Cat and Dog Vaccinations in Hummelstown, PA Vaccines Chosen for Your Pet’s Real Life
A thoughtful vaccine plan gives your pet protection where they need it most. Cat and dog vaccinations help reduce the risk of serious contagious diseases while supporting the everyday routines pets enjoy, from neighborhood walks and grooming visits to boarding, travel, and time around other animals.
At Hershire Animal Hospital, we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach to vaccines. Our team considers your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, exposure risks, and vaccine history before recommending core or lifestyle vaccines for dogs and cats in Hummelstown, Hershey, Middletown, and nearby communities.
Give us a call at (717) 566-3703 or request your pet’s vaccination appointment online, and we will help you keep their protection current with clear guidance at every step.
Why Do Pets Need Vaccines Throughout Their Lives?
Pets need vaccines throughout their lives because protection can decrease over time, and disease exposure can change as pets age, move, travel, socialize, or develop new routines. A puppy or kitten needs a different vaccine schedule than an adult dog or cat, and senior pets still need protection based on their health and lifestyle.
Routine vaccination helps protect your pet from serious illnesses that may cause respiratory disease, digestive symptoms, neurologic problems, long-term complications, or life-threatening infection. Vaccines also help reduce the spread of contagious disease in the community.
Your pet may need updated vaccines if they:
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Are a puppy or kitten starting their first vaccine series
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Are due for routine boosters
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Visit groomers, boarding facilities, daycare, parks, or training classes
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Spend time outdoors or around wildlife
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Travel with you
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Live with other pets
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Have an unknown vaccine history
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Need proof of vaccination for services or travel
Which Vaccines Does Hershire Animal Hospital Offer?
Hershire Animal Hospital follows American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)(opens in new tab) vaccination recommendations for dogs and cats while tailoring each vaccine plan to the individual pet. Our team looks at your pet’s age, health, environment, travel habits, exposure to other animals, and daily routine before making recommendations.
Your veterinarian may discuss core vaccines, which are recommended for most pets, and lifestyle vaccines, which are recommended when your pet has a higher risk of exposure. Core vaccines protect against diseases that are widespread, serious, or required by law. Lifestyle vaccines help protect pets based on how they live, such as dogs who board, visit dog parks, attend daycare, or spend time in areas where certain diseases are more likely.
Common vaccine recommendations may include:
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Rabies vaccination
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Canine distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus (DAP) combination vaccines
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Leptospirosis and Lyme vaccination for dogs
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Bordetella (kennel cough) and canine influenza vaccination for dogs with social or boarding exposure
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Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) combination vaccines
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Feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccination for cats with exposure risk
What Should I Expect After My Pet Is Vaccinated?
Most dogs and cats do well after vaccination and return to their normal routine quickly. Some pets may feel a little tired or have mild soreness where the vaccine was given.
Mild, short-term changes may include:
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Sleepiness
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Mild tenderness at the vaccine site
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Slight decrease in appetite
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A small, temporary bump where the vaccine was given
These signs are usually brief. Our team will let you know what to watch for and when to contact us if anything seems unusual.
More serious reactions are uncommon, but they can happen. Contact Hershire Animal Hospital right away if your pet develops facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, trouble breathing, collapse, extreme weakness, or sudden worsening symptoms after a vaccine.
If your pet has reacted to a vaccine in the past, please tell our team before the appointment. We can review their history and plan their vaccination visit with extra care.
The right vaccine plan helps protect your pet without giving vaccines they do not need. Request an appointment online, or give us a call at (717) 566-3703 to schedule a visit.