Pet Vaccinations

All pets deserve a chance to live a long, healthy life, and one of the best ways to make that happen is with preventive care in the form of vaccinations. Pet vaccines work just like human vaccines in that they mimic a certain illness, which then creates antibodies. As a result, the immune system is strengthened, and the body is more equipped to fight off certain diseases and viruses. This is why it’s so important for vaccines to be included in every pet’s overall preventive wellness regimen.

Here at Kirkman Animal Hospital located in Orlando, we recommend that all of our patients be vaccinated on a regular basis so they can be healthy through every life stage. We offer both core and non-core vaccines, which allows us to accommodate the unique needs of every pet. If you’d like to learn more about pet vaccinations, consider the following frequently asked questions.

What’s the Difference Between Core and Non-Core Vaccines?

Core vaccines are considered “essential” vaccines, and they are recommended for pets for one of two reasons: 1) the illness is very serious or even fatal (such as rabies), and/or 2) the illness can be transmitted to humans.

Non-core vaccines are considered optional and are usually recommended only if a pet has a high risk of exposure to a certain illness. Canine Bordetella is an example of a non-core vaccine because this disease is contagious among dogs. So if your dog is likely to come in contact with other dogs (boarding facility, etc.), this vaccine is often recommended.