Vaccination Schedule for Pets

🐶 Vaccination Schedule for Dogs

The main purpose of core vaccination in dogs is to provide protection against serious infectious diseases, particularly:

Canine distemper Canine parvovirus Canine adenovirus

These are considered core vaccine targets in dogs.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Core vaccination can generally begin at around 6–8 weeks of age.

Depending on the vaccine used and the puppy's individual circumstances, vaccinations are generally repeated at 3–4 week intervals until at least 16 weeks of age.

An example schedule is:

Age Commonly Recommended Vaccinations 6–8 weeks Canine core/combination vaccine 9–12 weeks Canine core/combination vaccine 12–16 weeks Canine core/combination vaccine From 12 weeks onward Rabies vaccination Around 6 months Additional booster if recommended by the veterinarian Adulthood Booster and risk-based vaccination according to veterinary assessment

This is only a general example. The exact schedule may vary depending on the vaccine manufacturer's recommendations, the puppy's health status and the infectious disease risks in the area.

In some high-risk situations, the primary vaccination series may be extended to approximately 20 weeks of age.

Which Vaccines Are Given to Dogs? 🦠 Core/Combination Vaccine

Depending on the specific vaccine product, canine combination vaccines may provide protection against diseases including:

Canine distemper virus Canine parvovirus Canine adenovirus

These diseases can cause severe illness, particularly in puppies.

Canine parvovirus, for example, can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances and immunosuppression. In young puppies, severe disease can be life-threatening.

💉 Rabies Vaccine

Rabies is an extremely important disease from both veterinary and public health perspectives.

In Türkiye, rabies vaccination of dogs and cats is subject to national regulations and is generally required annually.

Rabies vaccination is also particularly important for pets travelling internationally. Depending on the destination country, additional requirements such as rabies antibody titre testing may apply.

🦠 Leptospirosis Vaccine

Leptospirosis is an important bacterial infection in dogs and certain serovars can also infect humans.

Vaccination against leptospirosis may be recommended for dogs living in areas where the disease is present, particularly when there is an increased risk of exposure.

Dogs that spend time outdoors or may come into contact with contaminated water, wildlife or rodents may have a higher risk.

🦠 Respiratory Disease Vaccines

Vaccines against respiratory pathogens such as Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus may be recommended depending on the dog's lifestyle and exposure risk.

These vaccines may be particularly relevant for dogs that:

Stay in boarding facilities Attend dog day-care centres Regularly visit dog parks Frequently interact with other dogs Participate in group activities or events

These vaccines should therefore be considered based on individual risk rather than automatically administered to every dog.

🐱 Vaccination Schedule for Cats

Core vaccination in cats primarily aims to protect against important infectious diseases caused by:

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) Feline calicivirus (FCV)

These are considered important core vaccine targets for cats.

Kitten Vaccination Schedule

Core vaccination can generally begin at around 6–8 weeks of age.

Vaccinations are usually repeated at 3–4 week intervals until the kitten is at least 16 weeks old.

An example schedule is:

Age Commonly Recommended Vaccinations 6–8 weeks Feline core/combination vaccine 9–12 weeks Feline core/combination vaccine 12–16 weeks Feline core/combination vaccine From 12 weeks onward Rabies vaccination Depending on risk FeLV vaccination Around 6 months Additional booster if recommended by the veterinarian Adulthood Booster and risk-based vaccination according to veterinary assessment

The exact schedule may vary depending on the kitten's health status, lifestyle, vaccine product and local disease risks.

Which Vaccines Are Given to Cats? 💉 Feline Core/Combination Vaccine

Feline combination vaccines primarily aim to protect against:

Feline panleukopenia virus Feline herpesvirus-1 Feline calicivirus

These diseases can cause significant illness, particularly in kittens.

Feline panleukopenia can cause severe gastrointestinal disease, dehydration, leukopenia and, particularly in young kittens, high mortality.

Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus are among the major causes of upper respiratory tract disease in cats.

💉 Rabies Vaccine

Rabies is also an important zoonotic disease in cats.

In Türkiye, rabies vaccination of cats and dogs is subject to national regulations and is generally required annually.

Even if your cat lives exclusively indoors, the need for rabies vaccination should not simply be dismissed because the cat does not go outside. The animal's circumstances and applicable legal requirements should be considered.

💉 Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Vaccine

FeLV vaccination is particularly important for cats that may be exposed to other cats.

The risk may be higher in:

Outdoor cats Cats living in multi-cat households Cats that regularly encounter unfamiliar cats Cats living with FeLV-positive or potentially exposed cats

For kittens and young cats, FeLV vaccination may be recommended depending on the prevalence of the disease and the individual risk of exposure.

For adult cats, vaccination should be based on their lifestyle and likelihood of exposure.

Before administering FeLV vaccination, your veterinarian should assess the cat's individual risk and lifestyle.

🏠 "My Cat Never Goes Outside. Does It Still Need Vaccinations?"

This is one of the most common questions asked by cat owners.

Yes, indoor cats can still benefit from appropriate vaccination.

Infectious agents are not necessarily transmitted only through direct contact between animals. Depending on the pathogen, exposure can occur through contaminated environments, objects, clothing, footwear or contact with other animals.

However, an exclusively indoor cat does not have the same exposure risk as a cat that regularly goes outdoors.

Therefore, vaccination should be planned according to the cat's individual lifestyle and risk factors.

Your veterinarian may consider:

Whether the cat goes outdoors Whether it has contact with other cats Whether other animals live in the household Whether the cat stays at boarding facilities Whether the cat travels Local disease prevalence and exposure risks

The goal of vaccination is not to administer unnecessary vaccines, but to provide appropriate protection based on the animal's individual risk.

🐶🐱 Why Do Puppies and Kittens Need Multiple Vaccinations?

"Why does my puppy or kitten need another vaccine if it has already been vaccinated?" is another common question.

Young animals receive maternal antibodies from their mothers, primarily through colostrum. These antibodies can protect the newborn during the early stages of life, but they can also interfere with vaccine-induced immunity.

Because the level of maternal antibodies varies between individual animals, a single vaccine dose may not provide reliable protection in every puppy or kitten.

Repeated vaccinations at appropriate intervals are therefore used to increase the likelihood of developing effective immunity once maternal antibody levels have declined sufficiently.

For this reason, completing the primary vaccination series is extremely important.

💉 What Should Be Considered Before Vaccination?

Your pet should receive a veterinary examination before vaccination.

Particular attention should be paid to signs such as:

Fever Diarrhea Vomiting Loss of appetite Significant lethargy Respiratory infection Active infectious disease Conditions affecting the immune system

If your pet is clinically unwell, the timing of vaccination may need to be reconsidered.

Vaccines are not treatments for existing infections. Their purpose is to stimulate protective immunity and reduce the risk of future disease.

💉 What Reactions Can Occur After Vaccination?

Some animals may experience mild and temporary reactions after vaccination.

These may include:

Mild lethargy Slight reduction in appetite Mild tenderness at the injection site A mild temporary increase in body temperature

These reactions are usually short-lived.

However, signs such as difficulty breathing, significant facial swelling, repeated vomiting, collapse or severe weakness require prompt veterinary attention.

Not every symptom occurring after vaccination should automatically be considered a normal vaccine reaction.

📅 Do Adult Pets Need Vaccinations Every Year?

The answer is not necessarily the same for every vaccine.

Modern vaccination guidelines distinguish between core and non-core vaccines, and booster intervals should be determined according to the vaccine product, the animal's individual risk factors and applicable local regulations.

In Türkiye, rabies vaccination of cats and dogs is subject to specific legal requirements and is generally administered annually.

Therefore, rather than assuming that "every vaccine must be given every year," vaccination schedules should be determined by a veterinarian based on the animal's individual circumstances.

🗓️ Example Vaccination Schedule for Cats and Dogs 🐶 Dogs

6–8 weeks: Core/combination vaccine

9–12 weeks: Core/combination vaccine

12–16 weeks: Core/combination vaccine

From 12 weeks onward: Rabies vaccination

Depending on individual risk: Leptospirosis and respiratory disease vaccines

During adulthood: Booster and risk-based vaccination according to veterinary assessment

🐱 Cats

6–8 weeks: Core/combination vaccine

9–12 weeks: Core/combination vaccine

12–16 weeks: Core/combination vaccine

From 12 weeks onward: Rabies vaccination

Depending on individual risk: FeLV vaccination

During adulthood: Booster and risk-based vaccination according to veterinary assessment

❓ Frequently Asked Questions What should I do if my pet's vaccination is overdue?

An overdue vaccination does not mean that your pet can no longer be vaccinated.

Your veterinarian can review the previous vaccination history, age, health status and current risk factors and create an appropriate catch-up vaccination plan.

Can a puppy or kitten go outside before completing its vaccinations?

Young puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases, so uncontrolled contact with other animals and potentially contaminated environments should generally be avoided until adequate protection has developed.

However, socialization is also an important part of healthy development. The safest approach is to discuss appropriate and controlled exposure with your veterinarian based on the local disease risk and your pet's vaccination status.

Does an indoor cat need core vaccinations?

Yes. Indoor cats can still benefit from appropriate core vaccination.

However, the need for additional vaccines and the appropriate booster interval should be determined according to the cat's individual risk factors.

Does my pet need parasite treatment before vaccination?

There is no universal rule that every animal must receive an antiparasitic treatment immediately before vaccination.

Internal and external parasite control should be planned according to the animal's age, lifestyle and individual risk factors.

Can a vaccinated pet still get sick?

No vaccine provides 100% protection against every infection.

However, properly administered vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of serious disease and, in many cases, reduce the severity of illness if exposure occurs.

🐾 Remember: Every Pet Needs an Individual Vaccination Plan

Your cat or dog's vaccination schedule should not be determined by age alone.

Factors including:

Age + lifestyle + environmental exposure + contact with other animals + health history + local disease risk

should all be taken into consideration.

Completing the primary vaccination series during puppyhood or kittenhood and maintaining appropriate preventive healthcare throughout adulthood are important steps in protecting your companion's long-term health.

Keep your pet's vaccination record in a safe place and make sure you know when the next vaccination is due.

If you are unsure about your pet's vaccination schedule, consult your veterinarian.

🩺 VitaVet Veterinary Clinic

At VitaVet Veterinary Clinic in Antalya, we provide preventive healthcare, vaccination, health examinations, blood tests, radiography, surgery and other veterinary services for cats and dogs.

Let's create the most appropriate vaccination and preventive healthcare plan for your companion together.

VitaVet Veterinary Clinic Başbuğ Alparslan Türkeş Boulevard No: 241/B 3, Aksu, Antalya, Türkiye 24/7 Veterinary Service