VACCINATIONS

The use of routine vaccinations in our pets have greatly decreased the incidence of once common infectious diseases. Vaccinations are generally safe and effective yet they can cause rare adverse effects such as allergic reactions, immune-mediated diseases and, in cats, vaccine site malignant tumors called vaccinosarcomas.Because of these adverse reactions the veterinary community has looked intensively into vaccination protocols and the standard of care is to administer only the vaccines needed for an individual pet and at less frequent intervals.

Vaccinations are divided into core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are administered to all pets to protect against serious disease. For dogs this includes distemper, canine hepatitis,  parvovirus and rabies. For cats, panleukopenia (commonly called feline distemper), herpesvirus and calicivirus (upper respiratory infections) and rabies. For ferrets, canine distemper (to which they are very susceptible) and rabies. Non-core vaccines include bordetella/parainfluenza (kennel cough), lyme disease and leptospirosis for dogs; feline leukemia and chlamydia in cats. Non-core vaccines are given only to pets at risk for these diseases.

Current protocols for core vaccines include a series of vaccinations to puppies and kittens, boosters in one year and then boosters every three years. Alternatively for distemper and parvovirus in dogs, and panleukopenia/upper respiratory infections in cats we can perform blood tests, called vaccine titers, which allows us to determine the immune status of an individual and the need for vaccination at that time. Studies have shown a minimum duration of immunity for these vaccines of at least three years. Rabies vaccine must be given on a routine basis to dogs, cats and ferrets as required by law unless there is a medical reason it cannot be given. We use a vaccine approved for 3 years in dogs. Rabies vaccine for cats are available in 1 year and 3 year forms. The concern in cats is the formation of vaccinosarcomas at vaccination sites. Most research points to the presence of adjuvant in the vaccine as the main potential cause for these tumors. Adjuvants are chemical substances added to killed virus vaccines to help stimulate immunity. Apparently the adjuvant also causes inflammation at the injection site. It is this inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals that leads to tumor development. Non-adjuvanted vaccines do not cause this inflammation and are not likely to cause tumor development. We recommend the 1 year non-adjuvanted vaccine for cats. A 3 year vaccine is available, but it does contain adjuvant. Many feline infectious disease specialists recommend administering the 1 year non-adjuvanted vaccine rather than the 3 year adjuvanted vaccine to greatly diminish the incidence of these tumors. Rabies vaccines for ferrets are only labelled for one year at this time.

Non-core vaccines are given to individual pets depending on risk. Kennel cough vaccines (bordetella) are given to dogs entering boarding kennels, doggie day care, dog shows and grooming parlors based on requirements of these facilities. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can cause serious kidney and/or liver disease in dogs. The bacteria is transmitted in the urine of infected dogs and certain wild animal species and accumulates in ponds, lakes, streams, wetlands and large puddles during warm weather. Dogs who swim alot, spend alot of time outdoors and are exposed to wetlands or areas of water accumulation are at risk for this disease. Unlike viral vaccines bacterial vaccines, such as bordetella and leptospirosis, confer shorter term immunity and must be boostered every year.

Feline leukemia vaccines are recommended for cats who go outdoors or cats who live in households where other cats go outdoors. The virus is transmitted primarily through close contact with saliva of infected cats through mutual grooming and shared food and water bowls. We use a new transdermal vaccine, which shoots vaccine particles  through intact skin without the use of a needle. It is also a non-adjuvanted vaccine. This greatly reduces the incidence of vaccinosarcomas developing. Cats get a series of two vaccines, a one year booster and then boosters every three years. Chlamydia is a bacteria-like organism that causes upper respiratory infections in cats and occurs primarily in shelters and breeding facilities.We do not administer this vaccine due to the relatively mild nature of the illness and the rarity of it in our pet population.

What about lyme disease? We have chosen not to vaccinate for lyme disease. We know that a significant majority of dogs in our area are exposed to lyme disease through deer tick bites. Most show up positive on routine testing yet remain asymptomatic (show no symptoms). Studies reveal that only about 5% of infected dogs develop signs of illness (fever, lethargy, inappetance and one or more swollen painful joints causing lameness). We do not recommend testing dogs unless they have symptoms that are compatible with lyme disease. The disease responds rapidly to routine antibiotic therapy and rarely recurs or causes chronic problems. One possibly serious manifestation of lyme disease is an immune-mediated kidney disease called glomerulonephritis.  Lyme disease has not been definitively proven to cause this syndrome and vaccination does not appear to protect against it, as vaccination may cause the same immune stimulation as natural disease. In lieu of vaccination we feel tick control is very important. Besides lyme disease, deer ticks carry several other organisms that can cause more serious disease, such as ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and bartonellosis. There are no vaccines available to prevent these diseases so tick control is the most effective way to minimize exposure.

Please discuss with our veterinarians the vaccines recommended for your pet.