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Vaccinations

Protect your pet from preventable diseases with customized vaccine schedules for every life stage.

Pet Vaccinations: Protecting Your Pet from Preventable Illnesses

Keeping your pet healthy starts with strong prevention—and vaccinations are one of the most important tools we have. Vaccines protect your dog or cat from a range of contagious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy or kitten or your adult pet is due for boosters, staying current on vaccines is essential to their lifelong health.

Why Are Pet Vaccines Important?

Vaccinations work by preparing your pet’s immune system to fight off specific diseases before they ever come into contact with these diseases. Some of these illnesses—like rabies or parvovirus—can be fatal if left untreated. Others can cause chronic discomfort, extended treatment, or put other animals at risk.

Vaccines don’t just protect your pet—they help protect the broader pet community by reducing the spread of disease.

What Vaccines Does My Pet Need?

Vaccine needs vary based on your pet’s species, age, lifestyle, and local disease risks. Here’s a general breakdown:

For Dogs:

  • Core Vaccines: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Leptospirosis

  • Lifestyle-Dependent Vaccines: Bordetella (kennel cough), Canine Influenza

For Cats:

  • Core Vaccines: Rabies, FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)

  • Lifestyle-Dependent Vaccines: Feline Leukemia (FeLV), especially for outdoor or multi-cat households

Your veterinarian will help you build a tailored vaccine schedule based on your pet’s needs and environment.

What to Expect During a Vaccination Appointment

  • Wellness Exam: We start with a head-to-tail checkup to ensure your pet is healthy enough for vaccines.

  • Personalized Plan: Based on age, health, and lifestyle.

  • Quick and Gentle Shots: Most pets tolerate vaccines well. The process is quick and performed with care.

  • Post-Vaccine Monitoring: Mild soreness or sleepiness is normal. We’ll guide you on what to watch for and when to follow up.

We keep detailed vaccine records to ensure your pet stays on track—and help with things like boarding, grooming, or travel documentation.

When Should My Pet Be Vaccinated?

Puppies and kittens typically begin vaccinations at 6–8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks. Adult pets need regular boosters based on the vaccine type—some are annual, others are every 3 years.

Staying on schedule is the best way to keep your pet protected.

Vaccinations are a simple step with a big impact. They prevent illness, reduce long-term costs, and support a longer, healthier life for your pet.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Cats may stop using their litter box for many reasons, including behavioral issues like disliking odors in multi-cat homes or signaling that the box needs cleaning. Medical causes can include bladder infections, crystals, kidney stones, or chronic diarrhea. Senior cats may also struggle with boxes that are too high due to joint pain. If your cat suddenly avoids the box or cries out when trying to use it, it could signal a serious problem such as a urinary blockage and should be evaluated right away. The caring team at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is here to diagnose the cause and help your cat get back to feeling comfortable and healthy.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center must be sure your pet is healthy enough to receive vaccinations. Vaccinating a sick patient could make their condition worse or even be life-threatening! Depending upon your pet's overall health, your veterinarian may recommend splitting annual vaccinations into two visits to lessen the possibility of complications.

As with humans, preventative medicine and early detection are keys to health and longevity. Our pets age at a far faster rate than we do. Taking your dog or cat for an annual physical examination here at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is the equivalent of you seeing your doctor or dentist every 5-7 years. Only a full physical examination by a veterinarian can accurately assess the health of your pet and identify potential problems. If you have a senior pet (6+ years), we recommend exams twice a year for optimal care and health.

It's usually hard to tell by yourself at home, so please call us and describe what you're seeing. Signs of illness can include a significant decrease in appetite or activity level, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, limping, itching or losing hair, or eyes looking abnormal. Signs of emergencies can include trouble breathing, trauma, bleeding, stumbling, seizing, difficulty delivering puppies or kittens, and many eye problems. Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center immediately (603-642-9700) if you see any of these symptoms.

NH and MA state law (along with many other states) now requires that all cats and dogs be current on rabies vaccinations. If an animal is not known to be vaccinated against the disease and bites someone, NH and MA state law require a mandatory 15-day quarantine period. Additionally, if an animal is unvaccinated and bites someone, the state may require your animal to be euthanized and tested for rabies, and the owner can be held liable for any personal injury claims stemming from the bite. All good reasons to have your pet vaccinated against rabies! For your convenience, we offer both 1 & 3-year rabies vaccinations. For all other vaccines, Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center recommends vaccinating your pet once a year (especially if they go outside at all) to ensure they remain healthy should they become exposed to any disease preventable through current vaccinations. For more specific protocols, please consult with one of our veterinarians.

Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center hospital to receive a recorded message for the emergency hospitals we refer to. We typically refer to the Intown Veterinary Group.