Pet vaccinations protect your dog or cat from serious, preventable diseases by preparing the immune system before exposure. Core vaccines are recommended for nearly every pet, while others depend on lifestyle and risk. At Avon Animal Hospital in Surrey, your veterinarian tailors a vaccination schedule to your pet’s age, health, and daily life.
Why vaccinations matter
Vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight specific diseases before your pet ever encounters them. Many of the illnesses they prevent, such as parvovirus, distemper, and rabies, are severe and sometimes fatal, and several are far easier to prevent than to treat. Keeping vaccines current is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your pet and the other animals around them.
Vaccination is also a community effort. When most pets in a neighbourhood are protected, diseases have fewer chances to spread, which helps puppies, kittens, and pets who cannot be fully vaccinated for medical reasons. Our pet care services are built to keep prevention on track from the first visit onward.
Core vaccines and lifestyle vaccines
Vaccines fall into two broad groups. Core vaccines are recommended for almost all pets because the diseases are widespread, dangerous, or required by law. For dogs these typically include distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and rabies, and for cats they include panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus, and rabies.
Lifestyle, or non-core, vaccines depend on your pet’s individual risk. A dog who visits boarding kennels, daycare, or grooming may benefit from protection against kennel cough, while an outdoor cat may need different coverage than one who stays inside. Your veterinarian will recommend only what genuinely fits your pet, never a one-size-fits-all list.
Puppy and kitten schedules versus adult boosters
Puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines a few weeks apart, usually starting around six to eight weeks of age, because the immunity they get from their mother fades over time and needs to be replaced gradually. Completing the full series is important, since a single early shot does not provide lasting protection.
Adult pets stay protected with booster vaccines on a schedule your veterinarian sets, often every one to three years depending on the vaccine and your pet’s risk. Regular visits also let the team weigh your pet, check their overall health, and adjust the plan as life changes.
Are vaccines safe?
For the vast majority of pets, vaccines are very safe and any reaction is mild and short-lived, such as a little tenderness at the injection site or a quiet day afterward. Serious reactions are rare. Your veterinary team will discuss your pet’s history first, and timely pet diagnostics are available if your pet is unwell or you have concerns. Watch for swelling, vomiting, or unusual tiredness after a visit and call if you are worried.
How vaccinations fit your pet wellness plan
Vaccines work best as one part of a complete preventive plan. Our wellness program brings vaccinations together with parasite prevention, dental checks, and routine exams, so nothing slips through the cracks. Avon Animal Hospital is locally owned by Dr. Baljit Mrar and has cared for Surrey families since 2003, and our veterinarians are registered with the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia.
What to expect at a vaccination visit
A vaccination appointment is also a wellness check. Before any vaccine is given, your veterinarian examines your pet from nose to tail, listens to the heart and lungs, checks the weight, and asks about behaviour, appetite, and daily life. This is the ideal moment to raise anything you have noticed at home, since small changes often surface in conversation rather than on a chart.
Only after that review does the team recommend the vaccines that genuinely fit your pet, and they will note the date each one is next due. For rabies, you will usually receive a certificate and tag for your records. Booking the next visit before you leave is the simplest way to keep the schedule from slipping.
If you are a new client or your pet’s history is unclear, bring any records you have, including past vaccine dates from a previous clinic. When records are missing, your veterinarian will recommend a sensible plan to get your pet safely up to date. There is no need to feel behind; the goal is simply steady, lasting protection going forward.
Frequently asked questions
How often does my pet need vaccines?
It depends on the vaccine and your pet’s lifestyle. Some boosters are given yearly and others every three years. Your veterinarian will set a schedule after reviewing your pet’s age, health, and risk.
Do indoor cats need vaccinations?
Yes. Indoor cats still need core protection, including rabies where required, because they can be exposed through open doors, other pets, or a rare escape outdoors. Your veterinarian can tailor the plan to an indoor lifestyle.
Is it safe to vaccinate my pet if they have a health condition?
Often yes, but it depends on the condition. Tell your veterinary team about any illness or medication so they can decide the safest timing and approach for your individual pet.
What if my pet missed a booster?
Contact the clinic. Depending on how much time has passed, your pet may simply need a catch-up booster or, in some cases, a short restart of the series. The team will guide you.
Can my pet be vaccinated at the same visit as other care?
Often yes. Many pets receive vaccines during the same appointment as a wellness exam, parasite prevention, or a nail trim, which saves you a separate trip. Your veterinarian will confirm what is appropriate to combine based on your pet’s health that day.