Dog & Cat Vaccinations

Vaccines are one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your dog or cat from serious and sometimes fatal diseases. The right vaccines depend on your pet’s species, age, and lifestyle, from puppies and kittens starting their first series to adult dogs who board, visit daycare, or play at the dog park.

Fish Creek Animal Hospital provides dog and cat vaccinations in Montgomery, TX. Our veterinarians tailor every vaccine plan to your pet, explain what each vaccine protects against, and keep track of boosters so your pet stays protected. Use this page as a quick guide, then explore each vaccine in depth. We vaccinate dogs and cats from Montgomery, The Woodlands, New Caney, and Willis.

Core vs. Lifestyle Vaccines

Core vaccines are recommended for every dog or cat, regardless of where they live or how they spend their time, because the diseases they prevent are widespread, contagious, and dangerous. For dogs, that means DHPP and rabies. For cats, it means FVRCP and rabies.

Lifestyle vaccines are recommended based on your pet’s exposure risk. These include Bordetella (kennel cough), leptospirosis, and Lyme disease for dogs, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) for cats. We’ll talk through your pet’s routine, travel, and social life to decide which ones make sense.

Kennel Cough (Bordetella) Vaccine

Kennel cough is one of the most common contagious illnesses we see in social dogs. It spreads quickly anywhere dogs gather: boarding facilities, daycares, training classes, dog parks, grooming salons, and even veterinary waiting rooms.

What Kennel Cough Looks Like

The telltale sign is a forceful, hacking cough that sounds like a honk, as if your dog has something stuck in their throat. It often gets worse with excitement or exercise. Some dogs also sneeze, have a runny nose or eye discharge, a mild fever, or seem tired. Most healthy adult dogs recover in one to three weeks, but puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications like pneumonia.

Call us if your dog has difficulty breathing, stops eating, or becomes lethargic.

Kennel Cough Vaccine at a Glance

• Protects against: Bordetella bronchiseptica, the bacterium behind most kennel cough cases
• How we give it: Intranasally (in the nose), which often provides protection within 48 to 72 hours
• Who needs it: Any dog that boards, attends daycare, visits groomers, goes to training classes or dog parks, or plays with other dogs
• When: As early as eight weeks of age
• Boosters: Every six to twelve months, depending on how often your dog is around other dogs

Most boarding facilities, daycares, and groomers require proof of a Bordetella vaccine within the past six months to a year, so check your dog’s records well before a reservation. No vaccine is 100% effective, and other germs can also cause kennel cough, but vaccinated dogs who do get sick usually have milder, shorter illness.

Learn more about kennel cough and the Bordetella vaccine

Puppy Vaccines (DHPP) at a Glance

The DHPP vaccine, sometimes called the distemper combo or puppy shot, is a core vaccine that protects against four serious viral diseases.

• Protects against: Distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza
• Puppy series: First dose at six to eight weeks, then boosters every three to four weeks until 16 to 18 weeks old (usually three to four doses)
• Adult boosters: One year after the puppy series, then every three years for most dogs
• Why the series matters: Antibodies from the mother interfere with early vaccines, so the final dose after 16 weeks provides the most reliable protection

Until the series is complete, avoid dog parks, pet stores, and areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been, since parvovirus can survive in soil and on surfaces for months. Puppy classes that require proof of vaccination are a safer way to socialize.

Learn more about core puppy vaccines

Kitten Vaccines (FVRCP) at a Glance

The FVRCP vaccine, often called the feline distemper shot, is a core vaccine for every kitten, including indoor-only cats.

• Protects against: Feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus, and panleukopenia (feline distemper)
• Kitten series: First dose at six to eight weeks, then boosters every three to four weeks until 16 to 18 weeks old
• Adult boosters: One year after the kitten series, then every three years for most cats
• Also discussed: The FeLV vaccine, strongly recommended for kittens who go outdoors or live with FeLV-positive cats

If you adopted a kitten, bring any shelter records to the first visit so we know where your kitten is in the series.

Learn more about core kitten vaccines

Rabies Vaccine at a Glance

Rabies is a fatal viral disease with no cure once symptoms appear. Vaccination protects your pet, your family, and our community, and it is required by Texas law for both dogs and cats.

• Required for: All dogs and cats, including indoor cats
• First dose: Texas law requires vaccination by 16 weeks of age, and we often give it at the final puppy or kitten series visit
• Boosters: One year after the first dose, then every one or three years depending on the vaccine used
• Paperwork: You’ll receive a rabies certificate and collar tag, which boarding, grooming, and travel often require

Bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes can all carry rabies in Texas. If your pet has contact with wildlife, call us right away, even if their vaccine is current.

Learn more about rabies vaccinations

Lyme Disease Vaccine at a Glance

Lyme disease is spread by infected black-legged ticks. Texas sees fewer cases than the Northeast, but the risk is real for dogs who spend time outdoors or travel.

• Recommended for: Dogs who hike, hunt, camp, or travel to higher-risk areas
• Initial series: Two doses given three to four weeks apart
• Boosters: Once a year
• Best paired with: Year-round tick prevention and tick checks after time outdoors

Learn more about the Lyme disease vaccine

What to Expect at Your Pet’s Vaccine Visit

Vaccines are quick injections (or nose drops, for Bordetella) given during an exam, and most pets tolerate them well with gentle handling and treats. Mild side effects such as tiredness, soreness at the injection site, or a reduced appetite are common and usually pass within 24 to 48 hours.

Serious reactions are rare. Call us right away if you notice facial swelling, hives, vomiting, or difficulty breathing after a vaccine.

Vaccine visits are also a great time for a wellness exam. For puppies and kittens, we track growth, discuss nutrition and training, and plan for spaying or neutering. For older pets, we adjust vaccine plans as part of senior pet care.

Why Choose Fish Creek Animal Hospital for Pet Vaccinations?

Founded by Dr. Kevin Wheeler in 2021, Fish Creek Animal Hospital is a privately owned practice for dogs and cats serving Montgomery, Woodforest, Conroe, Magnolia, and nearby communities. We tailor every vaccine plan to your pet’s lifestyle instead of a one-size-fits-all schedule, keep detailed vaccine records, and remind you when boosters are due.

Schedule Your Pet’s Vaccines

Whether you have a new puppy or kitten, a dog with an upcoming boarding stay, or an adult pet who is due for boosters, request an appointment and our team will make sure your pet is protected.

Explore Our Vaccination Services

Frequently Asked Questions