FR
ENPreventive medicine
Vaccination
Protecting your pet intelligently, not automatically
Vaccination is one of the most effective tools for protecting your pet against serious disease. But vaccinating does not mean vaccinating every pet, for everything, every year. Our approach follows AAHA and AAFP guidelines and is tailored to your companion's lifestyle.
The annual health exam is far more important than annual vaccines. It is what allows us to evaluate your pet's overall health, personalize their vaccine protocol, and detect problems before they become serious.
Annual exam first
A vaccine protects against one specific disease. An annual health exam evaluates everything: weight, dental health, heart, lungs, abdominal palpation, skin, eyes, and ears. It is the foundation of preventive medicine, and it is this visit that allows us to guide you on what your pet truly needs that year.
“Your pet may not need all of their vaccines every year. Only a veterinarian can determine this.”
Our vaccination philosophy
Core vaccines for all
Some vaccines are recommended for all animals regardless of lifestyle: rabies, parvovirus, distemper and infectious hepatitis for dogs; panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus and feline leukemia for kittens.
Lifestyle-based vaccines
Other vaccines are recommended based on your pet's actual exposure: leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease, canine influenza for dogs. FeLV for adult cats with outdoor access. We recommend them only when the risk of exposure genuinely justifies it.
Boosters when needed, not out of habit
We do not systematically boost every year. The frequency of boosters depends on the type of vaccine, your pet's lifestyle, and AAHA protocol recommendations. At each annual exam, we assess what is genuinely needed for your companion that year.
Exam first, always
We never vaccinate without examining your pet first. A sick, immunosuppressed or stressed animal can react differently to a vaccine. The preliminary exam protects your companion and ensures vaccine effectiveness.
Puppies and kittens: a critical window
Young animals inherit maternal antibodies that protect them in the first weeks of life, but which can also block vaccination. This is why a series of closely spaced vaccines is essential until 16 to 18 weeks of age — to ensure active protection develops as soon as maternal antibodies disappear.
A single dose is not sufficient in a puppy or kitten. The complete series is essential.
Protocols by species
Dogs
Core vaccines
DA2PP — Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza
Puppies: series starting at 6-8 weeks, every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks. Booster at 1 year, then every 3 years.
Rabies — Required in Quebec
From 3 months. Booster at 1 year, then depending on product (1 or 3 years).
Exposure-based vaccines
Leptospirosis — Recommended for most dogs in Quebec
Annual. Two initial doses 2-4 weeks apart.
Bordetella — Kennel cough — dogs in contact with other dogs
Annual (or before boarding/camping). Intranasal route preferred.
Lyme — Dogs exposed to ticks in endemic areas
Annual. Two initial doses 2-4 weeks apart.
Cats
Core vaccines
FVRCP — Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia
Kittens: series starting at 6-8 weeks, every 2-4 weeks until 16-18 weeks. Booster at 6 months, then every 3 years.
Rabies — Recommended — required in certain situations
From 3 months. Based on local requirements and lifestyle.
FeLV — Feline leukemia — required for all kittens
All kittens under 1 year. Adult cats with outdoor access based on assessment.
Exposure-based vaccines
FeLV (adult) — Cats with outdoor access or contact with other cats
Annual risk assessment. Annual if significant exposure.
Bordetella — Cats in multi-cat environments or boarding
Based on exposure. Intranasal route.
Frequently asked questions
1Does my pet need a vaccine every year?
Not necessarily. It depends on the type of vaccine and your pet's lifestyle. What should be annual without exception is the full physical exam. It is during that visit that we assess with you what is genuinely needed that year for your specific companion.
2Can we test whether my pet is still protected?
Yes. For certain vaccines (parvovirus, distemper, panleukopenia), antibody titer tests are available. They can help determine whether a booster is needed, especially for pets that have had vaccine reactions or where we want to avoid over-vaccination. Ask our team.
3Are there risks associated with vaccination?
Reactions are rare and generally mild: slight discomfort, passing fatigue, mild fever. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) are very rare. In cats, there is a rare risk of injection-site sarcoma — which is why we document the exact site of every vaccine and follow the AAFP protocol.
4My pet is older — should they still be vaccinated?
With age, the immune system may be less responsive. For senior pets, we do a case-by-case assessment: health status, lifestyle and exposure risk all guide our recommendation. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Schedule your companion's annual exam
The annual exam is the best investment in your pet's health. It is during this visit that we assess their vaccine needs, along with much more.