New clients welcome! Limited time free first exam (terms apply) - Book Today!

(517) 522-6789Book Appointment

Dog

Cat

Vaccinations

Protect your pet from preventable diseases with customized vaccine schedules for every life stage.

Pet Vaccinations: Protecting Your Pet from Preventable Illnesses

Keeping your pet healthy starts with strong prevention—and vaccinations are one of the most important tools we have. Vaccines protect your dog or cat from a range of contagious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy or kitten or your adult pet is due for boosters, staying current on vaccines is essential to their lifelong health.

Why Are Pet Vaccines Important?

Vaccinations work by preparing your pet’s immune system to fight off specific diseases before they ever come into contact with these diseases. Some of these illnesses—like rabies or parvovirus—can be fatal if left untreated. Others can cause chronic discomfort, extended treatment, or put other animals at risk.

Vaccines don’t just protect your pet—they help protect the broader pet community by reducing the spread of disease.

What Vaccines Does My Pet Need?

Vaccine needs vary based on your pet’s species, age, lifestyle, and local disease risks. Here’s a general breakdown:

For Dogs:

  • Core Vaccines: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Leptospirosis

  • Lifestyle-Dependent Vaccines: Bordetella (kennel cough), Canine Influenza

For Cats:

  • Core Vaccines: Rabies, FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)

  • Lifestyle-Dependent Vaccines: Feline Leukemia (FeLV), especially for outdoor or multi-cat households

Your veterinarian will help you build a tailored vaccine schedule based on your pet’s needs and environment.

What to Expect During a Vaccination Appointment

  • Wellness Exam: We start with a head-to-tail checkup to ensure your pet is healthy enough for vaccines.

  • Personalized Plan: Based on age, health, and lifestyle.

  • Quick and Gentle Shots: Most pets tolerate vaccines well. The process is quick and performed with care.

  • Post-Vaccine Monitoring: Mild soreness or sleepiness is normal. We’ll guide you on what to watch for and when to follow up.

We keep detailed vaccine records to ensure your pet stays on track—and help with things like boarding, grooming, or travel documentation.

When Should My Pet Be Vaccinated?

Puppies and kittens typically begin vaccinations at 6–8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks. Adult pets need regular boosters based on the vaccine type—some are annual, others are every 3 years.

Staying on schedule is the best way to keep your pet protected.

Vaccinations are a simple step with a big impact. They prevent illness, reduce long-term costs, and support a longer, healthier life for your pet.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

Latest Blogs

Discover in-depth articles, thought leadership, and expert perspectives curated to inspire, educate, and keep you ahead of the curve in your industry.

Free Trial for Trupanion Pet Insurance

Grass Lake Animal Hospital and Trupanion are offering our clients a 30 day Pet Health Insurance trial. The information below explains everything you need to know about Trupanion's Certificate Program.

Read More

Wash Your Pet's Dishes After Every Single Use, Seriously

Would you eat off the same dirty plate every day? Neither should your pet! Wash their food and water dishes after each use to keep them happy and healthy. Bonus tip: ditch the plastic bowls - they're a breeding ground for bacteria! Got questions? We're just a call or email away.

Read More

Do Pets Get Allergies? True or False?

Did you know that pets can suffer from allergies just like humans? However, unlike humans who show symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes, pets usually exhibit allergic reactions through their skin. This can lead to allergies in pets often being overlooked or misdiagnosed as other illnesses.

Read More

Grass Lake Animal Hospital FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

No, there is no advantage to letting your pet have one litter. However, Grass Lake Animal Hospital advises that there are plenty of advantages to having your pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens. Please discuss any questions you might have about whether to spay or neuter your pet and when to do it with one of our technicians or doctors.

Most procedures involving external skin sutures require them to be removed in 10-14 days following the surgery. Most spays and neuters do not have external skin sutures and do not need to return here at Grass Lake Animal Hospital for suture removal.

This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic of Grass Lake Animal Hospital prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.

Here at Grass Lake Animal Hospital, spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations, negative fecal and up-to-date heartworm tests if appropriate are required at the time of surgery. A pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery. You can find more information in our FAQ about anesthesia.

Payment is required at the time of service. Grass Lake Animal Hospital offers CareCredit as an option for those who need a way to make payments.

Grass Lake Animal Hospital accepts Cash, Check, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.