Vaccines are very important for cats and dogs because they protect them from serious and sometimes deadly diseases. Just like people, pets can get infections from viruses and bacteria. Vaccines help their immune systems learn how to fight these diseases before they get sick.

Why Vaccines Are Important

Prevent serious diseases that can make pets very sick or cause death

Protect other animals by stopping the spread of disease

Protect humans from diseases that animals can pass to people (like rabies)

Save money by preventing expensive medical treatments later

Required by law in many places (especially rabies vaccine)

Basic Dog Vaccines and What They Prevent

Rabies: 

Prevents rabies virus, Spread through bites from infected animals, Almost always fatal once symptoms appear, Required by law in most states

Distemper:

Prevents canine distemper virus, Affects lungs, brain, and nervous system, Causes coughing, seizures, and death

Parvovirus

Prevents parvo, Causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, Very dangerous for puppies

Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

Prevents liver infection, Affects kidneys, liver, and eyes

Parainfluenza

Prevents respiratory infection, Part of kennel cough complex

These are often given together in a DHPP vaccine.

Basic Cat Vaccines and What They Prevent

Rabies

Prevents rabies virus, Required by law in many places, Protects both cats and humans

Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia)

Causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness,  Can be deadly in kittens

Feline Herpesvirus

Causes upper respiratory infections, Leads to sneezing, eye infections, and runny nose

Calicivirus

Causes respiratory disease and mouth ulcers

These are often given together in an FVRCP vaccine.