Three Important Words: Vaccine, Vaccination & Immunity

There are three important words that you should know and understand:

VACCINE - the liquid preparation containing the modified or killed disease-causing agent.
VACCINATION - the act of administering the vaccine. In animals, vaccination is usually done by injection.
IMMUNITY - the effect of vaccination, protection from disease. Vaccination tricks the immune system into behaving as if a natural infection were occurring. Newly produced antibodies intercept disease-causing forms of the virus or bacteria. The level of immunity is influenced by several factors such as disease and stress. It is rare that a vaccinated animal will not develop an immunity to diseases.

A Brief History Of Vaccination

Prevention of disease by vaccination was developed in the eighteenth century by Dr. Edward Jenner. Today hundreds of vaccines are available, including those used to prevent diseases of cats, dogs, livestock, and birds.

At What Age Should Your Animal Be Immunized?

Animals, like people, are most susceptible to infectious agents during the first month of life. Newborn animals usually receive protection from antibodies in the mother's milk. To be sure that nursing animals receive this protection, the mother should be immunized before breeding. To maintain and strengthen disease resistance after the antibodies in the mother's milk have been depleted, a series of vaccinations should be administered to young animals from approximately six weeks to six months. Lifetime protection is maintained by annual "booster" vaccinations. There are many effective vaccination schedules and your companion animal is never too old to start a vaccination program. Vaccines are administered under the skin (subcutaneously), in the muscle (intramuscular), or by nasal spray.

Multivalent: a definition

Multivalent - (combination) vaccines are injections that protect against several different diseases. Veterinarians often use this type of vaccine because they provide protection against more than one disease with fewer injections, thereby reducing discomfort to the animal.

RABIES - is a viral disease that can attack the central nervous system of all warm blooded animals, including humans. Once infected, the disease is fatal. In most parts of the United States both dog and cat owners are legally required to have their pets vaccinated against rabies. The disease is transmitted by saliva, which is usually transferred by a bite from an infected animal. The disease is frequently found in wild animals, such as skunks, foxes, raccoons, and bats.

There are two types of rabies -- dumb and furious -- in animals. Both cause a departure from normal behavior. The animal can either become affectionate or withdrawn. Wild animals that are unusually friendly and appear to have no fear of man or domestic animals should be avoided.

The appearance in the neighborhood of an apparently "tame" wild animal should be reported to the police or animal control authorities. Immediately prior to death, animals with furious rabies will have a period where they appear to be "mad" frothing at the mouth and biting anything that gets in their way. Dumb rabies differs in that there is no "mad" period. With dumb rabies, paralysis, usually of the lower jaw, is the first sign of the disease. The paralysis quickly spreads to limbs and vital organs and death quickly follows.

Rabies is dangerous, deadly, but almost totally preventable by vaccination.

Dogs and cats - An initial rabies vaccination should be given when the animal is 3 to 4 months of age. The duration of protection varies from 1 to 3 years. Regular booster vaccinations are required.

It is essential for your health, the health of your pet, and the health of your family and neighbors that your pet's rabies vaccination be kept up-to-date.

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Canine Diseases Requiring Vaccinations

CANINE DISTEMPER
INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS
CANINE PARVOVIRUS (CPV)
CANINE BORDETELLOSIS
CANINE PARAINFLUENZA
CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS

CANINE DISTEMPER

...is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the discharges from an infected dog's eyes and nose. A healthy dog does not need to come in direct contact with an infected dog, because the virus can be carried by air currents and inanimate objects.

Early signs of canine distemper are similar to those of a severe cold and often go unrecognized by the pet owner. The respiratory problems may be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. A nervous system disorder may also develop. The death rate from canine distemper is greater than 50% in adult dogs and much higher in puppies. Even if the dog survives, distemper can cause permanent damage to a dog's nervous system, sense of smell, hearing and sight. Partial or total paralysis is not uncommon.

INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS

...is caused by a virus that can infect many tissues, but usually attacks the liver causing hepatitis. In some instances, a whiteness or cloudiness of the eye may accompany the disease. Another strain of the same virus can cause respiratory tract infections. These viruses are transmitted by contact with objects that have been contaminated with the urine from infected dogs. Infectious Canine Hepatitis is different from human hepatitis.

CANINE PARVOVIRUS (CPV)

...is a serious problem, due to the highly resistant nature of the virus, CPV can withstand extreme temperature changes, and exposure to most disinfectants. The source of the infection is usually dog feces which can contaminate cages, shoes, and can be carried on the feet and hair of infected animals.

This virus attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells and heart muscle. Clinical signs include vomiting, severe diarrhea, accompanied by a loss of appetite, depression, and high fever. Most deaths occur within 48 to 72 hours after the onset of clinical signs. Pups, less than 3 months of age, can experience an inflammation of the heart (myocarditis). Infected pups may act depressed, collapse gasping for breath, and death may follow immediately. Pups that survive are likely to have permanently damaged hearts.

CANINE BORDETELLOSIS (CPV)

...is caused by bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica which is present in the respiratory tracts of many animals. It is a primary cause of the severe chronic cough, tracheobronchitis, (kennel cough). In addition to the cough, some dogs develop a purulent nasal discharge. Transmission most frequently occurs by contact with the nasal secretions of infected dogs.

Vaccination is usually accomplished by the use of nasal spray. There are several effective schedules and methods for administering the vaccine. Your veterinarian will establish a schedule that is best for your dog.

CANINE PARAINFLUENZA (CPV)

...is caused by a virus which produces a mild respiratory tract infection. It is often associated with other respiratory tract viruses. In combination these viruses are usually transmitted by contact with the nasal secretions of infected dogs. The vaccine to protect against this disease may be combined with other vaccines to offer broader protection.

CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS (CPV)

...is a bacterial disease that impairs renal (kidney) function and may result in kidney failure. Clinical signs include vomiting, impaired vision, and convulsions. The disease is transmitted by contact with the urine of infected animals or by contact with objects that have been contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

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Feline Diseases Requiring Vaccinations

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA
FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS, FELINE CALICIVIRUS AND FELINE PNEUMONITIS
FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS


FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA

...(also known as feline infectious enteritis and feline distemper) is caused by a resistant virus that may remain infectious for more than a year at room temperature on inanimate objects. It is transmitted through blood, urine, feces, and nasal secretions, and even by fleas from infected cats. The disease destroys many of the cat's white blood cells. The disease is fatal for 50% to 70% of the cats that have it. Cats with feline panleukopenia seem lethargic, vomit, have a high fever, and are dehydrated. Sickness may go on for 3 to 4 days after the first signs are noticed and before death occurs. Immunity to the disease can be developed by a series of vaccinations administered when the cat is still a kitten followed by annual boosters.

FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS, FELINE CALICIVIRUS AND FELINE PNEUMONITIS

...are diseases of the respiratory tract of cats. Infected animals are highly contagious to other cats and may show either acute or chronic respiratory signs.

FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS

...is a usually fatal disease affecting the cat's immune system. This increases susceptibility to other disease as well as leukemia. Signs of feline leukemia virus include weight loss, recurring or chronic illness, lethargy, fever, diarrhea, unusual breathing patterns, and a yellow color around the mouth and the whites of the eyes. A blood test is necessary to prove that the feline leukemia virus is present.

Until recently, there was no vaccine available to fight this usually fatal disease. A newly developed inactivated virus vaccine can protect cats.

Vaccination Schedules & Recommendations

Vaccination Recommendations: DOGS
Vaccination Recommendations: CATS

Vaccination Schedules

Your veterinarian is the person you should depend on for advice concerning vaccination schedules, boosters, and any precautions to take when having your pet vaccinated. Many vaccine products are approved and available for use. These charts are just a guide. They are not substitutes for a visit to your veterinarian and a discussion of the health needs of your pet.

Your veterinarian is your best source of advice, but you are an important source of information for your veterinarian. Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any special considerations that may have an effect on your pet's ability to respond to vaccines. These special circumstances could include stressful events such as long car trips, exposure to sick animals, and changes in diet, sleeping, elimination, or other habits. Knowledge of these special circumstances, combined with a thorough examination of your pet, will help your veterinarian give your pet the best possible care.

*Check with your veterinarian as to type of vaccine.

*Check with your veterinarian as to type of vaccine.