Pet Vaccinations in Silver Spring, MD

Pet vaccinations protect your dog or cat against serious, often life-threatening diseases — many of which are still present right here in the Silver Spring, MD area. At Fairland Animal Hospital, we take a thoughtful, personalized approach, helping you choose what makes the most sense for your pet’s lifestyle, risk level, and overall health. No one-size-fits-all plans here, just guidance you can trust and care you can feel good about.

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Why Vaccines Matter

Vaccinations help protect against serious, often life-threatening diseases, many of which are still present in our area. Some also protect your family, as certain illnesses can be passed between animals and humans. We’ll walk you through what your pet needs (and what they may not), so you can make informed decisions with confidence. Our goal is simple: keep your pet safe, healthy, and comfortable without overcomplicating things.

Dog & Cat Vaccinations

Dog Vaccinations

RABIES: The rabies virus is fatal but preventable with vaccination. It is spread through bites and scratches from infected animals. This vaccine is required by law and must always be administered by a veterinarian.

DAPP: Commonly called the canine distemper vaccine, although it also protects against adenovirus (or hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Canine distemper and parvovirus are highly contagious, often require hospitalization, and are sometimes fatal. Adenovirus (hepatitis) causes inflammation of the liver. Parainfluenza is a viral upper respiratory infection causing cough, fever, and nasal discharge.

LEPTOSPIROSIS: A bacterial disease spread through the urine of wildlife, by direct contact or shared water sources (ponds, puddles, etc.). It can spread to you and your family, and causes vomiting, diarrhea, fever, inappetence, and can lead to liver and kidney failure.

LYME: A tick-borne illness that can cause lameness, lack of appetite, fever, and joint pain, and in some cases fatal kidney failure. Pets (and people) who live in Maryland are at significant risk, so we recommend all area pets get vaccinated against Lyme and take year-round flea & tick prevention. Even indoor pets are at risk.

BORDETELLA: A bacterium that causes infectious bronchitis in our canine friends. Often mislabeled as a “kennel cough” vaccine — kennel cough is an umbrella term for several upper respiratory infections, some of which we do not yet have vaccinations for.

CANINE INFLUENZA: Can cause severe respiratory symptoms that may lead to hospitalization. Our influenza vaccine combines two common strains in the area, H3N8 and H3N2.

Cat Vaccinations

RABIES: The rabies virus is fatal but preventable with vaccination. It is spread through bites and scratches from infected animals. This vaccine is required by law and must always be administered by a veterinarian.

FVRCP: Also called the “feline distemper” vaccine, it protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Rhinotracheitis and calicivirus are highly contagious upper respiratory infections that can contribute to life-long flare-ups. Feline panleukopenia is a fatal virus that destroys white blood cells as they are produced and causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

FELINE LEUKEMIA: Spread through infected saliva, feces, urine, and other bodily fluids. This virus can cause life-long immune system deficiencies, cancers, and blood disorders.

Not sure what your pet needs? You don’t have to figure it out alone. We’ve got you. Our veterinary team will recommend the right plan at your pet’s next wellness exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which vaccines does my pet actually need?

It depends on your pet’s lifestyle, risk level, and overall health. We’ll walk you through what they need and what they may not, rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.