Puppies: Typically receive their first vaccination around 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3-4 weeks until they are 16-20 weeks old. Core vaccines include Distemper, Adenovirus (Hepatitis), Parvovirus (DHPP or DAPP), and Rabies.
Kittens: Usually start vaccinations around 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Core vaccines include Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP), and Rabies.
Importance of Core Vaccines: These vaccines protect against highly contagious and often fatal diseases. Distemper, Adenovirus, and Parvovirus in dogs, and FVRCP and Rabies in cats, can cause severe illness, suffering, and death. Vaccination is crucial for individual animal health and for maintaining herd immunity within a population, preventing widespread outbreaks.