Preventive care
Pet Vaccinations Explained
What core and non-core vaccines protect against, how schedules work, and why protocols differ between countries.
Core versus non-core
Core vaccines protect against diseases that are widespread, severe and often fatal, and are recommended for essentially every animal of that species. Non-core vaccines are chosen based on the individual animal's lifestyle, geography and risk.
- Dogs, core: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies where required by law or risk
- Dogs, non-core: leptospirosis, kennel cough, Lyme disease, depending on region
- Cats, core: feline panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus, and rabies where required
- Cats, non-core: feline leukaemia virus, especially for cats with outdoor access
- Rabbits: myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease, which are effectively core in most regions
How schedules work
Maternal antibodies protect very young animals but also block vaccine response, which is why puppies and kittens receive a series rather than a single dose. The final dose in the primary course matters most and is usually given at or after sixteen weeks in dogs.
Adult boosters are not annual for every component. Many core vaccines provide three years of protection, while some non-core components need yearly renewal.
Side effects and when to call
Mild lethargy or a small tender lump at the injection site for a day or two is common and expected. Contact a vet promptly for facial swelling, hives, vomiting, collapse or difficulty breathing, which suggest an allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.
Protocols vary
Rabies requirements, leptospirosis serovars and available products differ between countries. Follow your own veterinarian's protocol, which reflects local disease prevalence and law, rather than a schedule copied from elsewhere.
References
- WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines for the Owners and Breeders of Dogs and Cats — World Small Animal Veterinary Association