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- Yuen Long Vet Recommendations｜Complete Guide to Petcore Veterinary Clinic Services
- Sai Kung Veterinary Clinic｜24-Hour Emergency Services & Fee Guide
- Yuen Long Pet X-ray Examination｜When Does Your Cat or Dog Need an X-ray?
- Cat Kidney Failure Symptoms & Treatment｜Vet Guide to Preventing Feline Kidney Disease
- Feline Stomatitis Causes & Treatment｜What to Do If Your Cat Won't Eat?
- Cat Cold Symptoms｜Does Your Sneezing Cat with Runny Nose Need to See a Vet?
- Complete Guide to Cat Vomiting Causes｜When Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet?
- Cat Urinary Tract Problems｜Blood in Urine, Frequent Urination Symptoms & Treatment
- Dog Stomach Pain Symptoms｜Causes of Abdominal Pain in Dogs & Emergency Care
- Dog Skin Allergy Symptoms｜What to Do If Your Dog Keeps Scratching?
- Dog Vomiting & Diarrhoea｜Gastroenteritis Symptoms & Treatment
- Dog Heartworm Prevention & Treatment｜Vet's Guide to Protecting Your Pet
- Dog Heartworm Prevention & Treatment｜Vet's Guide to Protecting Your Pet
- Pet Acupuncture Treatment｜What Are the Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture for Cats and Dogs?
- Pet Physiotherapy｜Post-Surgical Rehabilitation & Senior Pet Care
- Pet Neutering Surgery｜Best Time to Neuter Cats & Dogs and Post-Operative Care
- Pet Vaccination Schedule｜Complete Guide to Kitten and Puppy Vaccines
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Pet Vaccination Schedule｜Complete Guide to Kitten and Puppy Vaccines
Pet Vaccination Schedule｜Complete Guide to Kitten and Puppy Vaccines
Pet vaccines are an essential line of defence protecting your pet from deadly infectious diseases. Whether it's cat vaccines or dog vaccines, timely vaccination can effectively prevent serious diseases such as feline panleukopenia, canine distemper, and rabies. This article provides a detailed explanation of the kitten vaccination schedule, puppy vaccination timing, vaccine types, and important considerations to help you establish complete immune protection for your pet.
Why Do Pets Need Vaccinations?
Pet vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, enabling pets to effectively fight off pathogens when exposed, preventing infection or reducing disease severity.
Importance of Vaccination
- Prevents Fatal Diseases: Many infectious diseases like feline panleukopenia and canine distemper have extremely high mortality rates
- Protects Young Animals: Kittens and puppies have immature immune systems and need the most protection
- Stops Disease Spread: Herd immunity reduces pathogen transmission in the community
- Legal Requirement: Hong Kong law requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies
- Boarding/Grooming Requirements: Many facilities require proof of vaccination
Core vs Non-Core Vaccines
| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Core Vaccines | Must be given to all pets; prevents the most common and serious diseases | Cats: FVRCP; Dogs: DHPPi, Rabies |
| Non-Core Vaccines | Depends on living environment and risk factors | Cats: Feline Leukaemia; Dogs: Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough |
Types of Cat Vaccines
Cat vaccines mainly consist of 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 combinations, which are essential vaccines for all cats:
3-in-1 Vaccine (FVRCP / F3)
The core vaccine all cats must receive—one injection prevents three fatal diseases:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR/FHV-1): Feline herpesvirus, causes "cat flu"
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Causes oral ulcers, respiratory infections
- Feline Panleukopenia (FPV/Feline Distemper): Gastrointestinal disease with extremely high mortality rate
4-in-1 Vaccine
3-in-1 + Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV):
- Suitable for cats that go outdoors or have contact with other cats
- Recommended for multi-cat households
- Feline leukaemia spreads through body fluids and can cause immune system collapse
Other Cat Vaccines
- Rabies Vaccine: Not legally required in Hong Kong, but needed for travel or export
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Vaccine: Limited effectiveness, rarely used
Kitten Vaccination Schedule
Below is the recommended kitten vaccination schedule to ensure your pet receives complete protection:
| Age | Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | 3-in-1 (FVRCP) First dose | Kitten's first vaccination |
| 10–12 weeks | 3-in-1 Second dose | 3–4 weeks after first dose |
| 14–16 weeks | 3-in-1 Third dose | Completes primary immunisation |
| 1 year | 3-in-1 Booster | First annual booster |
| Annually/Every 3 years | 3-in-1 Booster | Depends on vaccine brand and veterinary advice |
Why Are Three Doses Needed?
Maternal antibodies obtained from mother's milk can interfere with vaccine effectiveness. Since the timing of maternal antibody decline varies between kittens (approximately 6–16 weeks), multiple vaccinations ensure that after antibodies decline, the vaccine can effectively stimulate the immune system.
Types of Dog Vaccines
Dog vaccines come in more varieties, mainly divided into core and non-core vaccines:
Core Vaccines
DHPPi 5-in-1 Vaccine
The core vaccine all dogs must receive:
- D - Distemper: Affects respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems
- H - Infectious Canine Hepatitis (Hepatitis/CAV-1): Caused by adenovirus
- P - Canine Parvovirus: Gastroenteritis with extremely high mortality rate
- Pi - Parainfluenza: Respiratory infection
Rabies Vaccine
Mandatory under Hong Kong law:
- Dogs must be vaccinated before reaching 5 months of age
- Must apply for dog licence from AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)
- Booster required every 3 years
- Rabies can be transmitted to humans with a nearly 100% mortality rate
Non-Core Vaccines
- Leptospirosis Vaccine: Spreads through contaminated water; can be transmitted to humans
- Kennel Cough Vaccine: Recommended for dogs with frequent contact with other dogs
- Lyme Disease Vaccine: Spread by ticks; consider for dogs that go hiking
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Below is the recommended puppy vaccination schedule:
| Age | Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | DHPPi 5-in-1 First dose | Puppy's first vaccination |
| 10–12 weeks | DHPPi 5-in-1 Second dose | Can deworm simultaneously |
| 14–16 weeks | DHPPi Third dose + Rabies first dose | Completes primary immunisation |
| 5 months | Apply for dog licence | Required by Hong Kong law |
| 1 year | DHPPi Booster | First annual booster |
| Annually | DHPPi Booster | Maintains immunity |
| Every 3 years | Rabies Booster | Required by Hong Kong law |
Vaccination Considerations
Before Vaccination
- Ensure Good Health: Do not vaccinate if showing symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, coughing, or fever
- Inform Vet of Medical History: Allergies, current medications
- Avoid Recent Environment Changes: Newly adopted pets should first adapt to their new environment
- Deworming: Recommended to complete deworming before vaccination
After Vaccination
- Observe for 30 Minutes: Stay at the clinic to watch for immediate allergic reactions
- Monitor for 48 Hours: Watch for delayed side effects
- Avoid Vigorous Exercise: Let the body focus on producing antibodies
- Avoid Bathing: No baths for one week after vaccination
- Limit Outings: Avoid taking kittens and puppies outside until primary immunisation is complete
Common Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and temporary:
- Mild swelling or soreness at injection site
- Mild fever
- Slightly reduced appetite
- Slight lethargy
- These usually resolve within 1–2 days
Situations Requiring Emergency Veterinary Care
- Facial swelling (allergic reaction)
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
- Collapse, unable to stand
- Severe swelling or abscess at injection site
Vaccination Cost Reference
Hong Kong pet vaccine costs vary by clinic:
Cat Vaccine Costs
| Vaccine Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 3-in-1 Vaccine (FVRCP) | $250 – $500 |
| 4-in-1 Vaccine | $350 – $600 |
| Rabies Vaccine | $200 – $400 |
Dog Vaccine Costs
| Vaccine Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 5-in-1 Vaccine (DHPPi) | $300 – $600 |
| 7-in-1/8-in-1 Vaccine | $400 – $800 |
| Rabies Vaccine | $200 – $400 |
| Kennel Cough Vaccine | $300 – $500 |
Tip: Some clinics offer kitten/puppy vaccine packages including three primary vaccinations plus health checks, which can be more economical.
Pet Vaccination FAQs
Q1: Does my indoor cat still need vaccinations?
Yes! Viruses can be brought into the home on owners' clothes and shoe soles. Cats may also be born carrying viruses that haven't yet caused illness. Cat vaccines can reduce the chance of disease onset and severity.
Q2: What if I missed the vaccination date?
If delayed by only a few days to a week, you can usually continue with the original schedule. If significantly delayed, you may need to restart primary immunisation. Consult with your veterinarian for the most appropriate plan.
Q3: What about adopted adult cats/dogs with no vaccination records?
You can restart following the adult animal vaccination schedule: second dose 4 weeks after the first dose, then annual boosters. Adult cats and dogs usually only need two doses to complete primary immunisation.
Q4: Do vaccines provide 100% protection?
No vaccine provides 100% protection, but they significantly reduce infection risk and disease severity. Even if infection occurs after vaccination, symptoms are usually milder.
Q5: Do senior pets still need vaccinations?
Yes, though frequency can be adjusted. Senior pets have declining immunity and still need vaccine protection. Some veterinarians recommend antibody testing to determine whether boosters are needed based on results.
Petcore Veterinary Clinic Vaccination Services
Petcore Veterinary Clinic provides comprehensive pet vaccination services:
- Cat Vaccines: 3-in-1, 4-in-1 vaccines
- Dog Vaccines: 5-in-1, 7-in-1, 8-in-1 vaccines
- Rabies Vaccine: Compliant with Hong Kong legal requirements
- Kitten/Puppy Packages: Primary vaccines + health check
- Vaccination Certificates: Internationally recognised vaccine certificates
- Dog Licence Application Assistance: Help with AFCD dog licence processing
- Vaccination Reminder Service: WhatsApp reminders for vaccination dates
Contact Us
- Yuen Long Clinic: G/F, 30A Fuk Tak Street, Yuen Long, N.T. | Phone: 2394-7300
- Sai Kung Clinic: Shop 2, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, N.T. | Phone: 2394-4228
- WhatsApp: 9889-5518
- Website: www.petcore-vet.com
Pet vaccines are the first step in protecting your pet's health. Whether it's cat vaccines or dog vaccines, following the kitten vaccination schedule and puppy vaccination schedule can effectively prevent multiple deadly infectious diseases. Contact Petcore Veterinary Clinic today to arrange vaccinations for your pet and help them grow up healthy and happy!