Canine Vaccines

Rabies Vaccine

State law requires that all cats and dogs be vaccinated for rabies, a deadly virus that is contagious to other animals and also people.  Puppies should be vaccinated around twelve weeks.  After a booster the following year, the adult dog should be vaccinated for rabies once every three years.  You will receive a rabies tag and certificate  with every rabies shot.

Distemper, Parvo, and Others

It is also important to protect your dog from distemper and parvo with an annual combo vaccine. If your pet spends time outdoors, around other pets, or around wildlife, these immunizations are essential. Distemper is a highly contagious virus that can attack the dog's nervous system, often with fatal results.  Parvo attacks the gastrointestinal tract and can be just as deadly, especially in puppies.  A single injection once a year can prevent both of these diseases as well as others such as parainfluenza and leptospirosis. Puppies should receive a series of boosters to ensure immunity before they are exposed to other dogs. 

A kennel cough vaccine may also be appropriate if your pet spends time in boarding facilities, kennels, doggy day care, or other places where there are lots of other dogs.  This is also administered once a year.

What to Expect

When your dog or puppy comes for vaccines he will get a shot or two.  The animals usually don't make much fuss and it's over before they know it happened!  The kennel cough vaccine is administered intranasally.  In the hours after being vaccinated your pet may seem tired or have some soreness at the site of the injection.  This is normal and will pass.  However, if you have concerns about your pet's behavior or your pet seems to be having a reaction that is out of the ordinary, please give us a call at 256 - 381 - 6210.

For more information, click here to read the AVMA's Vaccine FAQ.