Evidence-based vaccinations for dogs & cats
Your pet's vaccine plan should match their species, age, lifestyle, and where they live — not a one-size-fits-all schedule. We follow WSAVA 2024 guidance, flag leptospirosis as core in Thailand, and help expat owners plan rabies travel certificates. Book a consult and we will walk through the specifics together.
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Core vs non-core vaccines
Vaccines are usually grouped into core (every dog or cat in the region should have them) and non-core (given based on lifestyle, environment, or travel). We follow WSAVA 2024 Vaccination Guidelines as the primary reference, with AAFP 2020 guidance layered in for cats. The tables below summarise the common vaccines seen in our clinic — cadence is hedged because puppy, kitten, senior, and reaction-history pets all vary. The exact plan for your pet is decided together at the consult.
Leptospirosis is core for dogs in Thailand
Southeast Asia carries around 38.9 percent of the global leptospirosis burden, and infection can pass from dogs to people. Under WSAVA 2024 regional guidance for endemic areas, we treat the leptospirosis vaccine as core for dogs in our region. Coverage depends on which serovars are in the product we use — we will walk through that at your consult.
WSAVA 2024 core and non-core vaccines — Dogs
Core canine vaccines typically include distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus (DAP or DAPPi) and rabies. Leptospirosis is classified as non-core in the WSAVA global document but is core in Thailand under the WSAVA regional adaptation for Southeast Asia, where leptospirosis is endemic. Non-core canine vaccines are considered when the dog boards, trains in groups, or travels to at-risk areas.
| Vaccine | Classification | Typical cadence (hedged — owner confirms) |
|---|---|---|
| Canine distemper + adenovirus + parvovirus (DAP / DAPPi) | Core | Typical per WSAVA 2024: puppy series through ~16 weeks, booster at 12 months, then a booster typically every 3 years for most adult dogs. |
| Rabies | Core | Typical per Thai regulation and WSAVA: first dose in the puppy series, then an annual schedule is common in Thailand; travel destinations often require specific cadence and a titre — confirm at consult. |
| Leptospirosis | Core in Thailand (WSAVA regional adaptation for endemic SE Asia) | Typical: two-dose primer 2 to 4 weeks apart, then annual booster. Serovar coverage depends on the product used in clinic. |
| Bordetella (kennel cough) | Non-core (situational — boarding, grooming, training groups) | Typical: annual; some boarding facilities request a 6-month booster or a dose within a set window before check-in. |
| Canine parainfluenza / canine influenza | Non-core (situational — dogs in group settings) | Typical: annual; often bundled with bordetella where appropriate for the dog's lifestyle. |
| Lyme disease (Borrelia) | Non-core (not commonly used in Thailand — consider if travelling to endemic regions) | Typical: two-dose primer then annual; only recommended when travel or habitat puts the dog in a Lyme-endemic area. |
WSAVA 2024 core and non-core vaccines — Cats
Core feline vaccines typically include feline parvovirus, feline herpesvirus-1, and feline calicivirus (FVRCP) plus rabies. Per the WSAVA 2024 update reflecting AAFP 2020 advisory, FeLV is recommended as core for all kittens and for adult cats with outdoor access or multi-cat exposure. Non-core feline vaccines are considered based on household size, outdoor access, and travel.
| Vaccine | Classification | Typical cadence (hedged — owner confirms) |
|---|---|---|
| FPV + FHV-1 + FCV (FVRCP) | Core | Typical per WSAVA 2024: kitten series through ~16 weeks, booster at 12 months, then at least every 3 years for most adult indoor cats. |
| Rabies | Core | Typical per Thai regulation and WSAVA: first dose in the kitten series, annual or as required for travel — confirm the exact cadence for your cat at the consult. |
| Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) | Core for kittens and for outdoor-access adult cats (WSAVA 2024 per AAFP 2020 advisory); non-core for indoor-only adults | Typical: test first, then two-dose primer 3 to 4 weeks apart, followed by annual or longer intervals based on lifestyle. |
| Chlamydophila felis | Non-core (situational — multi-cat households with history, breeder environments) | Typical: annual when used. |
Thailand-specific — leptospirosis and rabies travel certificates
Two Thailand-specific points matter for most owners. First, leptospirosis: Southeast Asia carries roughly 38.9 percent of the global leptospirosis burden, and the infection is zoonotic, so we treat the vaccine as core for dogs in our area per WSAVA regional guidance. Second, rabies travel certificates: if you are planning to relocate your dog or cat to the EU, UK, US, or another destination, rabies vaccination records, microchip timing, and in many cases a titre test and government health certificate are required. We help coordinate the clinical side — the Thai Department of Livestock Development (DLD) issues the export permit and final health certificate, which is a separate owner-arranged step. Start the travel conversation at least 4 to 6 months before your move.
When to start, when to titer, when to delay
Puppy and kitten series are typically started around 6 to 8 weeks with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks, then a 12-month booster — exact timing depends on maternal antibodies, product choice, and health status. For adult dogs and cats already through their primary series, WSAVA 2024 supports antibody titre testing as an alternative to automatic annual boosters for several core vaccines (not rabies, which is legally tied to local regulation). We may recommend delaying a vaccine if your pet is unwell, very young, pregnant, or on certain immunosuppressive medications. These are all judgement calls made with the owner on the day — we do not run automatic schedules.
Which vaccines does my dog or cat actually need?
The honest answer is: it depends on species, age, lifestyle, travel plans, and vaccination history. At the consult we review WSAVA core vaccines, confirm whether non-core vaccines fit your pet's situation, and write out a specific plan together. The tables on this page are a starting point, not a prescription.
Is the annual booster really necessary, or can we titer-test?
WSAVA 2024 supports antibody titre testing as a way to confirm protective immunity for several core vaccines in dogs and cats before automatically re-boosting. Rabies is a special case because it is tied to local regulation, so we follow Thai rules there. For DAP or FVRCP specifically, a titre can sometimes let us space out boosters — ask us about it at the consult.
Is rabies vaccine required in Thailand for travel?
Rabies vaccination is core for dogs and cats in Thailand and is required for travel out of the country. Destination rules vary — the EU, UK, US, and Australia each have specific microchip timing, titre window, and waiting-period requirements. We handle the clinical side; the Thai Department of Livestock Development (DLD) issues the export permit and final health certificate, which is a separate step you arrange. Please give us 4 to 6 months of lead time where possible.
What is leptospirosis and why is it core here?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through contact with water, soil, or urine contaminated by infected animals. It is endemic in Southeast Asia — the region accounts for roughly 38.9 percent of global cases — and it is zoonotic, meaning it can pass from dogs to humans. For those reasons we treat the dog vaccine as core under WSAVA regional guidance, while acknowledging serovar coverage depends on the product used.
My pet had a reaction last time — what do you do differently?
First we review what happened — when, which vaccines, and how severe. Depending on the history we may space vaccines out, give one at a time rather than a combined dose, pre-medicate, choose a different product, or in some cases check a titre instead of re-vaccinating. We take reaction histories seriously and will not just repeat the same schedule that caused a problem.
How long should I wait between vaccines?
For puppies and kittens the typical spacing inside the primary series is 3 to 4 weeks between boosters until around 16 weeks of age. For adult pets receiving different vaccines on the same visit, we often either give them together if the product label supports it, or space them out by 2 to 4 weeks when the pet has a reaction history or is stressed. We will confirm the specific spacing at the consult.
Can you do vaccinations as part of a wellness visit?
Yes — if a wellness exam confirms your pet is healthy on the day, we can give due vaccines in the same visit, which is often the most practical option. If a pet is unwell, very young, on certain medications, or has a recent reaction history, we will recommend vaccinating separately so the exam and the vaccine decision can each get proper attention.