Dog & Cat Vaccinations
Dog & Cat Vaccinations in Glendale and Phoenix, AZ
At Pet Life Veterinary Clinic, we believe that vaccination is one of the easiest ways to protect your pet from serious, and sometimes fatal, disease. We create customized immunization programs for puppies, kittens, adults, and senior pets at both our Arrowhead facility in Glendale and our Paradise Valley location in Phoenix.
How We Approach Dog and Cat Vaccinations
The unique thing about our vaccine program is that we don’t give every pet the same set of shots.
Many clinics operate immunizations like a checklist. Your pet comes in, receives the normal package and goes home. That can leave some pets underprotected and give others shots they don’t require.
Instead, we start with your pet. We look at historical records, ask how your pet truly lives and examine before anything is given to ensure they are healthy enough to respond well. Does your dog board, go to the groomer, or hike with you? Does your cat roam outside or share your house with new cats? Those replies affect the plan.
That’s what current AAHA guidelines recommend: core vaccines every pet needs, plus lifestyle vaccines chosen for real risk.
You leave knowing what your pet received, why, and when the next dose is due.
Core Vaccines for Dogs
Core immunizations defend against diseases that threaten all dogs, no matter what their lifestyle.
DA2PP (also called DHPP)
This one combination vaccine protects against canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus, and in some formulas parainfluenza. Distemper and parvovirus are fast-moving diseases that pose the greatest threat to puppies and dogs who have not been immunized.
Rabies
It’s fatal and can spread to people. In Maricopa County, canines older than three months must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. We give you the record you need for boarding and travel, and for licensing. Rabies protection might last one or three years, depending on your dog’s history and the type of vaccine.
Leptospirosis
This bacterial illness can infect people too, and it can damage the kidneys and liver. Dogs pick it up from water or soil contaminated by wildlife or rodent urine. AAHA now considers lepto a core vaccine for dogs, even dogs in dry areas like ours. The initial series is two doses, two to four weeks apart, then a booster each year.
Dog Lifestyle Vaccinations
These depend on where your dog goes and who they meet.
Bordetella
Bordetella lowers the odds of the respiratory infection most people know as kennel cough. It makes sense for dogs that are boarded, go to daycare, go to groomers, attend training programs or go to dog parks. Most boarding and grooming facilities need confirmation of current Bordetella vaccine.
Canine Influenza
Canine Influenza is something to consider for the socially active dog in boarding, daycare or show situations. Dogs receiving it for the first time need two doses.
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is chosen based on tick exposure and travel history. It may be suitable for Arizona dogs that camp, hike or travel to areas where Lyme disease is common.
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Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Puppies need a series of shots, not just one. Antibodies inherited from their mother can block early vaccines from working, and those antibodies fade at different times in different puppies. That’s why doses repeat.
Age
What Happens
6 to 8 weeks
First DAPP vaccine, exam, fecal test, preventive plan
9 to 12 weeks
DAPP booster, lifestyle vaccines when appropriate
12 weeks or older
Start the two-dose leptospirosis series
14 to 16 weeks or later
Final puppy DAPP, second lepto dose, rabies, lifestyle boosters
One early immunization does not protect a dog. Finishing the series is what counts.
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Boosters for Adult Dogs
Not all vaccines are annual. DAPP boosters can be up to every 3 years depending on the product and your dog’s history, rabies every 1 or 3 years, leptospirosis yearly and Bordetella or influenza based on ongoing risk and facility guidelines.
Adopted a dog with unknown records? We can put them on a safe catch-up schedule. AAHA notes that updating an overdue dog usually outweighs the risk of leaving them unprotected.
Vaccinations for Cats and Kittens
Indoor cats benefit too. Cats escape, meet wildlife such as bats, and sometimes board. The plan should match your cat’s whole life, not just where they sleep.
FVRCP
FVRCP protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus), calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Herpesvirus and calicivirus cause most of the contagious respiratory illness in cats. Panleukopenia can be fatal, especially in kittens. Kittens start the FVRCP series around six weeks and repeat every three to four weeks until at least 16 weeks old.
Rabies
Cats are not required to be licensed or vaccinated in Maricopa County at this time. We still suggest it, as cats might encounter infected wildlife and rabies is lethal once symptoms occur.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) suppresses the immune system and can cause anemia and malignancy. It is passed by close contact between cats. We recommend it for kittens, outdoor cats, cats in shifting multi-cat households and cats living with a FeLV-positive cat. Cats are tested for FeLV before their first FeLV vaccine. The first series involves two doses three to four weeks apart.
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Cat & Kitten Vaccination Schedule
Age
What Happens
6 to 8 weeks
First FVRCP, exam, fecal test
9 to 12 weeks
FVRCP booster, FeLV test and first dose when appropriate
12 to 16 weeks
Additional FVRCP, second FeLV dose
16 weeks or later
Final kitten FVRCP, rabies, next booster dates confirmed
FVRCP can be given less frequently for low risk adult cats, rabies follows the vaccine label, and FeLV relies on continuous exposure. Older cats are not automatically too old for vaccinations. We consider age alongside health, lifestyle, and actual disease risk.
What to Expect: 3 Simple Steps
Step 1
Records and Lifestyle Review
Bring any papers you have with you. We ask about your pet’s daily routine and check which vaccines they have already had.
Exam, Then Vaccines
We confirm your pet is healthy enough to vaccinate and only deliver the vaccines that fit. If your pet is ill, on specific medications or has reacted before, we’ll change the strategy.
Step 2
Step 3
Records and Next Steps
You leave with updated documentation, the date for the next dose, and a clear description of what to watch for.
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Aftercare and Side Effects
Most pets do just fine. Your pet may have a day or so of mild soreness, tiredness, extra sleep, reduced appetite, or a low fever that passes on its own.
Serious allergic reactions are rare but can arise within minutes to hours. Call us or seek emergency veterinary care if your pet develops facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, severe weakness, or collapse. According to the AVMA, these reactions are rare but can be life-threatening.
Tell us before any vaccine if your pet has reacted in the past. We can stagger doses, change scheduling, or take extra measures.
Records for Licensing, Boarding, and Travel
Your pet’s record should have the vaccine provided, date, manufacturer and lot, clinic, and the next due date. You may need it for Maricopa County dog licensing, boarding, daycare, grooming, training, travel or rental rules. Different destinations have different travel requirements, and some trips also require a health certificate, so check before you book.
Vaccinations at Both Arizona Locations
Pet Life Veterinary Clinic Arrowhead serves pet owners in Arrowhead, Glendale, Peoria, North Phoenix, Sun City, and nearby West Valley communities.
Pet Life Veterinary Clinic Paradise Valley serves Paradise Valley, Phoenix, North Phoenix, Scottsdale, and nearby Northeast Valley communities.
Book a Dog or Cat Vaccination Appointment
If your puppy is starting the series, your kitten needs core protection or your adult pet is overdue, we will put together a clear plan around your pet.
Schedule at either our Arrowhead-Glendale or Paradise Valley-Phoenix location. Bring whatever records you have. We are always here when your pet needs us.
Send us a message
Arrowhead Location
Monday: 8AM-5PM
Tuesday – Friday: 8AM-6PM
Paradise Valley
Monday-Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday: 8AM-4PM
Thursday-Saturday: 8AM-6PM
Sunday: 8AM-12PM