Vaccine & wellness planner
What’s due for your pet, and when?
Choose your pet and their age to see the vaccines and checks that are usually due around now, what comes next and what to expect every year.
A puppy, 10 weeks old
Puppy vaccines: round two
Usually due around now
Coming up next
Every year after that
Because of their lifestyle
Bring this list to your visit and we’ll check it against your pet’s records.
Request a vaccine visitGeneral guidance, not a diagnosis. This planner shows common schedules for healthy pets in western North Carolina. Your vet tailors vaccines to your pet’s health, history and risks, and may change timings. If your pet is unwell, call us before any vaccine.
The basics
Core vaccines at a glance
“Core” vaccines are recommended for every pet of that species. Others depend on lifestyle. In North Carolina, dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age.
| Pet | Core vaccines | Lifestyle vaccines | Boosters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Rabies, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) | Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella, canine influenza | Every 1–3 years, depending on vaccine |
| Cats | Rabies, FVRCP; FeLV for kittens | FeLV for adult cats that go outdoors | Every 1–3 years, depending on vaccine |
| Rabbits | RHDV2 (rabbit hemorrhagic disease) | None routinely in the US | Yearly |
| Ferrets | Rabies, canine distemper | None routinely | Yearly |
Guinea pigs, rats and reptiles don’t need routine vaccines, but they still benefit from a yearly check-up. Request an exotic pet exam.
Questions
Vaccine questions we hear a lot
Still unsure? Call (828) 555-0163 or ask at your next visit.
My pet missed a booster. Do we start again?
Usually not. Most pets just need the missed dose, but some vaccines need two doses again if it’s been a long time. Bring any records and we’ll work it out.
Are vaccine reactions common?
Mild tiredness or a sore spot for a day is normal. Facial swelling, vomiting or trouble breathing are not: call us or the nearest emergency vet straight away.
Can my puppy go outside before the last shots?
Your own yard and carrying them around town is great for socializing. Skip dog parks and busy trails until a week or two after the final puppy vaccines.
Does an indoor cat need vaccines?
Yes. Rabies is required by law, and FVRCP viruses can come in on shoes and clothes. Indoor-only adults may not need FeLV boosters; we’ll talk it through.