Hey pet parents! 🐶 As a veterinarian, I can’t stress enough how important vaccines are for keeping your furry friend healthy—especially here in Arizona, where certain risks are higher due to our climate and wildlife. 🌵
💉 Core Vaccines (Recommended for ALL dogs):
✅ Rabies – Required by law in Arizona. Protects against a deadly virus that affects both pets and humans.
✅ Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus (DA2PP/DAPP) – Shields your pup from highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases.
💉 Non-Core (Optional, based on risk):
🐍 Leptospirosis – A bacterial infection that thrives in warm, wet environments (think monsoon season!).
🌿 Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – Important for social pups who visit parks, daycare, or boarding facilities.
🦟 Canine Influenza – Recommended if your dog frequents places with high dog-to-dog contact.
📅 When to Vaccinate:
- Puppies: Start as early as 6-8 weeks with boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old.
- Adults: Annual or every 3-year boosters, depending on the vaccine and lifestyle risk.
💡 Pro Tip: Always consult with your vet to tailor a vaccine schedule based on your dog’s lifestyle and health needs. Prevention is the best protection! 🩺
Dr. Erica Ou, DVM
Dr. Erica Liu was born and raised in Guangzhou, China. She came to United Stated in 2010 with a dream of becoming a Veterinarian. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at the University of Arizona and moved to Phoenix to pursue her DVM degree. She graduated from Midwestern University Veterinary College in May 2019, mostly focused on small animals. She took an oath to use her scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering and the conservation of animal resources and the promotion of public health. She believes the best way to provide the professional care for animals is through working closely with their family. She is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. She has one cat named Hooba. Hooba was one of the orphan kittens found in Tucson in 2014, they become each other’s best study buddy, sleeping buddy and playing buddy.
