for permanent identification is also performed at this time.

All vaccines are boostered at 12-15 months of age. Distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus vaccines are then boostered every third year. Rabies vaccine is boostered every two to three years. Lyme vaccine is boostered yearly. Heartworm blood testing is performed yearly. Bordetella and Leptospira vaccines are boostered every 6-12 months depending on the exposure risk of the patient. All dogs should also have a fecal examination yearly.

Please remember that these recommendations are general guidelines. The attending veterinarian will make the final determination of the protocols that are appropriate for your pet.


Parasite Prevention

Fecal Exams are recommended twice Yearly as ideal-once yearly as a minimum

Cats

Ectoparasites (Parasites of the Skin)
1. Revolution topical is applied monthly year-round and will control fleas, heartworms, ear mites, hookworms and roundworms
2. If ticks are a problem-we recommend Frontline Plus topically on a monthly basis

Endoparasites (Parasites of the Gastrointestinal Tract)
1. Either Interceptor orally or Revolution topically

Dogs

Ectoparasites (Parasites of the Skin)
1. Frontline Plus is applied once monthly year-round
2. If ticks are not well-controlled a Preventic collar changed every 3 months should be added.

Endoparasites (Parasites of the Gastrointestinal Tract)
1. Either Interceptor or Sentinel orally

It is important that you do not skip any doses of your pet's parasite preventive medications!!

Link to Companion Animal Parasite Council