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Vaccines FAQs
Vaccinating your pet is one of the best ways to keep him healthy throughout his life.
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Common Vaccine Questions

Vaccines FAQs

If you live in St. Louis or the surrounding area, you can bring your dog or cat to St. Louis Veterinary Center for vaccinations. The following FAQs from your St. Louis veterinary experts can dispel any doubts you may have about the benefits and risks of vaccinating your pet.

What Are Pet Vaccines?
Pet vaccines are animal healthcare products that protect your feline and canine from succumbing to the effects of life threatening diseases like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and others. These highly contagious diseases can spread from pet to pet and even put pet owners at risk.
What’s the Difference between Core and Non-Core Vaccines?
Core vaccines are those that protect your pet from high risk diseases that threaten his life. They are considered essential to your pet’s health and welfare. Core vaccines protect your feline and canine from such diseases as rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and others. Non-core vaccines can be given to pets according to their individual need. If your pet is at risk of certain diseases due to his location or lifestyle, your St. Louis vet may recommend he be vaccinated against these diseases.
Are There Risks to Having My Pet Vaccinated?
All medications come with some form of risks. Most pets, however, show little adverse effects to the vaccines other than mild swelling or soreness at the injection site. If your pet does show side effects, contact your St. Louis vet right away for a checkup.
How Essential Are Vaccines to the Health of My Pet?
Vaccinations can save your pet’s life. Vaccines stimulate your pet’s immune system to fight against diseases that can seriously impair his health or lead to his early demise.
Do Puppies and Kittens Need to Be Vaccinated?
Baby pets need core vaccines just like their adult parents, especially after they stop nursing as they’re no longer being protected by their mother’s milk. We’ll administer a series of vaccines to your puppy or kitten starting when he’s 8 to 10 weeks old. He’ll receive booster shots every 3-5 weeks until he reaches the age of 18-20 weeks old. After completing this series of vaccines, your vet will create a vaccination schedule for your pup or kit to meet his healthcare needs.
How Often Should My Pet Be Vaccinated?
As no two pets are exactly the same when it comes to their health and wellness, we’ll customize a vaccination schedule best suited to your pet’s healthcare needs taking into consideration his age, lifestyle, health, and breed.