How do cat and dog vaccinations work?

Pet vaccines contain antigens that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies help your pet recognize and fight off future infections.

When should I vaccinate my puppy or kitten?

Puppies and kittens should begin their vaccines at 8 weeks of age, with boosters at 12 and 16 weeks. Rabies is typically administered around 15-16 weeks.

Do all pets need the same vaccination schedule?

No, pet vaccine schedules vary depending on the pet’s age, health status, and lifestyle. A veterinarian can recommend a tailored vaccination plan.

What vaccines do dogs need?

Dogs commonly need vaccines such as DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme, and Canine Influenza.

What vaccines do cats need?

Cats typically need vaccines like FVRCP, Rabies, and Feline Leukemia, depending on their exposure risk.

Pet Vaccinations

Cat & Dog Vaccines Offer Essential Protection

While we can’t remove bacteria, parasites and pathogens from your cat or dog’s environment, we can keep them protected with cat & pet vaccinations. At Dundee Animal Hospital, we carry all of the pet vaccines your dog or cat will need to stay protected throughout their life. Furthermore, we can create a customized pet vaccine plan to suit their specific lifestyle. Once we have established a plan, we’ll explain your cat or dog vaccination schedule. Many pet vaccines must be given annually to remain effective. In addition, puppies and kittens will need to receive a series of boosters to “boost” their immunity levels.

Like children, pets are extremely vulnerable to illness when they are young. Starting them off on the right paw might seem daunting, but that’s why we’re here to help! From one year to the next, you can count on us to be there for you and your best friend.

How Do Pet Vaccines Work?

Pet vaccinations function similar to human vaccinations. Vaccines contain antigens, or disease-causing agents. Once injected, they trigger the immune system to respond and produce antibodies. Furthermore, these antibodies will attack and destroy the virus. Thus your pet’s immune system will be able to recognize and fight off the virus in the future. To sustain your pet’s immunity to various diseases, they will need to be vaccinated on a routine basis.

Pet Vaccinations We Offer

For every harmful disease that’s out there threatening your pet, we have a vaccine to keep them safe:

Dog Vaccinations

Cat Vaccinations

When Should You Vaccinate Your Pet?

Most pets will not have the same pet vaccination schedule, or need the same vaccinations. However, it is important to keep up with your pet’s annual visits. In addition, if they experience any lifestyle changes, they may need another vaccine added to their health plan.

Since young puppies and kittens are vulnerable to disease, we recommend starting their vaccinations at 8 weeks old, granted they’re healthy. Both should receive a series of 3 distemper vaccinations at 8, 12 and 16-week intervals. Rabies can be given when your puppy or kitten is about 15-16 weeks old. A year after their initial rabies vaccination, your dog can receive the 3-year rabies vaccine, to be given every 3 years thereafter. Vaccines including Bordetella, Lyme, Canine Influenza or Feline Leukemia may be recommended depending on your pet’s exposure to these viruses.

If you are uncertain about your pet’s vaccination schedule or need our help, we would be more than happy to sit down and talk with you. Just give us a call at either our Dundee, Elgin or Algonquin location to make an appointment.

Schedule Your Pet's Vaccine Appointment Today

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Why People Trust Dundee Animal Hospital

For over 60 years, Dundee Animal Hospital has built a strong legacy of veterinary excellence, with each generation of staff passing down invaluable knowledge and experience. Today, that legacy empowers our skilled doctors and dedicated support team to deliver outstanding care for a wide variety of pets—including dogs, cats, birds, pocket pets, and exotic animals.

With a commitment to innovation and compassion, our hospitals in Dundee, Elgin, and Algonquin, IL, continue to raise the standard of care for both pets and their owners. We offer high-quality veterinary medicine, helpful educational resources, and exclusive promotions for our clients.

We invite you to learn more about us—and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us at (847) 278-9942.

Over 60 Years of Veterinary Knowledge & Experience

24/7 Emergency Services Available

Committed to the Safety of Your Pets

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K Tarte

It is difficult to put into words just how grateful and thankful I was and will always be for the IMMEDIATE Emergency Care Dundee Animal Hospital’s Angelic Jeanette, Dr. Holter & Team provided just before midnight 2 weeks ago when my precious little 11 1/2 year-old Chihuahua was silently and severely suffering…
She had never been diagnosed with a heart murmurs until a few days before when she didn’t want to take a walk and slept a lot more than usual. The vet recommended she be seen by heart specialists (who told me I could bring her for an MRI but no heart specialist would be there and the soonest we could see a heart doctor was 2 weeks… on top of that, the receptionist behaved as if I was wasting her time.
Upon reading ‘Lap of Love’ online article about what to consider and steps to take to best help your deeply loved companion, I realized she was slowly suffocating but could not tell me (30 breaths per minute is the average; but her count was 70 !!)
I prayed earnestly 🙏🙏🙏 while Googling ‘Closest 24/7 Emergency Animal Hospital’ to my zio code, and Dundee Animal Hospital popped up. On the second ring, calm and compassionately kind Jeanette picked up, answered all my questions. And as difficult a decision as it had been, I now just knew the most loving and caring thing my husband and I could do for our precious and deeply loved Little Girl of ❤️’ …They were only 10 minutes away - and during the drive Sweet Pepper Ann looked into my eyes and licked my hand with her little dry tongue as if to say, ‘I love you and know that you and papa are going to help me.”

Marita Strozier

I cannot recommend Dundee Animal Hospital of Algonquin enough. Dr. O'Brien Jungels cared for my cockatiel (who has been suffering from a chronic sinus infection for some time) and I have seen a drastic improvement in my bird's health.

The Doctor was knowledgeable, patient, and came up with a comprehensive and realistic treatment plan (both long and immediate term) and examined my bird in the room with me (my previous veterinarian rarely would examine my birds while I was present due to lack of examination rooms)

Appointment time was very prompt and I was taken care of right away--at my old vet, I would be at the appointment for a minimum of 3 hours due to their caseload (with no check ins or updates on queue/triage status)

All in all, this was night and day from my past experiences, and I am so grateful to have found a new vet for my birds! Thank you so much!

Christina Conway

We've been clients here for over 10 years, never a bad experience. They are considerate, friendly, compassionate and always take the time to address our concerns.

Chris H

I don't remember the intake nurse or the doctors names for that I apologize they worked with my Abby and they both provided a warn welcoming atmosphere both people talk to you and not at you like other vets. Meds were a little high priced but we'll worth being able to set a same day appointment without the emergency fee attached. 4.5 stars.