Charlotte Magazine / Charlotte Magazine August 2008 / Shot in the Dark

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Shot in the Dark

Immunizations keep your pet healthy—and legal. Most kennels won't accept animals who aren't up to date. Here's a quick guide:

 

CATS

Rabies
WHAT: Fatal disease that inflames the brain, causing violent behavior and eventual respiratory failure.
WHEN: Twelve weeks, one year, then every three years.

FELV
WHAT: Protects outdoor cats from feline leukemia, a virus that infects blood and bone marrow.
WHEN: Immunize annually with FELV (feline leukemia virus vaccine).

FVRC (feline viral rhinotracheitis and calicivirus)
WHAT: Prevents calicivirus, a respiratory infection, and viral rhinotracheitis, which is feline influenza.
WHEN: After the first two years, every three years to prevent respiratory problems. 

DOGS

Rabies
WHAT: Fatal disease that inflames the brain, causing violent behavior and eventual respiratory failure.
WHEN: Twelve weeks, one year, and then every three years.

Da2pp
WHAT: Protects against distemper, adenovirus, and parainfluenza, (respiratory and neurological diseases).
WHEN: Needed at eight, eleven, fourteen, and seventeen weeks; then every three years.