Pet Health: A Guide to Pet Vaccines

Pet parents know that furbabies​ are often as prone to illness as humans are. Good pet health requires that our animals be vaccinated against harmful diseases like rabies and distemper, as well as other lesser-known maladies. If you’re new to pet ownership, it can be difficult to know how to take care of a pet.

Use this guide to navigate the world of animal immunizations and ensure that your dog or cat stays happy and healthy. Keep in mind that local and countrywide laws determine which vaccines are mandatory for pets living in the area.

Core and Non-Core Vaccines

All vaccines given to dogs fall into one of two categories: Core and Non-Core. Core vaccines are the ones vets recommend should be given to all dogs when they are puppies. These vaccines provide protection against dangerous viral diseases, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus (canine hepatitis). Non-core vaccines are bacterial vaccines, and they are given to protect against bordatella, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, canine influenza, parainfluenza and adenovirus intranasal. Vets may recommend non-core vaccines (or not), based on your pet’s lifestyle.

A few things to consider before getting your furry friend vaccinated:

  • Age of the animal: A young pup may struggle with vaccine side effects. In case of older animals, the immune system is often compromised, and so vets may not be in favor of administering a non-core vaccine.
  • Allergy: If your pet is allergic to a specific vaccine ingredient, the vet may choose to not administer that particular vaccine,
  • Health: Vaccination puts a strain on the body and immune system. Therefore, if your pet is recovering from surgery, illness or any kind of medical treatment, it is best to wait a while before vaccinating.

Dogs and Cats: Rabies and Distemper

Immunizations against rabies are vitally important to pet health. Most immunizations guard against rabies for about one year. Shots are available in doses that protect pups against rabies for more than three years. However, these tend to be more expensive. Rabies is also a concern for cat owners, as rabies occurrences in cats have increased dramatically within the past few years. In the United States, rabies is reported more in cats than in any other domestic species (yes, dogs included).

The AAHA considers the distemper vaccine as mandatory for dogs. Canine distemper will impact your pup’s nervous, digestive, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, plus it is contagious among canines. The best way to prevent infection is to have your pup routinely immunized. Feline distemper (also called feline panleukopenia) is similar to its canine-inhabiting counterpart, and used to be the leading killer of domesticated cats. Thanks to vaccination becoming a priority for cat parents, the disease is now relatively uncommon. However, vaccination is still strongly urged due to the fatal nature of the illness.

Dogs: Parvo, Leptospirosis and Bordetella

Canine parvovirus is a viral disease that is highly contagious among dogs. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are at most risk from this disease. It causes gastro-intestinal disorders in dogs, often causing death within 48 to 72 hours after the onset of clinical symptoms. Parvo is also very common; it is one of the most prevalent diseases found in animal shelters. Puppies should be given a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, even if they may have received a dose or more earlier. In case of adult dogs, pet owners need to ensure that the vaccinations are up to date.

Two other frequently touted vaccines are those for leptospirosis and bordetella. These two vaccines, however, are not considered “core” vaccines by the AAHA. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted not only between dogs, but also to humans and other animals. Leptospires (the bacteria associated with the disease) spread through the infected host’s body, reproducing in the organs, urine and kidneys.

The parvovirus vaccine is typically given as a 4-way or 5-way vaccine (DHPP or DHLPP), standing for Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), Leptospira, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus. The first dose is given when the pup is six weeks old, and subsequent doses are given in 2- or 4-week intervals until the animal is 16 weeks of age. A booster shot is administered after a year, and then at three-year intervals.

Cats: Feline Calicivirus, Herpes and Leukemia Virus

The American Veterinary Medical Association considers feline calicivirus and feline herpes virus to be responsible for more than 80 percent of respiratory infections in cats. In fact, almost all cats are exposed to these viruses at some point in their lives. Getting your cat vaccinated against these illnesses will likely lessen symptoms, should the cat become infected.

Feline leukemia virus is currently the leading viral killer within the cat population. Because it easily spreads between felines, it’s best to have your pet protected against this malady, especially if s/he is exposed to the outdoors or other furry friends on a regular basis.

Consult your pet’s veterinarian to determine the best vaccination plan for your furbaby, and stay up-to-date on it. This will go a long way in ensuring that your pet lives a long, healthy life.

Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash

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