Pet Vaccinations FAQ

Pet Vaccination Questions Answered by Our Scarsdale Veterinarian

To ensure good health, your dog or cat need be vaccinated as puppies and kittens and continue to get boosters throughout their lifetimes. Pet vaccinations by our Scarsdale veterinarian will help prevent harmful viruses which can impact the animal’s health. We recommend starting the vaccination process as soon as your pets are weaned or between six weeks and four months of age for maximum effectiveness.Cat and dog about to get vaccinated in Scarsdale

Why Should I Have My Pet Vaccinated At Central Animal Hospital?

Vaccinating your pets at our animal hospital prevents many hard-to-treat diseases. For example, if your pet contracts rabies, there is simply no cure. Distemper can cause irreversible brain damage and parvo is usually fatal. Fortunately, our veterinary hospital in Scarsdale offers pet vaccinations to protect your dog and cat from these diseases.

Is The Rabies Vaccination Required In Scarsdale?

Since the rabies virus can be passed between animals and humans, the vaccine is required by law in all of New York State. Vaccination is the only treatment available to prevent rabies which can be passed between wild animals to domesticated animals to humans. If your pet is unvaccinated and bites a human, your pet will be subject to quarantine or be euthanized, in order to obtain a brain tissue examination. Owners are subject to a $1000 fine in Westchester County for pets that are not vaccinated for Rabies.

What Are The Core Vaccinations At Central Animal Hospital?

We recommend the same core vaccines for dogs, regardless of whether they live inside or out. These include rabies, distemper, parvo, parainfluenza and canine adenovirus. Core cat vaccines include rabies, feline distemper, herpes, calicivirus, chlamydia, and feline leukemia. These vaccinations require initial shots and booster shots to maintain immunity.

What Are The Non-Core Pet Vaccinations At Central Animal Hospital?

Non-core vaccinations, listed below, are usually given to dogs that are routinely boarded or groomed, go to dog parks, or come in contact with other dogs. In addition, those dogs that live in tick-infested areas, should be vaccinated against Lyme disease.

– Bordetella
– Lyme disease
– Leptospirosis
– Canine influenza.

*For more information on vaccinating your pets and to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 914-723-1250.*

Should My Dog Get A Parvo Vaccine?

Parvo is a highly contagious virus that can be passed from dog to dog. Symptoms of parvo include severe intestinal damage, resulting in extreme vomiting and bloody diarrhea. While some dogs can be saved, parvo is considered fatal. Dogs should be vaccinated between six weeks and four months of age. This vaccination requires two doses for protection, and those doses should be spaced four weeks apart at an animal hospital in Scarsdale. To maintain immunity, dogs should receive booster shots one year after the initial vaccination and every three years for the rest of their lives.

For more information on vaccinating your pets and to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 914-723-1250.