What happens if my puppy or kitten misses a vaccination or booster?

Vaccinations remain one of the best methods of protecting our animals from the many dangerous and even deadly diseases that could threaten their health. They work in an identical way to human vaccines – by triggering the production of antibodies that can fight the disease which they are designed to prevent.

As pet owners, we are told by our veterinarians that it is essential that our animals receive their vaccinations and boosters on time. This is because each vaccine is only effective at triggering the production of antibodies to fight the disease it protects against for a set amount of time, and further doses are needed to continue the protection.

So, what happens if something arises which means that your puppy or kitten misses their vaccination or booster? Here’s what you need to know about puppy/kitten vaccinations and what you should do if an appointment for this important preventative medication is missed.

First vaccinations

The immune systems of puppies and kittens aren’t fully developed when they are born, which as you might expect, puts them at greater risk of developing some diseases. Nursing helps to boost their immunity a little, as their mother transfers some of her own antibodies to her young through her milk. These maternal antibodies are estimated to last for up to 20 weeks, which is why the initial series of vaccinations that your puppy or kitten will be recommended to have should be completed within the first four months of their life.

The series of vaccinations typically begins between 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters being administered every 2-4 weeks until your animal has received the full amount of protection. Many people may wonder why vaccinations aren’t started earlier, such as within a week or two of birth. The truth is that the maternal antibodies can actually prevent the effectiveness of certain vaccinations, and so the initial series of vaccines is timed to fall within the short window between maternal antibodies decreasing and being completely non-existent. It is necessary to deliver the vaccines in several doses so that your pet’s immature immune system and low body weight can safely handle them.

Your vet will be able to tell you exactly which vaccinations your puppy or kitten needs and when they should be administered. If you have any questions about this schedule, it is essential that you speak to your vet as soon as possible.

Missing a vaccination or booster

If your puppy or kitten is more than 2 weeks late for booster vaccination, their immune system will no longer be as active, and this means that there will be less of an immune response from the subsequent vaccination. The action taken by your vet will primarily depend on how late you are with the appointment. If this is more than 3 or 4 weeks, your furbaby may be given two vaccinations just 2 or 3 weeks apart to boost their immunity against the disease. Please note that this doesn’t apply to rabies vaccinations. 

Until your puppy or kitten has been vaccinated and your vet is happy that they are fully protected against contagious diseases, you should be sure to keep them away from unvaccinated animals and keep them off of the ground anywhere other than your own home and yard.
 

For more advice on what to do if your puppy or kitten misses a vaccination or booster, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our knowledgeable veterinary team.