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Core Vs Non-Core Pet Vaccinations

January 11, 2024

Core & Non-Core Pet Vaccinations Explained

As a responsible pet owner, ensuring the health and well-being of your furry friend is a top priority. Much like us, our pets are susceptible to a wide range of diseases and illnesses. Vaccinations play a crucial role in protecting our beloved best friends from these illnesses. When it comes to pet vaccines, you may hear the terms “core” and “non-core” vaccinations. It is important to understand the difference between the two so you can make an informed decision about your pet’s healthcare. Below, we will explore the difference between the two.

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines are vaccinations that are considered essential to protecting the health and well-being of your pet. These are the ones that all pets should, at minimum, receive. These vaccines help to prevent the spread of high-contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases to your furry friend. Your veterinarian will typically recommend that you get these vaccines in your pet’s first wellness exam. Additionally, they may suggest that your pet receives booster shots in the future to continue to keep them protected against these diseases. Core vaccines that every pet should receive include the following:


  • Rabies: Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is fatal in both animals and humans. Vaccination against rabies is required by law in many regions.


  • Distemper: Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It can be fatal, especially in puppies.


  • Parvovirus: Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms and can be life-threatening.


For cats, core vaccines typically include:


  • Rabies: Rabies vaccination is crucial for cats as it protects them from this deadly viral disease.


  • Feline Panleukopenia: Also known as feline distemper, this viral disease affects the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. It can be severe, especially in kittens.


  • Feline Herpesvirus and Calicivirus: These viruses cause upper respiratory infections in cats and are highly contagious.

Non-Core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines, also known as optional or lifestyle vaccines, are vaccinations that are recommended based on a pet's individual risk factors. These vaccines are not considered essential, but they should be considered based on factors such as your pet’s lifestyle, where you live, and exposure risks. Non-core vaccines protect against illnesses that are not highly contagious or are less common. Common non-core vaccines include the following:


  • Bordetella: This vaccine protects against kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection that is common in dogs that frequently interact with other dogs in boarding facilities, dog parks, or training classes.


  • Lyme Disease: The Lyme disease vaccine is recommended for dogs in regions where ticks carrying the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are prevalent.


For cats, non-core vaccines may include:


  • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): FeLV is a viral infection that can lead to various health problems, including an increased risk of cancer. This vaccine is recommended for cats that have outdoor access or live with FeLV-positive cats.


  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): FIV is a viral infection that weakens a cat's immune system. The FIV vaccine is recommended for cats at high risk of exposure, such as outdoor cats that may engage in fights with other cats.

Contact Us Today to Learn More About Pet Vaccinations!

It is important to discuss which core and non-core pet vaccinations are necessary for your beloved furry friend. Although non-core vaccines are not essential, they too are important in protecting the health of your pet. Be sure to have a conversation with your veterinarian about the risk factors of your pet to determine which vaccines would be best for your pet.


At Transit Animal Hospital, we provide pet vaccinations to pets throughout the West Seneca, NY area. Vaccines help ensure the well-being and happiness of your pet. Our veterinary care team would be happy to discuss with you which core and non-core vaccines would be best for your pet. If you have any questions or concerns about vaccinations, we can address those as well. Contact us today to schedule your pet vaccination appointment!

How to Keep Your Pet Safe Around the Holidays

November 12, 2024
The holiday season can be one of the busiest times of the year for many families. Click here to learn how to keep your pet safe during this festive time!
Brown and white dog sitting on concrete steps

The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Pets

November 27, 2023
Our animal hospital, Transit Animal Hospital offers spaying and neutering services for pet owners in and around the Depew, NY area. Contact us to make an appointment today!
Veterinarian performing a check-up on a dog

What is Examined at a Pet Check-Up?

November 2, 2023
Is your pet due for an annual pet check-up? Here is what you can expect when you visit Transit Animal Hospital for a pet exam.
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The Importance of Pet Vaccinations

March 14, 2023
The biggest reason why you should vaccinate your pet is for their health and safety. Like humans, vaccines protect them from getting sick and possibly passing from serious illnesses. But there are a few other benefits of pet vaccinations as well, which include: Protecting other pets - When humans are sick and they go hangout with other humans, illnesses are spread from person to person. The same is true for animals, which is why vaccines are important to stay up to date with. Pet vaccinations will protect your dog and other dogs, so it’s a no brainer. Get annual pet vaccinations for your animals! Saving money - Paying for your sick pet to stay at an animal hospital and get the necessary medication to treat their illness is much more expensive than pet vaccinations. Save yourself time and money by getting your pet vaccinated annually to prevent them from getting sick during the year. Needed for pet boarding - Pet vaccinations are needed for a pet to be boarded. Any unvaccinated pets will not be allowed to stay at a pet boarding facility. To avoid running into this issue when you want to travel and need to board your pet, get your pet vaccinated every year at their vet appointment. Contact our animal hospital for more information about pet vaccinations. We want to help you keep your pet and the other animals they meet safe. Our services are accessible to West Seneca, Lancaster, Williamsville, Clarence, Cheektowaga, Depew, and Orchard Park, NY.
Black and gray cat lying on a couch

Reasons to Adopt a Cat from a Shelter

June 5, 2019
When you start to consider bringing a cat into your home, an animal shelter is a great option to adopt from. There are many reasons to adopt from a shelter. Unfortunately, there are far more homeless cats than there are adoptive families and the ASPCA estimates that 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters every year, but most of them never get adopted. There are so many positives that a shelter cat can bring into your life. Saving a life – Any shelter cat needs a stable home. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, it also opens a space for the shelter and rescue groups to take in another cat, potentially leading to more saved lives. Save money – Most shelters will include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, and viral tests in your adoption fee. This saves a lot of money when getting a new cat, as doing these procedures and providing vaccinations at the vet can be very costly. It is also common that shelters will even include food, litter, accessories, and toys. Personality of the cat is known – Since the cats in many shelters will interact with their caretakers and volunteers every day, the cat’s true personality starts to come through. Particularly with adult cats, you can find a companion with the type of temperament that you may be looking for. Good for your mental health – When you own a cat or any other pet, it has been shown to have positive effects on humans ability to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Adopting a cat from a shelter can improve your sense of happiness and general well-being. If you have any questions about adopting a shelter cat, please contact Transit Animal Hospital!

Why Dental Health is Important for Dogs

May 2, 2019
Taking care of your dog’s oral hygiene can make all the difference when it comes to their comfort and health. While there are several dental care options available to choose from, keep in mind that anything you can do to help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation will make the difference. It is best to consider the following when determining how important it is to take care of your dog’s teeth: Periodontal Disease – Just like humans, dogs experience plaque buildup. This leads to the accumulation of bacteria and tartar along the dog’s gumline. Eventually, this will cause gum irritation and inflammation. Your dog might start to experience tooth loss, bad breath, and oral pain. Overall Health – When bacteria caused by plaque doesn’t just stay in your dog’s mouth, it will start to travel to other parts of the body. A few of the organs that are affected by the bacteria caused by the dental disease are primarily the heart and kidneys. Baby Teeth – Dogs lose their baby teeth just like humans. If you are not taking care of your dog’s dental needs, this might make the process of losing baby teeth quite painful. When you take care of your dog’s teeth while they are still a puppy, you’re helping ensure that they will have better dental health throughout every stage of their life. Professional Dental Care is Expensive – It is common that most people let nature take its course and don’t do anything about their dog’s oral health. Over time, if a dental health concern arises, you’re going to have to pay for it. This could entail professional cleaning, x-rays, tooth extraction, or medications. This could also include anesthesia and antibiotics. If you take care of their teeth now, you’re setting your dog up for better health in the future. Better Breath – It is no surprise that we prefer our dogs with fresh breath. When you take care of your dog’s teeth, it means less plaque, leading to safer kisses from them, too! You don’t want to end up getting sick just because your dog wants to show you how much they love you. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your dog’s dental health, please give Transit Animal Hospital a call today!
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