Vaccinating your puppy or dog is an essential part of ensuring they remain happy and healthy. Without vaccinating your dog, they are at risk of contracting potentially fatal diseases. Some of the most harmful diseases have vaccines that can build up your pet's immunity and ability to fight against it if they ever come in contact.

How do you decide which vaccines to give my dog?

We perform a vaccine risk assessment during your dog's physical exam to determine the necessity of vaccination. Our veterinarians will discuss your pet's exposure to diseases, immune issues, previous vaccine history, and individual needs. Based on our assessment, we'll determine which vaccinations are best for your puppy or dog. To learn more about our vaccine risk assessment process, please contact us at 709-256-3891.

What's the difference between core and non-core vaccines?

While core vaccines are necessary, non-core vaccines are administered based on your pet's risk of contracting certain diseases. For example, if you live in an area where your pet has a high risk of coming into contact with ticks that transmit Lyme disease, we'll recommend this vaccine. Some diseases, like Lyme disease, are zoonotic which means they pose a risk to humans as well. By vaccinating your pet, you're also protecting yourself.

Which core and non-vaccines are available?

Based on the veterinarian's recommendations, they will develop a vaccination plan which includes a combination of core and non-core vaccines. We start administering vaccines when your puppy is 6 to 9-weeks-old. Their vaccination plan grows with them throughout adulthood, with boosters being administered every 1-2 years. Some vaccines we administer include:

• Distemper (Core)
• Parainfluenza (Core)
• Rabies (Core)
• Parvovirus (Core)
• Adenovirus (Core)
• Lyme disease (Non-core) - available by request only
• Leptospirosis (Non-core) - available by request only