To be sure that newborns receive this protection, immunize mothers before breeding. Continue vaccinations at three week intervals until the animal is 12 to 16 weeks old. Veterinarians recommend starting the initial set of vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks because the younger animals are more susceptible to disease and illness. If the animal is an unvaccinated adult, it can receive the first set of shots with a follow up three weeks later. There are separate core vaccinations recommended for puppies and kittens that combine all the needed vaccinations into one, but a rabies vaccination is important for both.
State law requires vaccinations of dogs and cats for rabies.
How often subsequent vaccinations occur ranges from one to three years for rabies, depending on the vaccination used and state requirements. Most other vaccines are typically boosted annually. The most important shots for a puppy to receive are canine distemper and canine parvovirus. These diseases are highly contagious and can cause permanent damage or death, but they can be prevented with vaccinations. Protect kittens with a feline leukemia vaccination in addition to the core vaccinations.