Pet Vaccinations

Vaccines are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your pet from serious disease.

Core Vaccines and Lifestyle Vaccines

We tailor your pet’s vaccination schedule to their age, health, and exposure risks. For dogs, core vaccines protect against rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. For cats, core vaccines include rabies and protection against panleukopenia and common upper respiratory viruses.

Other vaccines depend on your pet’s lifestyle. A dog that boards, visits a groomer, or spends time at dog parks may need different protection from one with less contact with other dogs. At each wellness visit, our team will review your pet’s activities and recommend an appropriate schedule.

V.E.T. Care Hospital provides vaccinations for dogs, cats, and certain exotic pets.

Common Questions About Pet Vaccinations

It’s natural to have questions about which vaccines your pet needs, which are required by law, and what to watch for after a vaccination. We’ve answered some common questions below. If you’re unsure which vaccines your pet has received, call us and we’ll check their record.

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Is the rabies vaccine required in Texas?

Texas requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and kept current thereafter. After your pet’s vaccination at V.E.T. Care Hospital, we’ll provide a rabies certificate as proof. Keep it handy for travel and for boarding or grooming facilities that request it. It’s also an important record if your pet bites someone or encounters wildlife.

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Which vaccines does my dog actually need?

Dogs need rabies vaccination and a core combination vaccine that protects against distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Other vaccines depend on your dog’s activities and exposure. If your dog boards, visits a groomer or dog park, or spends time outdoors, we may discuss protection against Bordetella, leptospirosis, or canine influenza. We’ll review your dog’s routine and recommend the vaccines that fit their risks.

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Are annual boosters still necessary?

Vaccine schedules vary. Some vaccines are given annually, while others may be effective for up to three years, depending on the product and your pet’s vaccination history. At each wellness visit, we review your pet’s record and let you know which vaccines are due under the product guidelines and Texas requirements

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Can my pet have a reaction to a vaccine?

Most pets feel fine after vaccination. Some may be a little sore, tired, or less interested in food for a day. Serious reactions are uncommon, but facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, or difficulty breathing need prompt attention. Call us at (817) 295-7101 right away; if we’re closed, contact an emergency veterinarian.

Why Vaccination Matters

Parvovirus and distemper still pose serious risks to dogs in Texas. Treatment can be difficult and costly, particularly when a puppy with parvovirus needs hospitalization. Rabies is also a threat to people, which is why keeping pets vaccinated matters.

Vaccines cannot prevent every case, but completing the recommended series greatly reduces your pet’s risk. Preventing these diseases is far easier on your pet than treating them after they become sick.

Vaccine Schedules by Life Stage

A vaccine schedule should follow your pet through life rather than resetting every single year.

Puppies and kittens need a series of vaccines as the protection they received from their mothers fades. Our puppy and kitten care visits help you keep track of that first-year schedule. As pets grow, booster timing depends on the vaccine, their history, and applicable requirements.

Older pets may still need vaccines. During a senior pet care visit, we’ll review which ones remain appropriate. Vaccination needs for animals seen through our exotic pet medicine services vary by species. Explore all our veterinary services to learn more.

Dogs

Core vaccines protect dogs against rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. We may also recommend Bordetella, leptospirosis, or canine influenza vaccines based on your dog’s boarding, travel, grooming, and outdoor activities. Parainfluenza is commonly included in combination vaccines.

Cats

Cats need rabies vaccination and the core combination vaccine, which protects against panleukopenia, herpesvirus, and calicivirus. We may also recommend feline leukemia vaccination based on your cat’s age and exposure risk, particularly if they go outdoors or live with cats whose FeLV status is unknown.

Grey plush cat with amber eyes sits on a table next to a blue-and-black