🐾 Our Vaccination Policy

 

Keeping Your Pet — and Our Community — Healthy

 

At Stage Road Animal Hospital, we believe prevention is the best medicine. Vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to protect your pet from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Our vaccination policy is designed to keep your pet, other patients, and our team safe while following the latest medical guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).

 

🐶 For Dogs

• We recommend the following core vaccines for all dogs:

Rabies: Required by law and essential for your pet’s safety and public health. Typically given at 12–16 weeks, then boosted in one year, and every 3 years thereafter.  *Doctors discretion is used if 3 year vaccination will be provided when the 1 year booster date is missed.

DHPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza): Protects against several highly contagious and dangerous diseases. DHPP is a series starting at 6–8 weeks, boosted every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks, then at 1 year, then annually thereafter.

 

• Depending on your dog’s lifestyle, we may also recommend:

Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – for dogs who board, attend daycare, or visit the groomer.

Leptospirosis – for dogs exposed to wildlife, puddles, or natural water sources.

Lyme Disease – for dogs who spend time in wooded or tick-heavy areas.

Canine Influenza – for dogs frequently around other dogs.

 

🐱 For Cats

• We recommend these core vaccines for all cats:

Rabies: Required by law and essential for your pet’s safety and public health. Typically given at 12–16 weeks, then boosted in one year, and every 3 years thereafter.  *Doctors discretion is used if 3 year vaccination will be provided when the 1 year booster date is missed.

FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia): Protects against common and serious feline illnesses.

FVRCP is a series starting at 6–8 weeks, boosted every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks, then at 1 year, then annually thereafter.

 

• Lifestyle vaccines may include:

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Recommended for kittens and cats who spend time outdoors or live with other cats.

*Recommended for kittens and cats with outdoor access or multi-cat households.

 

🩺 Before Every Vaccine

Your pet will receive an exam before any vaccination to ensure they’re healthy enough for it. We tailor each vaccine plan to your pet’s age, health status, and lifestyle.

 

If your pet has ever had a reaction to a vaccine, please let us know — our team will take precautions and discuss alternatives if needed.

 

🐕‍🦺 Boarding, Baths & Drop-Off Appointments

For the safety of all pets in our care, the following vaccinations are required for any dog or cat staying with us for boarding, baths, or drop-off appointments.  Our vaccination policy changed 01/01/25 regarding the vaccinations needed for these appointment types.  Previously only rabies was required.

• Dogs:  Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella, and Canine Influenza

• Cats:  Rabies, and FVRCP

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*If your pet’s vaccines are out of date, we can update them during their visit (as long as they are medically cleared by our veterinarians).

 

💉 Vaccine Records & Reminders

We keep detailed vaccination records for every patient in our system. You’ll receive convenient reminders by email when your pet is due for vaccines — helping you stay on top of their preventive care.  Please confirm your email address with us if you are concerned about missing these important reminders.

 

❤️ Our Promise

Vaccinations are an essential part of your pet’s lifelong health plan. Our goal is to make the process safe, comfortable, and stress-free — while helping you make informed decisions about your pet’s care.

 

If you have questions about which vaccines your pet needs, our team is always happy to discuss recommendations based on your pet’s unique lifestyle.