Why Vaccinate? FAQ and General Information

Vaccinations are a critical component to preventive care for your pet. Thanks to the development of vaccines, dogs have been protected from numerous disease threats, including rabies, distemper, hepatitis and several others. Some of these diseases can be passed from pets to people — so canine and feline vaccinations have protected human health as well. Recently, studies have shown that vaccines protect pets for longer than previously believed. There have also been improvements in the type of vaccines produced. In addition, there is increased awareness and concern that vaccination is not as harmless a procedure as once thought. These factors have led to a growing number of veterinarians who recommend reduced frequency of vaccinations while at the same time tailoring vaccine recommendations to specific risk situations.

Why do Baby Animals Need a Series of Shots and how many do they Need?

When a baby kitten or puppy is born, its immune system is not yet mature; the baby is wide open for infection. Fortunately, nature has a system of protection. The mother produces specific milk in the first few days after giving birth. This milk is called colostrum and is rich in all the antibodies that the mother has to offer. As the babies drink this milk, they will be taking in their mother's immunity. After the first couple of days, regular milk is produced and the baby's intestines undergo what is called closure, which means they are no longer able to take antibodies into their systems. These first two days are critical to determining what kind of immunity the baby will receive until its own system can take over.

How long this maternal antibody lasts in a given puppy is totally individual. It can depend on the birth order of the babies, how well they nursed, and a number of other factors. Maternal antibodies against different diseases wear off after different times. We do know that by 16 to 20 weeks of age, maternal antibodies are gone and the baby must be able continue on its own immune system.

While maternal immunity is in the puppy’s system, any vaccines given will be inactivated. Vaccines will not be able to "take" until maternal antibody has sufficiently dropped. Puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines ending at a time when we know the baby's own immune system should be able to respond. We could simply wait until the baby is old enough to definitely respond as we do with the rabies vaccination but this could leave a large window of vulnerability if the maternal antibody wanes early. To give babies the best chance of responding to vaccination, we vaccinate intermittently (usually every 3 to 4 weeks) during this period, in hope of gaining some early protection.

When a vaccine against a specific disease is started for the first time, even in adult animal, it is best to give at least two vaccinations. This is because the second vaccination will produce a much greater (logarithmically greater) response if it is following a vaccine given 3 to 4 weeks prior.

What Vaccines Should I get for my Pet?

In this area of Central/Southern Ohio it is recommended that all canines be vaccinated for is the Distemper, Adenovirus (types 1 and 2), Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Leptosporosis – all administered in one series of vaccines called DHPP-4L. Also Rabies (RV) and Bordetella (Kennel Cough) are highly suggested for canines as well.

For felines we suggest vaccinating against Feline viral rhinotracheitis, Calici virus, Panleukopenia, and Chlamydia – all administered in one series of vaccines called FVRCP. We also recommend the Rabies (RV) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV) vaccines for felines.

What Vaccines Should I get if my Pet is Indoors almost Completely?

Both the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association have published guidelines for vaccination. Vaccinations are divided into “core” vaccines that every pet should have, and “non-core” vaccines that a pet should have depending on exposure risk.

For cats, core vaccines are the basic distemper shot (FVRCP) and rabies vaccine. Many people are surprised that rabies is a core vaccine and is considered important even for indoor-only cats but when you consider the consequences of rabies exposure (which can certainly happen indoors) and the legal consequences of owning a biting animal (what happens to the animal generally is dependent on its vaccine status), it is not hard to see why this vaccine is important.

For dogs, core vaccines are the basic distemper shot (DHLPP) and the rabies vaccine. Since dogs do go outside for walks, for grooming, to the vet’s office etc. most veterinarians recommend vaccine against kennel cough for canine patients.

Can I give Vaccines Myself?

• It may be difficult for you to properly dispose of the needles.
• If there is any type of acute allergic reaction, you will not be prepared to address it.
• In cats, there are specific guidelines regarding where vaccines should be placed. This makes the process trickier especially with uncooperative cats. You may get bitten. If you do not know where to give each type of vaccine, you could be increasing the risk of vaccine-site tumor formation.
• Facilities requiring proof of vaccination are unwilling to accept your own word that your pet is vaccinated adequately.
• Modified live vaccines are somewhat sensitive to proper storage. They cannot be mixed up in advance and their components must be kept at the proper temperature. This may be difficult depending on how vaccine is transported to your home. Modified live vaccines are sensitive about storage, especially after they are reconstituted. You do not want to use a vaccine that may have been reconstituted perhaps hours before.

Why is a Feline Leukemia Test Required Prior to Vaccination?

The feline leukemia virus has potential to be latent in a carrier cat without any signs of illness, and this carrier state can persist for years. During this time, the cat is contagious and at risk for numerous problems. Many people want to skip the test to save money but, in fact, it is of great importance to know if a cat is harboring this infection. Knowing that a cat is positive allows you to save money by not unnecessarily vaccinating for feline leukemia. Furthermore, if an owner is aware of a cat's positive status, the pet can be kept away from other cats thus preventing the spread of the disease. An owner can prepare financially for expected treatments needed for this cat if the owner is aware of the positive test. We feel strongly that testing is important whenever a new cat is obtained as a pet.

Can Vaccines Hurt my Pet?