Pet Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention

Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule

There are two tasks that hold the highest priority in terms of veterinary care when adopting a new cat or dog - reproductive surgery, and mandatory vaccinations. While ideally, both are handled while the kitten or puppy is young, it's important to make absolutely sure that their vaccines are up to date and that your animal has had reproductive surgery even when adopting an adult dog or cat. 

Reproductive surgery not only prevents unwanted litters, it can also prevent unwanted behaviors and aggression in animals. Just as importantly, studies show that animals who've had reproductive surgery are at a significantly reduced chance of developing cancer later in life. If you're a new pet owner, please consult the schedule below, it is an approximation of our recommended scheduling for vaccinations and reproductive surgery during your pet's first year with you.

Cat Vaccinations

In their first year of life, kittens need the following shots to protect them from serious diseases. 

• 6 to 8 weeks
  • Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
• 10 to 12 weeks
  • Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
  • Feline Leukemia
• 14 to 16 Weeks
  • Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
  • Feline Leukemia 2
• 6 to 12 months

  While the following are not kitten vaccinations, spaying, neutering and microchipping help protect your cat from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella. 

  • Spay (females) - Spaying your female cat prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat against serious illnesses, and can help to prevent behaviors such as howling and scooting that accompany heat cycles.
  • Neuter (males) - Neutering your male cat prevents your pet from fathering unwanted kittens, protects your cat against various illnesses, and can help to prevent territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and cat aggression. 
  • Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.

Dog Vaccinations

In their first year, puppies need these shots to protect them from dangerous diseases. 

• 6 to 8 weeks
  • DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
• 10 to 12 Weeks
  • Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
  • Bordetella (Optional)
  • Leptospirosis (Optional)
• 14 to 16 Weeks
  • Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
  • Rabies
  • Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
  • Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
• 12 to 18 Months
  • Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
  • Rabies
  • Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
  • Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)

  Although the following are not puppy vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your dog from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella. 

  • Spay (female) - Dog spaying will prevent your female dog from mothering puppies, but it can also help to prevent certain cancers and regular heat cycles which can attract roaming males to your property.
  • Neuter (male) - Dog neutering can help to prevent your male dog from fathering unwanted puppies, as well as protecting your dog from a number of serious cancers, and helping to reduce the risk of roaming and dog aggression.
  • Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.

Parasite Prevention

Parasites pose a serious health threat to people and animals in the Alpharetta area. Left untreated, parasites threaten the lives of pets - and furthermore can in some rare cases be transmitted to people from their dog or cat. Our parasite prevention products can help protect your pet from the following common parasites: