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Cat & Dog Vaccinations
in Wayne, NJ

Some of the most serious illnesses in pets are also the most

preventable.

With the right schedule of cat and dog vaccinations, you can protect your pet from infections that spread quickly and can be difficult — or even impossible — to treat.

At Wishing Well Veterinary Hospital in Wayne, NJ, we help you make informed decisions about your pet’s care at every stage of life. Whether you’re starting puppy shots, planning kitten shots, or staying on track with routine boosters, we tailor each plan to your pet’s age, environment, and daily routine.

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or call us at (973) 872-9100.

When Does My Pet Need Vaccinations?

Vaccinations begin early, but they’re not a one-time event. Protection depends on staying consistent as your pet grows and their lifestyle changes, and our veterinarians are here to help guide you.

You may want to schedule a vaccination visit if your pet:

  • Is a new puppy or kitten starting their first series
  • Is due for annual or three-year boosters
  • Spends time around other animals at parks, daycare, or boarding facilities
  • Has an unknown or incomplete vaccination history

What Happens During My Pet’s Vaccination Visit?

A vaccination visit is more than just a quick appointment; it’s also an opportunity to check in on your pet’s overall health.

We begin with a physical exam to make sure your pet is healthy and ready for vaccines. From there, we talk through their history and lifestyle so we can recommend the right pet vaccinations without overdoing it.

Once we’ve agreed on a plan, our Wayne veterinarian administers the appropriate vaccines safely and efficiently. Most pets handle the visit well and return to normal activity shortly after. Before you leave, we’ll outline when boosters are due so there’s no guesswork later on.

What Diseases Do Cat and Dog Vaccinations Protect Against?

Vaccines are designed to prevent illnesses that are highly contagious and, in many cases, much more difficult to treat than they are to avoid. We follow the most current recommendations from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) for and dog vaccination schedules.

For dogs, we commonly recommend protection against:

The DAPP vaccine can protect your pet from various diseases such as canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus. We recommend this vaccine to be administered with the puppy shots at six to eight weeks old with additional doses three to four weeks apart until they are 16 weeks old. A booster is given one year post the final puppy vaccine and then every three years after.

Bordetella infects your dog’s respiratory system and is typically transmitted among dogs in boarding facilities and other communal spaces. The vaccine should be administered as one of your dog’s first puppy shots. The initial dose is provided intranasally with a secondary injectable dose three to four weeks later.

We strongly recommend this vaccine as leptospirosis can be dangerous to both dogs and humans. Leptospirosis may cause liver or kidney damage, or even death if treatment is not provided. This bacterial disease can be spread through contact with infected opossums, skunks, raccoons and rodents, and lepto-infested water or urine. Your pet’s first doses should be administered three weeks apart and once every following year.

Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease, meaning it can affect both humans and mammals, and therefore is a required vaccine for dogs by New Jersey law. We recommend dogs receive this vaccine around 12 weeks of age. An additional shot is administered one year later and once every three years after.

We recommend the Lyme vaccine for dogs that may have a higher exposure to deer ticks, the primary vectors of Lyme disease. Lyme is considered a zoonotic disease, which means it can infect animals as well as humans. Clinical signs of Lyme disease in dogs include lameness, inflamed joints, fever, and loss of appetite. The Lyme vaccine is given initially as two boosters, 3-4 weeks apart, and then once a year after that.
For cats, vaccination focuses on preventing common viral diseases that can spread quickly between felines:
Rabies is an often-fatal disease that affects humans and cats, which makes protection even more important. Like puppies, kittens should receive this vaccination around 12 weeks of age with their kitten shots. A yearly dose of the Purevax® form of this vaccine can help maximize your cat’s protection.
The FVRCP cat vaccine helps protect your feline from highly contagious diseases such as feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. This vaccine should be included in the kitten shots when your kitten is six weeks old with later doses provided every three weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Subsequent doses are given one year later and then once every three years after to maintain proper protection.
Feline leukemia attacks your cat’s immune system and can potentially cause cancerous conditions to arise. Prevention is the best way to keep your cat healthy as this disease doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms until the infection has progressed and spread to other cats. The vaccine is included in the kitten shots at nine weeks old, administered one year later, and once every three years following.

What Should I Expect After My Pet’s Vaccines?

Most pets feel like themselves shortly after their appointment. It’s normal to see mild, temporary effects as their immune system responds.

Some pets may experience:

  • Slight soreness at the injection site
  • Mild fatigue for the rest of the day
  • A temporary decrease in appetite

These signs typically resolve within a day or two. If anything feels out of the ordinary, our team is always available to help you decide what to do next.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat and Dog Vaccinations

Yes. Even indoor pets can be exposed to viruses through people, other animals, or unexpected situations.
Some vaccines are given annually, while others are updated every three years. We tailor this to your pet.
They are. Early vaccination builds the foundation for long-term protection during a vulnerable stage of life.
In many cases, yes. We’ll structure your pet’s visit to balance protection with comfort.

Get the best care for your best friend.

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