Cat & Dog Vaccinations in Elkhorn

Protect your pet from dangerous illnesses & diseases

Keeping your pet protected starts with timely, veterinarian-recommended pet vaccinations. Whether you're welcoming a playful puppy or curious kitten into your home—or you are keeping your adult pet healthy year after year—vaccines are one of the most powerful tools to prevent serious, contagious diseases. 

At our animal hospital in Elkhorn, we provide tailored dog and cat vaccination plans designed to match your pet’s age, lifestyle, and health status. Vaccines not only protect pets from life-threatening illnesses like rabies and parvo but also help prevent the spread of diseases from animals to people. 

Are Pet Vaccines Safe? 

Yes. Like any medical treatment, vaccines can carry minor risks, but serious reactions are rare. Most side effects are mild and temporary, such as slight swelling or lethargy. Our veterinary team will go over what to expect and how to monitor your pet after receiving their shots. 

Recommended Dog Vaccinations 

Every dog is different, but our Elkhorn veterinarians generally recommend the following canine vaccines: 

• Rabies – Required by law. After the first vaccine at four months and a booster at one year, we recommend a three-year rabies vaccine for ongoing protection. 
• DA2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvo, Parainfluenza) – Given as a puppy series with two annual boosters, then every three years. 
• Leptospirosis – Given twice in the first year and then annually. This disease can also affect humans. 
• Bordetella/Parainfluenza/Adenovirus (kennel cough) – Intranasal vaccine is administered once during puppyhood, then every 6–12 months depending on your dog’s exposure to other dogs (boarding, grooming, daycare, etc.). 

Recommended Cat Vaccinations 

Our Elkhorn team recommends the following cat vaccines for indoor and outdoor felines: 

• Rabies – We recommend the PureVax one-year rabies vaccine due to its lower risk of injection-site inflammation. A three-year option is available upon request. 
• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) – After the kitten series, boosters are given annually for two years, then every three years. 
• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) – Given in a two-shot kitten series. Adult cats who go outdoors receive yearly boosters; strictly indoor cats may need boosters every other year. 

Why Puppies and Kittens Need a Series of Vaccines 

Newborn puppies and kittens rely on antibodies in their mother’s colostrum (first milk) for early protection, but these maternal antibodies wear off at different times for every pet. Once these antibodies fade—usually between 14–20 weeks—young animals are at risk unless their own immune system is ready to respond. 

Because we can’t predict exactly when this transition happens, our Elkhorn vets recommend beginning puppy and kitten vaccinations around six weeks of age. Boosters are administered every three weeks until around 16–20 weeks to ensure protection. 

Even adult pets getting a new vaccine for the first time will benefit from a two-dose series, spaced 2–4 weeks apart, to achieve full immunity. 

Schedule Dog or Cat Vaccinations in Elkhorn Today 

Vaccinating your dog or cat is one of the simplest ways to give them a long, healthy life. Whether you’re starting a new pet off on the right paw or keeping up with adult boosters, our Elkhorn veterinary team is here to help. 

Call us at (402) 819-2478 or request a pet vaccination appointment online today!