Preventative care is defined as preventing health issues before they occur. This includes proper exercise, weight management, nutrition, oral hygiene, mental enrichment, immunizations and preventative parasite protection when indicated.
For our patients, we offer immunizations for the preventable diseases present in Alberta. We follow AAHA/AAFP guidelines on vaccination, which prioritizes lifestyle risk assessments and and evidence-based vaccination intervals. For some of these diseases, antibody titre testing is available.
We respect your decision as the pet parent regarding vaccinations for your personal pets. Some of the most serious diseases in our pets can be prevented through immunizations, and as such we recommend titre testing for these diseases to ensure your pets have immunity if they are not following AAHA/AAFP vaccination guidelines.
Older pets often have waning immunity when long intervals between vaccinations occur, and they tend to have weaker immune systems. Young puppies and kittens often have maternal antibody interference before 8-16 weeks, and may not receive proper immunity from vaccinations before their maternal antibodies have gone.
Canine Immunizations:
- Distemper, Adenovirus (Hepatitis), Parvovirus (DA2P/DA2PP)
- Antibody titre testing available
- Recommended every 4 weeks starting at 8 weeks, with final puppy booster at 16 weeks or later
- Recommended 1 year after puppy series, then every 3 years thereafter
- Parainfluenza (part of DA2PP/core vaccine) – no antibody titre testing available
- Rabies – Antibody titre testing available*
- Recommended to be given first at 16 weeks or older, then repeated 1 year later, then every 3 years thereafter
- For rabies, proof of antibody titres does not substitute for proof of vaccination for travelling to the USA or for legal bite cases
- There are two types of antibody titres for rabies – one is required for certain export locations such as Hawaii, Australia, etc.
- Recommended to be given first at 16 weeks or older, then repeated 1 year later, then every 3 years thereafter
- Bordetella (kennel cough) – no antibody titre testing available
- Recommended to be given once during puppy appointments
- Booster required annually
- Recommended for dogs who regularly interact with other dogs at dog parks, kennels, daycares and groomers
- For travelling pets who go out of province, leptospirosis can be ordered with advance notice – no antibody titre testing is available
- Initial series is 2 vaccines 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annually
Feline Immunizations:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (herpes), Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
- Antibody titre testing available
- Recommended every 4 weeks starting at 8 weeks, with final kitten booster at 16 weeks or later
- Recommended 1 year after kitten series, then every 3 years thereafter
- Rabies
- Recommended to be given first at 16 weeks or older, then repeated 1 year later, then every 3 years thereafter
- For rabies, proof of antibody titres does not substitute for proof of vaccination for travelling to the USA or for legal bite cases
- There are two types of antibody titres for rabies – one is required for certain export locations such as Hawaii, Australia, etc.
- Recommended to be given first at 16 weeks or older, then repeated 1 year later, then every 3 years thereafter
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
- Recommended to be given two doses 2-4 weeks apart
- Booster annually
- Recommended for all kittens and cats who regularly interact with other cats outdoors, rescue foster programs, catio access and kennels. It is also recommended for any cats who share a home with an FeLV positive cat.
Bunny Immunizations:
- Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDv)
- Recommended annually
- Effective within 7 days of initial vaccination
- For updates on Alberta’s RHDv situation, visit Alberta’s RHDv Update