Yes, it is safe to give multiple dog vaccines at the same time. While we can still give all vaccines at once, the recommendations have been changing over the last decade. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has vaccine guidelines which we follow. The core vaccines are given once as a puppy, then as one-year boosters, and every three years thereafter. However, leptospirosis and kennel cough vaccines are given annually. If you have a sensitive or small pet, we might split up the vaccines to be more safe.

The variations include leptospirosis, which we consider a core vaccine here at Blue Oasis because we live in Middle Tennessee. Our pet population is exposed to leptospirosis, a bacteria that's shed in the urine of wildlife. We recommend reboostering this vaccine annually. We also deal with many pets that go to daycare and boarding. They have a higher risk of respiratory exposure, so they should have the Bordetella, or kennel cough, vaccine every six to 12 months. We also recommend an annual booster for canine influenza, which is becoming more common in North America.

We recommend seeing your dog at least once a year or every 12 months. At that time, we'll discuss which vaccines your dog has had or not had and what their lifestyle is. We'll then recommend what vaccines are due. Our usual protocol is to start vaccinations when puppies are six to eight weeks old. They then get booster shots every three to four weeks until they're 16 to 20 weeks old. After that, they get a one-year booster and then every three years after that, depending on the vaccine. However, there can be exceptions.

Your puppy needs to be vaccinated starting at six to eight weeks of age. Even if your puppy is a little older than that, it's important to get them started on their vaccinations.

Yes, senior dogs still do need to be immunized. As a dog ages, they are potentially going to become a little more immunocompromised and we still want to protect them from common diseases they have risk for. The conversation can change though as a dog transitions from a senior to a geriatric patient, and depending on its other health conditions. Then your veterinarian will discuss whether vaccines are still indicated, especially when we're dealing with a more sick patient, we might start talking about eliminating or changing our vaccine recommendations.

Core vaccinations are those that all dogs should have during puppyhood and adulthood. Core vaccines include our distemper parvo vaccination or a DHPP and rabies. Non-core vaccines are anything other than those two. They include leptospirosis, canine influenza, bordetella or kennel cough, and Lyme disease or Lyme vaccine.

Yes, as veterinarians we consider vaccinations a necessary part of lifestyle. We have the education to know how to prevent disease. We are also the healthcare providers that see the diseases that these infections can create in animals. We deal with the potential outcomes which can be incredibly life-impacting for individuals, whether it be hospitalizations, ICU, the financial burden that it places on the pet parent. Some dogs that get really ill can have life-threatening illnesses. One example is parvovirus, which is easy for us to protect against through vaccination. If a dog gets exposed and has not been protected, especially if they're a young dog, they're likely to become quite ill with parvovirus. We do see parvo puppy deaths and they are incredibly preventable.

Signs to watch for include profound lethargy, lack of interest in food, labored breathing, or coughing. Anything that gives you concern should give us concern. In such cases, be proactive and contact our office. At Blue Oasis, we also offer a telehealth service called Anapanion, where you can reach out to me or one of the other healthcare providers after hours or on weekends to discuss your pet's well-being.

After an anesthetic procedure, it's important not to let your cat go immediately back into their home, especially if there may be other pets or small children who may not interact with them in a friendly way. Cats recovering from anesthesia may be more prone to protect themselves. We recommend keeping your cat in its carrier when you take it home, put it into a quiet space like a bedroom or office, and let your cat come out of the carrier on its own. Be mindful to keep your cat away from small children and other pets that might disturb it while it's in recovery, and avoid allowing your cat to jump onto countertops or beds to prevent the risk of falling off.