WHY DO I NEED TO BRING THEM IN FOR AN EXAM?
This is important because your pet could have an underlying illness or health risk that might make vaccinations unhealthy or even dangerous for your pet. After a physical exam is preformed the veterinarian can then determine if your pet is healthy enough to receive a vaccine or vaccines. They will also look through the history of previous vaccinations to ensure there have not been any adverse reactions to previous vaccines.
Vaccinations are also given based on how old your pet is, which can roughly be determined by your veterinarian. Vaccines should be given every 3-4 weeks from about the age of 6-8 weeks until they reach 16 weeks, which ensures adequate immune response.
HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD MY PET GET VACCINATED?
This is a relative question, which is why it is so important to have a client-patient relationship with your veterinarian. It all depends on the animal, vaccine history, and the type of vaccine it is. Most of these vaccines are yearly in adult animals, BUT it depends on if they have been vaccinated in the past.
For puppies, it is recommending to get boosters every 3-4 weeks for the core vaccines because they are building up their immunity as their mother’s antibodies begin to wear off.
Rabies initial vaccines are bolstered after the first year and then depending on the type it may last for only 1 year or 3 years.
Bordetella is also suggested in young puppies because of the highly infectious nature of the disease, but is only given once and is bolstered every 6 months.
WHAT ARE “CORE” VACCINES?
These are vaccines that veterinarians deem necessary for a particular species in that given area and what your pet needs based on their risk of exposure.
WHAT ARE AVAILABLE VACCINES FOR DOGS?
Here at our clinic we have DHPP with or without Leptospirosis, Rabies, Lyme, and Bordetella.
Rabies is required by law for dogs, cats, and ferrets. This vaccine is required to be given by a licensed veterinary professional and will not be recognized if it is given by anyone other than a licensed veterinary professional.
We will also soon carry the Flu vaccine.
WHAT DO THESE VACCINES FOR DOGS GUARD AGAINST?
Rabies is a fatal disease that can be spread to humans and other mammals by any infected animal through contact with the saliva. Early signs include weakness, fever, agitation, and abnormal behavior.
D: Distemper is disease that causes fever, loss of appetite, dry cough, and diarrhea. This is a nervous system disease that can later lead to seizures and death.
H: Hepatitis is spread through bodily secretions of infected animals and causes liver disease. Common clinical signs include lethargy and loss of appetite, fever, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting blood.
P: Parvovirus is a very contagious disease that can survive a long time in the environment and therefor is quite common in places that see a lot of dog traffic such as dog parks and pet stores. Clinical signs are lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. This is a serious disease that can cause death in puppies and adults.
L: Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be in all mammals, even humans. It is spread through infected urine and is commonly found in water sources. This disease mostly targets the liver and/or kidneys. Clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and jaundice.
P: Parainfluenza is an infectious virus that can cause cough, nasal discharge, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
C: Coronavirus is a gastrointestinal disease that can strike while the dog is infected with other gastrointestinal diseases like parvo. Clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
The above are usually in combination vaccines such as DHPPC, and DHLPP.
Bordetella: This is an upper respiratory disease that is more commonly known as kennel cough. This is a highly contagious disease that is commonly spread in places with a high population of dogs like dog day care, breeders, and grooming salons. The most common clinical sign is a dry, hacking cough.
Lyme: Lyme disease is a tick borne disease that can be in both humans and dogs, usually carried by the blacklegged tick.
Flu: Canine influenza is a disease that is highly contagious and can cause moist coughing, lethargy, decrease in appetite, and fever. Though it is not common in Oklahoma yet, it can be seen in dogs that frequently travel. The last known diagnosis for the H3N2 strain was in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana, and Illinois in May 2017.
WHAT VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CATS?
Here in our clinic we carry both FVRCP and Leukemia vaccines, as well as rabies.
WHAT DO THESE VACCINES GUARD AGAINST IN CATS?
FeLV: Feline Leukemia Virus is a highly contagious disease that is spread through mutual grooming and close contact with infected cats. Some cats don’t exhibit any signs in the early stages of the disease, but clinical signs include weight loss, decreased appetite, and diarrhea.
FVR: Feline viral rhinotracheitis is caused by a herpes virus that causes upper respiratory disease. It is spread through exposure to infected cats (nasal, ocular, and oral secretions) and food/water dishes. Clinical signs of this can include sneezing, runny/watery eyes, and fever.
C: Calici virus can also contribute to feline viral rhinotracheitis with clinical signs being sneezing, runny/watery eyes, and fever. It is also spread through exposure to infected cats (nasal, ocular, and oral secretions) and food/water dishes.
P: Panleukopenia is a very contagious and often deadly viral disease. This disease is spread by infected cats. Clinical signs include diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and listlessness.
WHY SHOULD I GET MY PET VACCINATED WITH THE OTHER VACCINES IF IT ISN’T REQUIRED?
Though only the rabies is required by law, these vaccines are to help prevent your pet from contracting common contagious diseases and to help stop the spread of illnesses. There are no vaccines (including human vaccines) that are proven to be absolutely 100% effective in preventing the disease itself, but these are necessary so that if your pet is exposed to an infected animal then the effects of the disease are usually milder or no clinical signs are experienced.
WHY SHOULD I NOT VACCINATE MY OWN PET OR AT THE BREEDER?
Vaccines must be stored properly, administered in the proper location, and given before their expiration date.
Vaccines are both temperature and light sensitive. Many places where vaccines can be purchased over the counter have them stored in refrigerators that have clear doors. Exposure to light can cause the vaccine components to degrade over time. Getting them done by your veterinary team ensures that the vaccines have been properly stored, both during transport and at the clinic.
Improper placement of the vaccine can also affect its ability to protect against disease. Both veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians are trained on how to properly give vaccines.
Vaccinations have an expiration date. Your veterinary clinic or hospital is routinely checking to ensure that the vaccines are current. Giving an outdated product can result in inadequate immunity against the disease.