Pet Vaccinations in Lake in the Hills, IL

Vaccine Protection Built Around Your Individual Pet and Lifestyle

Vaccinations, shots, immunizations. Different words that describe what has become a hot topic for not only people but their pets. With opinions, news stories, and social media reels focusing on this topic it can leave a pet owner confused, scared, and uncertain with what really is safe for their pet. Vaccines by definition are a “medical preparation that trains your body’s immune system to safely recognize and fight off specific disease-causing germs.” They have over the years prevented and abolished many often deadly diseases in our world. The uncertainty arises when we hear stories of pets becoming ill potentially associated with vaccination or whether a particular product is really necessary for all pets. Our goal is to help bring a feeling of confidence and safety to a part of medicine whose goal is to keep everyone safe.

Vaccination protocols are not one size fits all. They should be based on the individual pet and their risk of exposure to a disease. We are fortunate in that we have been able to identify and prevent several infectious diseases from infecting our cat and dog populations as a whole. But how, who, and why we give a vaccine to any given pet is based on a conversation about that pet’s lifestyle and their owner’s goals.

Vaccines are among the most safe and effective tools that we have in veterinary medicine. Most owners do not realize how horrific and life threatening the diseases they protect against are because we have done such a good job in preventing them. Think of it like measles in humans, hardly ever a case except in those unvaccinated and then potentially fatal. That does not mean every pet needs every vaccine. A dog who hikes McHenry County trails every weekend and boards twice a year at doggie daycare faces different risks than an indoor only cat, and giving them the same protocol is not good medicine in either direction.

At Healthy Paws Animal Hospital we build a vaccination plan around your individual pet’s age, health, vaccination history and how they actually live. We will tell you what we recommend, why we recommend it, and what we would leave out.

Dog Vaccines

Core Vaccines for Dogs

Core vaccinations are typically recommended for every dog, whatever their lifestyle, because the diseases they prevent are in our environment thus more widespread, are highly contagious and are often fatal. These vaccinations have been around for decades and their safety profile is well understood.

Rabies is one of the few diseases that can infect any warm blooded animal, including humans, and is considered 100% fatal. The incidence of Rabies in humans in the United States is very low (partially due to vaccination programs), but it is still found in wild animals, dogs and cats. This vaccine is required by Illinois law and it is imperative to community safety that we protect our domestic pets from exposure and infection. In 2025 there were 49 confirmed cases of Rabies in Illinois, 48 in bats, 1 in a dog. There is no room for error with this disease and the outcome once symptoms develop is almost 100% of the time death. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated no later than 16 weeks of age, then again a year later, and then every three years for life.

Distemper Virus Distemper is a contagious virus that is spread by infected dogs most commonly through airborne exposure to respiratory secretions (i.e. coughing, sneezing). Wildlife exposure, kennel situations, and direct contact also contribute to infection. Infection with distemper can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and death particularly in the young, thus why vaccination is important in the young. Puppies are protected by mother’s milk initially and then by vaccinations given every two to three weeks through 16 weeks of age. Distemper is boosted one year later and then given no more frequently than every five years.

Adenovirus 1 and 2 (CAV-1, CAV-2) There are two different strains of Adenovirus that are spread by infected dogs. CAV-1 causes an often fatal in puppies infectious hepatitis (liver inflammation) while the second strain CAV-2 contributes to “kennel cough.” Both viruses can live in the environment for some time making transmission risk not just by contact with an infected dog but also from contact with items (ex. bowls) that were used by these dogs. Puppies are protected by mother’s milk initially and then by vaccinations given every three weeks through 16 weeks of age. Adenovirus is boosted one year later and then given no more frequently than every five years.

Parvovirus Parvo is an extremely contagious virus that causes a severe infection of the stomach and intestines which can lead to bloody diarrhea, vomiting and, if not treated, often death. Puppies gain protection initially from mother’s milk, but as this immunity fades, they require vaccination to prevent infection. Parvovirus is spread by an infected dog’s feces and is hardy, surviving in the environment for months. Young, unvaccinated dogs are very susceptible, so avoid walking your young pet in public areas until they are completely vaccinated. This is the most common virus seen still today in our hospitals due to how long it contaminates the environment.

Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria spread to both dogs and humans via contact with an infected animal or person’s urine. Virtually all mammals can carry lepto and while some tend to just be “carriers,” dogs and humans are considered more susceptible to becoming sick with this potentially fatal disease. While antibiotics can potentially treat this disease if caught early, associated liver and/or kidney disease can be life threatening. This vaccination requires one initial booster the first year it is administered and is then administered annually.

Lifestyle Vaccines for Dogs

Some vaccinations are considered non-core and are recommended according to exposure risk of the individual pet. We discuss which may or may not be right for your dog at their wellness exam.

Bordetella/Parainfluenza/Influenza Bordetella is a common bacteria involved in “kennel cough” or what we could consider an infectious bronchitis. Parainfluenza and Canine Influenza are viruses that can also cause upper respiratory infection. It is recommended that any dog exposed to group situations such as boarding, grooming, dog parks or dog shows consider these upper respiratory vaccinations. Bordetella and Parainfluenza vaccines are given in a nasal spray or injectable form and are ideally given a minimum of one week before exposure. Annual boosters are necessary. Canine Influenza vaccine is given in injectable form and requires an initial dose, then a booster three weeks later. Immunity is achieved one week after the booster. Annual boosters are necessary.

Lyme Disease Borrelia is a bacteria that is spread via deer ticks and causes Lyme disease in dogs and humans. Lyme disease is considered endemic (constantly present) in our area and therefore exposure is likely for our dog population. Of exposed dogs, 10 to 15% will develop signs of disease often in the form of fever or joint pain that is often treatable with antibiotics. However the disease can also attack the kidneys leading to irreversible kidney failure. Flea and tick prevention tends to be effective in preventing this disease, as does vaccination. Dogs with frequent tick exposure or traveling to heavily wooded areas should consider vaccination. The vaccination requires one initial booster the first year it is administered and is then administered annually.

Cat Vaccines

Core Vaccines for Cats

Indoor only cats need core vaccinations too. Viruses travel into a house on shoes and clothing, bats find their way indoors, and very few indoor cats live their whole lives without one accidental trip out a door or to the veterinarian.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus 1) (FVR) Rhinotracheitis is a contagious virus that is spread by infected cats and causes 50% of respiratory disease in cats. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, loss of appetite, and fever. It can also become dormant in the body and lead to recurrent symptoms for the life of your cat. Kittens are protected by mother’s milk initially and then by vaccinations given by your veterinarian every three weeks through 16 weeks of age. These are then boosted one year later, and then given no more frequently than every three years.

Calicivirus (C) Calicivirus is a contagious virus that is spread by infected cats and causes respiratory disease in cats. Symptoms of calicivirus include upper respiratory infection, limping, and oral ulceration. Kittens are protected by mother’s milk initially and then by vaccinations given by your veterinarian every three weeks through 16 weeks of age. These are then boosted one year later, and then given no more frequently than every three years.

Panleukopenia (P) Panleukopenia is an extremely contagious virus that is often fatal in cats. Fever, depression, loss of appetite and sudden death are all symptoms. Kittens gain protection initially from mother’s milk, but as this immunity fades immunization continues the protection process. The disease is spread by infected cat’s feces and is very hardy, surviving in the environment for months. This vaccination is given every three weeks through 16 weeks of age, boosted one year later, and then every three years.

Rabies (Recombinant vs Adjuvanted) Rabies is one of the few diseases that can infect any warm blooded animal, including humans and is considered 100% fatal. The incidence of Rabies in humans in the United States is very low (partially due to vaccination programs) but it is still found in wild animals and even cats and dogs. Cats should be vaccinated at 12 to 16 weeks of age, a year later, and then every year to three years for life. The newer recombinant vaccine has been shown to be less inflammatory and therefore associated with lower vaccine associated sarcoma risk. We only carry this version of the vaccine at Healthy Paws Animal Hospital.

Lifestyle Vaccines for Cats

Leukemia (FELV) Leukemia is a virus spread from cat to cat via direct contact. FELV tends to be an immunosuppressive disease predisposing infected cats to a variety of illnesses and cancers. Cats with exposure to the outside are considered at risk for infection with the leukemia virus. The vaccination requires one initial booster the first year it is administered and is then administered annually.

Puppy and Kitten Vaccine Schedules

Young animals need a series rather than a single vaccination, and the reason is worth understanding. Nursing passes maternal antibodies (aka disease fighting cells) to puppies and kittens, which protect them early. These maternal antibodies however also interfere with the ability for vaccination to “teach” the immune system to fight off these diseases moving forward. Because these antibodies fade at a different age in every individual animal, and there is no practical way to know the day it happens in yours, we have to administer several doses of our vaccination to make sure they are protected for years to come. Spacing doses three to four weeks apart through sixteen weeks is how we make sure at least one of our vaccines lands after that window closes while still protecting our young patients from disease real time.

Typical Puppy Schedule

• Six to eight weeks: First DA2P, discuss lifestyle vaccines
• Ten to twelve weeks: Second DA2P, Leptospirosis, discuss lifestyle vaccines
• Fourteen to sixteen weeks: Third DA2P, rabies, Leptospirosis booster, discuss lifestyle vaccines
• Twelve to sixteen months: First adult boosters, discuss lifestyle vaccines

Typical Kitten Schedule

• Six to eight weeks: First FVRCP, discuss lifestyle vaccines
• Ten to twelve weeks: Second FVRCP, discuss lifestyle vaccines
• Fourteen to sixteen weeks: Third FVRCP, rabies, discuss lifestyle vaccines
• Twelve to sixteen months: First adult boosters

Every schedule is adjusted to the individual patient. If you have adopted a pet whose history is unknown or incomplete, which is common and not a problem, we will build a catch up plan that protects them as quickly and as safely as possible. If your pet is a little older we will double check to make sure they are also protected.

Why We Do Not Use One Protocol for Every Pet

Some practices give every patient the same vaccinations on the same schedule because it is simpler. We do not believe that is the best medicine. Vaccinating beyond what a pet needs adds cost and is unnecessary. Vaccinating less than a pet needs can leave a dangerous gap.

For each patient we consider:

• Age, breed and overall health
• How they live: Indoors or outdoors, boarding, travel, daycare, grooming, other pets in the household, immunocompromised owners
• Disease prevalence in Lake in the Hills and McHenry County, which is not the same as the national picture
• Vaccination history and any previous reaction

Vaccination Visits Should Be Uneventful

Very few pets object to the injection itself. What they object to is everything around it.

You will not sit in a waiting room here. You and your pet go directly to an exam room and stay there. Vaccinations are given with the tiniest needle and treats galore. With gentle handling and minimal restraint, at a pace set by your pet, and by a team who will stop and change approach rather than push a frightened pet beyond their comfort zone.

Most patients are eating a treat before they have registered that anything happened and owners often ask if we are going to still “give the shot” not knowing it was already done. Pets who learn that this is an easy place to be are easier to care for at every visit for the rest of their lives, and that matters far more than a single appointment.

Schedule Your Pet’s Vaccinations

Whether you have a new puppy, a new kitten, an adult pet due for boosters, or a rescue whose history nobody can find, we would be glad to help. Healthy Paws Animal Hospital is privately owned and has served Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Huntley, Crystal Lake, Cary, the Village of Lakewood and Woodstock since 2010.

Call us at (815) 322-5400 or request a visit online.

Questions and Answers