Vaccines & Parasite Prevention

Vaccination is one of the safest, most cost-effective tools in veterinary medicine to protect your pet, the wider pet community, as well as human health. We follow current AAHA canine and AAHA/AAFP feline vaccination guidelines, dividing vaccines into core (recommended for essentially every pet) and lifestyle (chosen based on your pet’s real-world risk). Parasite prevention is equally individualized: Calgary’s risk profile is different from other provinces, and your pet’s plan should reflect that.

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Vaccination guidance

Core vs. Lifestyle Vaccines

Comparison criteria	Dogs	Cats
Core (recommended for all)	Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus (DAP), rabies, leptospirosis*	Panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus (FVRCP), rabies; FeLV core for kittens
Lifestyle (risk-based)	Bordetella & parainfluenza (daycare, boarding, dog parks, groomers), Lyme (travel to endemic regions)	FeLV for adult cats with outdoor access or exposure to other cats

Dogs

Core (recommended for all): Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus (DAP), rabies, leptospirosis*
Lifestyle (risk-based): Bordetella & parainfluenza (daycare, boarding, dog parks, groomers), Lyme (travel to endemic regions)

Cats

Core (recommended for all): Panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus (FVRCP), rabies; FeLV core for kittens
Lifestyle (risk-based): FeLV for adult cats with outdoor access or exposure to other cats

*Leptospirosis was elevated to core status for dogs in the 2024 update to the AAHA guidelines; any dog that goes outdoors, urban or rural, can be exposed through wildlife urine in water and soil.

Calgary risk profile

Parasite Prevention

Parasite	Local risk picture	Our approach
Ticks	Ticks are present in Alberta and expanding their range. Most local ticks are Dermacentor species, such as the Rocky Mountain wood tick, rather than the Lyme-carrying black-legged tick, though that species is becoming more common here too. While Lyme disease often gets the most attention, ticks can transmit a range of other diseases, so prevention matters for all pets. This is especially important for trail and acreage dogs, who face greater exposure.	Seasonal tick prevention when temperatures exceed ~4°C; daily tick checks after green spaces; tick submission guidance through Alberta’s surveillance program
Heartworm	Not considered endemic in Alberta; risk is tied to travel (e.g., BC’s Okanagan, Ontario, Manitoba, the U.S.)	Prevention and testing recommended for travelling pets
Intestinal worms & Giardia	Common, especially in puppies, kittens, and dogs frequenting off-leash parks and river pathways; some are transmissible to people	Routine deworming, routine fecal testing, and prompt treatment
Lice, Mites & Fleas	These parasites are year-round risks for pets in Alberta. Though less common here than in warmer climates, they are readily brought into homes and can spread between pets in places like grooming facilities, boarding, and daycare. Because they can live and reproduce indoors, cold winters don’t remove the risk.	Risk-based prevention, particularly for multi-pet homes, travellers, rescues, and pets that visit daycare, boarding, or grooming facilities.

Ticks

Local risk picture: Ticks are present in Alberta and expanding their range. Most local ticks are Dermacentor species, such as the Rocky Mountain wood tick, rather than the Lyme-carrying black-legged tick, though that species is becoming more common here too. While Lyme disease often gets the most attention, ticks can transmit a range of other diseases, so prevention matters for all pets. This is especially important for trail and acreage dogs, who face greater exposure.
Our approach: Seasonal tick prevention when temperatures exceed ~4°C; daily tick checks after green spaces; tick submission guidance through Alberta’s surveillance program

Heartworm

Local risk picture: Not considered endemic in Alberta; risk is tied to travel (e.g., BC’s Okanagan, Ontario, Manitoba, the U.S.)
Our approach: Prevention and testing recommended for travelling pets

Intestinal worms & Giardia

Local risk picture: Common, especially in puppies, kittens, and dogs frequenting off-leash parks and river pathways; some are transmissible to people
Our approach: Routine deworming, routine fecal testing, and prompt treatment

Lice, Mites & Fleas

Local risk picture: These parasites are year-round risks for pets in Alberta. Though less common here than in warmer climates, they are readily brought into homes and can spread between pets in places like grooming facilities, boarding, and daycare. Because they can live and reproduce indoors, cold winters don’t remove the risk.
Our approach: Risk-based prevention, particularly for multi-pet homes, travellers, rescues, and pets that visit daycare, boarding, or grooming facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my pet need all of these vaccines every year?

No. After the initial series, core vaccines are typically boosted every three years rather than annually. Other, non-core vaccines vary depending on the specific vaccine and your pet’s lifestyle, with some requiring more frequent boosters to remain effective. We’ll recommend a schedule tailored to your individual pet.

My cat never goes outside. Why vaccinate?

Core feline viruses are extremely hardy and can hitchhike indoors on shoes, clothing, and other pets; indoor cats also escape more often than owners expect. Rabies vaccination additionally protects your household in case bats, the most common rabies vector in Alberta, find their way inside homes.

Are vaccines safe? What about reactions?

Serious reactions are rare, and guideline bodies consistently conclude the benefits far outweigh the risks for the overwhelming majority of pets. Mild sleepiness or soreness for a day is normal. Ensure to tell us about any past reactions.

Do I need tick prevention in the city?

Ticks are found within city limits, not just in the mountains. River valleys, tall grass, and off-leash areas are typical habitat. Alberta’s tick season is whenever temperatures rise above about 4°C, which, thanks to Chinooks, can mean ticks can be seen during the winter months.

We travel with our dog. What changes?

Travel is the single biggest variable in a Calgary pet’s parasite risk. Depending on where you’re going, your pet may face different exposures, such as heartworm or Lyme disease, that call for additional prevention, testing, or destination-specific advice. A travel consultation can be booked to make specific recommendations for your pet. See our Travel Documents page.