Cat & Dog Vaccinations and Prevention
At Jefferson Animal Hospital, we focus on preventive care to keep some of the most common diseases and disorders in your pet from developing in the first place.
Combined with regular wellness exams, pet vaccinations and parasite prevention will form the foundation of your dog or cat's routine healthcare and help with their overall well-being.
Preventive care ensures that your pet lives a long and healthy life and that health issues are caught early. Our team will collaborate with you to develop a personalized preventive care plan for your cat or dog based on their specific needs.
Pet Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
Current dog and cat vaccinations are required to protect your pet from a variety of contagious, often fatal, diseases. Spaying or neutering your pet not only prevents unwanted litters, but these common veterinary surgeries can also help to protect your pet from some serious cancers. They have the potential to prevent undesirable behaviors like howling, scooting, roaming, and aggression.
Cat Vaccinations
In their first year, kittens need the following shots to protect them from serious diseases.
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6 to 8 weeks
- Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
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10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
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14 to 16 weeks
- Rabies
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia 2
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5 to 6 months
While the following are not kitten vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your cat from several health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spay (females) - Spaying your female cat prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat against serious illnesses, and can help to prevent behaviors such as howling and scooting that accompany heat cycles.
- Neuter (males) - Neutering your male cat prevents your pet from fathering unwanted kittens, protects your cat against various illnesses, and can help to prevent territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and cat aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted beneath the skin of your pet. Pets with microchips have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.
Dog Vaccinations
In their first year, puppies need these shots to protect them from dangerous diseases.
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6 to 8 weeks
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
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10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Bordetella (Optional)
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
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14 to 16 weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Although the following are not puppy vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your dog from several health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spay (female) - Dog spaying will prevent your female dog from mothering puppies, but it can also help to prevent certain cancers and regular heat cycles which can attract roaming males to your property.
- Neuter (male) - Dog neutering can help to prevent your male dog from fathering unwanted puppies, as well as protecting your dog from several serious cancers, and helping to reduce the risk of roaming and dog aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted beneath the skin of your pet. Pets with microchips have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.
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12 to 16 months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites are a serious health risk to both humans and animals in the Port Jefferson region. Parasites, if left untreated, can endanger the life of your cat or dog and, in some cases, can be transmitted to other people or pets in your home. Our parasite prevention products can help keep your dog or cat safe from the following parasites:
Fleas
Fleas are external parasites that feed on the blood of birds and mammals. Left untreated, fleas can quickly spread throughout your household.
Ticks
These external parasites consume the blood of mammals and are responsible for spreading several serious conditions in people and pets.
Ear Mites
Tiny, highly contagious ear mites reside in the ear canals of dogs, cats, and other mammals. These parasites continuously reproduce during their life.
Heartworm
This thread-like parasitic worm spreads through mosquito bites and makes its home in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected animals.
Hookworm
These parasites live in the digestive tract of cats and dogs and feed on the pet's blood. Hookworms can lead to anemia and other conditions.
Roundworm
This parasitic worm lives in the intestine and feeds on partially digested food. This parasite can rob your pet of vital nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms are spread through the ingestion of infected fleas during grooming. These hook-like parasitic worms live and grow in your pet's intestines.
Whipworm
Whipworms are spread through the ingestion of soil that has been in contact with an infected dog's feces. Whipworms pose a serious health risk to dogs.