310 E. University Dr Granger, IN 46530
Protecting Your Pet with Preventive Vaccinations
Vaccinations remain one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect a pet from serious illness. A single visit can guard against diseases that were once common causes of severe illness and death in dogs and cats, many of which have no reliable cure once a pet becomes infected.
At University Park Veterinary Hospital in Granger, IN, we build vaccination schedules around each pet's age, lifestyle, and level of risk, rather than applying the same plan to every animal that comes through our doors. We are glad to provide this care for pet owners throughout Granger, South Bend, Mishawaka, Notre Dame, Elkhart, and Osceola in Indiana, as well as Niles, Buchanan, Edwardsburg, and Cassopolis in Michigan.
How Vaccines Protect Your Pet
Vaccines help your pet's immune system learn to recognize and defend against specific diseases before exposure occurs. This process takes time and often requires more than one dose to build full protection, which is why puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines rather than a single shot. Once a pet's immune system has been properly primed, periodic boosters help maintain that protection throughout their life, since immunity to certain diseases can decrease over time.
Core Vaccines for Dogs and Cats
Some vaccines are considered essential for nearly every pet, regardless of lifestyle, because they protect against diseases that are widespread, highly contagious, or particularly severe.
- Core vaccines for dogs typically include Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, and Rabies
- Core vaccines for cats typically include Feline distemper (panleukopenia), Calicivirus, Herpesvirus, and Rabies
Lifestyle Vaccines Based on Individual Risk
Beyond the core vaccines, certain pets benefit from additional protection based on their specific lifestyle and exposure risk. During your pet's wellness visit, our team reviews their day to day life to help determine which of these vaccines make sense for them.
- Lifestyle vaccines for dogs may include Bordetella, Canine influenza, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease
- Lifestyle vaccines for cats may include Feline leukemia
A Typical Vaccination Timeline
Puppies and kittens generally begin their vaccination series between six and eight weeks of age, with follow up visits roughly every three to four weeks until they reach around sixteen weeks old. This spacing allows the immune system to build protection gradually while accounting for maternal antibodies that can interfere with early doses. Once the initial series is complete, most pets move to a schedule of annual or multi year boosters depending on the specific vaccine, and our team keeps track of what is due at each wellness visit so nothing gets missed.
Keeping Vaccinations on Schedule
Staying current on vaccinations is easiest when it becomes part of your pet's regular wellness routine rather than something addressed only when a booster is overdue. Our team tracks each pet's vaccination history and lets you know what is due at every visit, helping make sure protection never lapses, whether your pet is a puppy working through their first series or a senior dog due for a routine booster.