Pets today can live longer, healthier lives than ever before—in part because of vaccines that help protect them from deadly infectious diseases. Over the years, vaccines against dangerous diseases have saved millions of pets and virtually eliminated some fatal diseases that were once common. Unfortunately, many infectious diseases still pose a significant threat to dogs and cats that are unvaccinated. Although vaccine programs have been highly successful and vaccines are considered routine today, we (as caregivers) and you (as pet parents) cannot afford to become complacent about keeping pets up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Many vaccines are available for use in dogs and cats, but not every pet needs every available vaccine. Some vaccines are considered core vaccines and should be administered to all pets, whereas other vaccines are optional and may be recommended for pets based on a variety of factors, such as their risk for exposure to disease. Vaccine recommendations can also change throughout a pet’s life, as travel habits and other variables change. We will consider all these factors as we determine which vaccines your pet should have.

We understand that your pet is unique and that no single vaccine program will be ideal for every pet in every situation. Our doctors and other staff members are well-educated about veterinary vaccines, and our goal is to give you the best advice for keeping your pet healthy. Let us develop a vaccination schedule and ongoing booster routine that accounts for your pet’s lifestyle, overall health, risk for exposure to infectious disease, and other factors.

Vaccines help pets live longer, healthier lives. Protecting your pet is our primary goal, so developing an appropriate vaccine schedule for your pet is important to us. Call us today to set up an appointment to discuss your pet’s vaccination needs.

Canine Vaccinations

During your pet’s first visit to All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, your pet’s vet will determine your pet’s vaccination history and which dog vaccinations your pet needs in order to stay healthy. Vaccines are injections of antigens that stimulate the immune system and help your pet develop immunity to common illnesses and deadly diseases. Getting your pet vaccinated on a regular basis will help your pet stay healthy and will also help your pet ward off future illnesses. At All Creatures Veterinary, we carry core and non-core vaccinations for pets of Omaha.

 

Vaccination Schedule for Dogs and Puppies

Your puppy can be vaccinated for the first time when he or she is 6 to 8 weeks old. After that, we’ll have your pet return to our clinic every three to four weeks until he or she is about 16 weeks old. Once your pet has had his or her puppy vaccinations, we’ll have your pet return to our clinic for boosters every 1 to 3 years, depending on your dog’s overall health and the type of vaccines being administered.

Required Vaccinations

Rabies is a deadly disease that can spread from animals to humans when a human is a bit by an infected animal. To protect the people, the rabies vaccine is required by law for animals older than 12 weeks of age. In order for your pet to be licensed, you must vaccinate your pet with the rabies vaccine. At All Creatures Veterinary, we administer the rabies vaccine to pets of our community.

Core Vaccinations Administered by All Creatures Veterinary Clinic

The core vaccinations are those vaccines that are given to all dogs. Rabies is a core vaccine. The other core vaccines include:

  • Canine parvovirus. This virus is highly contagious and can affect your dog’s intestinal tract or heart.
  • Distemper. Distemper is an incurable illness that affects the gastrointestinal, urogenital, respiratory, and nervous system of the dog.
  • Canine hepatitis. This illness is an acute liver infection found in dogs.

At All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, we administer all the core vaccines to puppies and adult dogs as needed.

Non-Core Vaccinations

Non-core vaccines include Lyme’s disease, Canine Influenza, and Leptospirosis. These vaccinations are given to pets based on their need. We only recommend these vaccines for pets who are at high-risk for these illnesses. If we determine that your pet could benefit from a non-core vaccination, we’ll tell you during upcoming pet exams.

Side Effects of Vaccinations

Side effects from puppy and dog vaccinations are usually mild. Your puppy or dog may become lethargic, achy, or irritable for a day after the vaccination. If your pet displays more serious side effects, contact your pet’s veterinarian in Omaha right away.

Contact All Creatures Veterinary Clinic for your Puppies Vaccines

At All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, we offer dog and puppy vaccines and pet exams to our patients. To make an appointment for pet vaccinations, contact us today at (402) 399-8224.

Feline Vaccinations

Visiting All Creatures Veterinary Clinic for pet exams may result in a schedule for vaccinations and treatments. Kittens and cats require certain vaccines to stay healthy and to avoid ailments in their life. At All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, we provide pet vaccinations at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic to address the needs of your pets.

Schedules for Cat Vaccination at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic

Cat vaccinations at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic follow a careful schedule. A veterinarian at All Creature Veterinary Clinic will recommend the appropriate scheduling after evaluating the health of your cat or kitten. While specifics may vary based on the cat’s current health, vaccines usually start at six to eight weeks after the birth of a kitten. We may recommend waiting if your cat has an ailment, but most kittens start a schedule at a young age.

Required Kitten Vaccines

Kitten vaccines fall into two main categories: core and non-core vaccinations. All Creatures Veterinary Clinic care for kittens and cats requires core vaccines, regardless of your cat’s lifestyle and risk factors. The required vaccines include:

  • Rabies
  • Feline distemper
  • Feline calici virus
  • Feline herpies virus type 1

Required vaccines for a kitten focus on common risks and health concerns. We may recommend additional vaccines if your cat has a risk of exposure to certain sicknesses or health problems.

What is a Core Vaccination?

A core vaccination refers to a type of mandatory vaccine for your cat. Generally, it is the common risks to your cat or sicknesses that a cat may pass on to their owners. We give your kitten appropriate core vaccines from a young age and recommend booster shots every one to three years, depending on the vaccine and the health concerns associated with a sickness.

Is it Safe to Vaccinate a Cat at One Time?

Pet vaccinations in Omaha depend on the needs of your cat and their health. In most cases, it is safe to combine certain vaccinations; however, rabies shots aresometimes administered at a different time and we may recommend separate vaccines in certain situations. In most cases, we give a combination vaccine to your kitten and additional vaccines over time.

How Often Should Kittens and Adult Cats Return for Vaccinations?

During pet exams, an All Creatures veterinarian evaluates the health of your kitten or cat. We then develop a vaccination schedule and a treatment plan based on the needs of your pet. In most cases, kittens return for vaccinations every few weeks to one year to keep up with their needs. Older cats may not require the number of vaccines because you focus on booster shots rather than initial vaccinations. Your older cat may only need a booster every three years as long as they remain healthy and do not have a risk of exposure to certain ailments.

Keeping your cat or kitten healthy starts with proper veterinary care and vaccinations. At our clinic, we offer vaccinations after evaluating the needs of your cat. To learn more about keeping your kitten healthy throughout it’s life or for an appointment with an All Creatures veterinarian, here in Omaha, call 402-399-8224.

Vaccination FAQs

Frequently Asked Vaccination Questions at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic

If you wonder why veterinary clinics and other animal health institutions are constantly reminding owners to vaccinate their pets, you probably have a lot of questions about what these substances are and how they should be administered.Here are the answers to frequently asked vaccination questions at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic.

 

How long does it take for a vaccine to work?

A vaccine typically requires anywhere from 2 to 7 days to trigger the necessary immune response in your pet.

How often do puppies and kittens need to return to All Creatures Veterinary Clinic for pet vaccinations?

Your All Creatures Veterinarian generally administers vaccination every 3 to 4 weeks during the first 16 weeks of life with less frequent booster shots in the years that follow. Some of these vaccines can be delivered together in a single combination shot.

I missed a round of vaccines. What should I do?

If more than 2 or 3 months have passed, your All Creatures Veterinarian will recommend administering a pair of fresh vaccinations schedule 2 or 3 weeks apart.

Why do younger animals need a series of vaccinations?

Puppies and kittens haven’t yet built up their own disease immunity; they’re merely borrowing antibodies from their mother’s milk. Vaccinations are therefore critical to safeguard them against killer diseases by jump-starting the necessary immune responses.

What is the earliest age at which pets can be vaccinated? 

Your All Creatures Veterinarian can administer a pet’s first round of vaccinations by the age of 6 to 8 weeks.

What are the risks and side effects?

Most vaccination side effects are mild and non-threatening, such as local swelling and discomfort, low fever and respiratory “sniffles.” More serious symptoms indicate an adverse reaction difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness or collapse- Please call All Creatures Veterinary Clinic at 402-399-8224, and bring you pet back immediately for treatment. If the suspected vaccine reaction occurs after 5:30pm, please call Urgent Pet Care (402-991-9444 or 402-597-2911) and take to the ER clinic for treatment after-hours.

 How often does my pet need to receive booster shots at your Omaha veterinary center?

Different vaccines have different life spans, so your pet may need periodic booster shots to reinforce specific protections from time to time. Your Omaha veterinarian will provide your pet with a personalized schedule of core and elective vaccinations.

What if my pet is pregnant or nursing?

Pregnant or nursing pets should not receive vaccinations during this period. We don’t want to expose the fetus or baby animal to potential risks.

What if I don’t have a copy of my pet’s vaccination records?

If your pet had his previous vaccinations at his previous vaccinations at All Creatures Veterinary clinic within the past few. If you and your pet are new to All Creatures, we will ask you to bring a copy of medical records. If you don’t have the records, but do know the name of your previous veterinary clinic; we can contact them, and help you recover your pet’s previous vaccine & medical history.

Schedule Pet Exams and Vaccinations at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic

Routine pet exams are the perfect time to take care of your pet’s vaccination needs — and All Creatures Veterinary Clinic is the perfect place. Call (402) 399-8224 to schedule pet vaccinations in Omaha and have any remaining questions answered by your All Creatures veterinarian!