Vaccinations

Vaccinations are important for all pets. Some infectious diseases are fatal, and vaccinations can protect them from many of these diseases. To be effective, immunizations must be given as a series of injections at prescribed intervals, so it is essential that you are on time for your pet’s scheduled vaccinations. As puppies or kittens, immunizations are started at 6-8 weeks of age and are repeated every 3-4 weeks until they are around 16-20 weeks old. For dogs and cats over 20 weeks of age, their schedule depends on their previous immunization schedule, lifestyle, and exposure risk.

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Canine Vaccinations

This combination vaccine protects against Distemper Virus, Parvovirus, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. The earliest a DAPP vaccination can be given is at 6 weeks of age. A booster vaccination should then be administered every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age (or a total of 3 consecutive vaccinations). Puppies and dogs over 16 weeks of age receiving their first vaccination are recommended to have at least 1 additional booster vaccination.

After the initial series, booster vaccinations are given every year or every 3 years depending on their risk assessment and boarding/grooming requirements.

About:

The most common disease out of the combination is parvovirus. It is transmitted via fecal-oral route and can be fatal in severe cases. It mainly attacks the immune and gastrointestinal system resulting sepsis, dehydration, and shock. The most common signs are lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

Treatment consists of stopping the vomiting and diarrhea, re-hydration, antibiotics (possibly antivirals) and providing adequate nutrition. For best results, pets are usually hospitalized for a minimum of 3-5 days.

Prognosis is usually good if pet shows positive signs of recovery after the 3-5 days.

The earliest a Bordetella vaccination can be given is at 3 weeks of age (intranasal) or 7-8 weeks (oral or injectable). Those receiving the intranasal or intraoral vaccination only require a single initial dose, then a booster every 6 months to a year depending on their risk assessment and boarding/grooming requirements.

Those receiving the injection for their initial dose require a booster in 3-4 weeks, then yearly. (Note: Some boarding facilities still require vaccination every 6 months.)

About Kennel Cough:

Infectious tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) is most commonly seen after a pet has come from a shelter or boarding facility or has had contact with other affected dogs. The disease is highly contagious and is housed and spread via the upper respiratory system. Dogs usually have a harsh, hacking (goose honking) cough +/- nasal discharge. As well, any pressure on the neck (collar/slip lead) or any excitement/exercise may cause a cough or gagging.

Treatment is usually straightforward with cough suppressants +/- 10-14 days of antibiotics. More severe cases (pneumonia) may require hospitalization and intravenous fluids.

The earliest a leptospirosis vaccination is recommended to be given is around 12 weeks of age (some say as early as 8 weeks). The vaccine protects against 4 types (canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae, grippotyphosa, pomona)

Regardless of age, after the initial dose a booster is required in 3-4 weeks, then yearly.

About Leptospirosis:

Leptospirosis vaccination is generally given if it has been determined your pet is in a high exposure risk area. It is generally transmitted via infected urine and moist environments contaminated by infected animals (usually wildlife). If you live close to a wildlife area, go to dog parks or areas where other dogs reside often it is definitely recommended to get the vaccine.

Leptospirosis mainly affects the liver and kidneys and causes fever, sepsis, and anemia. Treatment consists of intravenous fluids, antibiotics (such as penicillin or doxycycline), and possible blood transfusion (if anemia is severe).

Strict isolation and disinfection is warranted in these cases because not only is it contagious to other pets, but can be transmitted to humans as well.

The earliest a rabies vaccination can be given is at 12 weeks of age. Regardless of age, if it's the first time a rabies vaccine has been administered, the booster should be administered in 1 year. Afterwards, the vaccine can be given every year or every 3 years, depending on the vaccine manufacturer and your local regulations.

*Rabies vaccination is required by law and can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Please check with your local county Animal Control for any additional requirements.

About Rabies:

Rabies is a severe, fatal viral disease that attacks the nervous system. It is usually transmitted through an infected bite wound of a rabid animal. Signs include changes in attitude - solitude; apprehension, nervousness, anxiety; unusual shyness or aggression. They may also drool excessively, show in-coordination/paralysis, or inability to swallow. There is no treatment/cure for rabies at this time. Humane euthanasia followed by testing of the brain are is the most common method to confirm diagnosis.

The earliest an influenza vaccination can be given is recommended at 12 weeks of age (some say as early as 8 weeks). Due to previous outbreaks in boarding and daycare facilities around the US, most are requiring this vaccine prior to admission.

Regardless of age, after the initial dose, a booster is required in 3-4 weeks, then yearly.

About Canine Influenza:

As with Bordetella (most common cause of kennel cough in dogs), it is most commonly seen after a pet has come from a shelter or boarding facility or has had contact with other affected dogs. The disease is also highly contagious and is housed and spread via the upper respiratory system. But unlike, Bordetella virtually all dogs are susceptible to the disease, symptoms can be more severe, and spreads more easily to the lungs causing pneumonia.

In addition to the usual harsh, hacking (goose honking) cough and nasal discharge, they can also develop a fever. Still, any pressure on the neck (collar/slip lead) or any excitement/exercise may cause a cough or gagging.

For those with mild symptoms, outpatient treatment is usually recommended (due to contagious nature and wanted to prevent hospital-wide contamination) with 10-14 days of antibiotics and cough suppressants. More severe cases (pneumonia) require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and possible nebulization.

Feline Vaccinations

This combination vaccine protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) caused by feline herpesvirus-1, respiratory disease caused by feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline panleukopenia (FPL) caused by feline parvovirus (FPV). The earliest an FVRCP vaccination can be given is at 6 weeks of age. A booster vaccination should then be administered every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Kittens receiving their first vaccination between 16-20 weeks are recommended to have at least 1 additional booster vaccination. Cats greater than 6 months of age when receiving their initial dose only require a single vaccination.

After the initial series, booster vaccinations are given every year or every 3 years depending on their risk assessment and boarding/grooming requirements.

About:

Each disease is usually transmitted via other infected cats and contaminated environments. Herpesvirus and calicivirus cause upper respiratory signs (sneezing and nasal discharge), as well as conjunctivitis and ulcerations around the head and mouth. Panleukopenia causes lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and in some cases can affect the brain causing incoordination.

Treatment for upper respiratory signs usually consist of antibiotics and eye ointments. More severe cases require hospitalization. Those infected with herpesvirus commonly have occasional flare ups during the course of their lives but may be prevented with immune boosters (L-lysine) and antivirals.

For Panleukopenia, treatment consists of stopping the vomiting and diarrhea, re-hydration, antibiotics (possibly antivirals) and providing adequate nutrition.

In each case, prognosis is usually good if pet shows positive signs of recovery after the 3-5 days.

The earliest a leukemia vaccination is recommended to be 9 weeks of age. Regardless of age, after the initial dose a booster is required in 3-4 weeks, then every 2 years for cats at low risk of infection and yearly for cats at higher risk. All kittens should receive at least one initial dose and booster even if they are indoor-only cats because of their susceptibility to the disease.

A recommendation for leukemia vaccination is generally given if your cat goes outdoors at any time during the day. It is generally transmitted via body fluids, including saliva, feces, milk and urine. Transmission occurs through sustained close contact among cats. Behaviors such as mutual grooming, sharing of food and water bowls and litter boxes, and fighting can contribute to transmission, primarily via saliva.

About Feline Leukemia:

Leukemia virus suppresses the immune system making infected cats more susceptible to secondary diseases and well as causing the formation of tumors (lymphosarcoma).

Quarantine from other cats, managing any secondary infections that appear, as well as a good nutrition and routine care is the best way to care for these cats. However those that are persistently, severely affected usually pass within 2-3 years after infection.

*Rabies vaccination is required by law and can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Please check with your local county Animal Control for any additional requirements.

About Rabies:

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