Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital

Vaccinations De-Mystified

Vaccinations are a critical component to preventive care for your dog or cat.  Dogs and cats are now protected from numerous disease threats, including rabies, distemper, hepatitis and more. Some of these diseases can be passed from pets to people — so the vaccinations that we recommend protect you and your family’s health as well. Improvements in the type of vaccines produced have significantly increased their efficacy while reducing the rate of vaccine reactions.  At Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital, we tailor a vaccine protocol to your pet based on his or her individual exposure risks. However, there are certain “core” vaccinations, such as rabies and distemper, that are almost always a necessity no matter what your pet’s lifestyle.

Most vaccines are given in the puppy and kitten booster series and are then followed by boosters every 1 to 3 years.

Rabies (Dogs and Cats)

Any warm-blooded animal – including dogs, cats, human, wildlife, and livestock – can become infected with the rabies virus. Most states require vaccination of all dogs and cats for the rabies virus due to the fact that it is zoonotic, or can be passed to humans. Having a mostly or even completely indoor pet does not eliminate the risk. Indoor cats can be exposed to rabies, often by wildlife (especially bats) entering the house.

The rabies virus attacks nerve tissue, developing  slowly over 10 days to several months. Symptoms of infections include withdrawal and avoidance of other people and animals. Some infected animals become unusually aggressive and may attack. Death always occurs once a rabies-infected animal shows signs of disease.

Rabies mostly exists in wildlife (i.e. raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats) and is spread by bite wounds or exposure to the saliva of infected animals. Any unvaccinated cat involved in a fight with a wild animal or found with wounds from an unknown animal encounter should be suspect for rabies exposure.

Cat Vaccines

FVCRP (Distemper Combination Vaccination): Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia

Respiratory disease is easily passed from one cat to another by droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing and is common in cats from shelters. Symptoms of respiratory disease include watery or sticky discharge from the nose and eyes, nose and mouth sores, inflamed eyes, and fever. Most of these symptoms are caused by one of two viruses – feline viral rhinotracheitis or feline calicivirus. Rhinotracheitis tends to be more severe and can cause abortions in pregnant cats. Panleukopenia, or feline parvo, is an intestinal disease, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus are two common viruses in cats. Infection can be from mother to kitten (usually just with FeLV) or from exposure to another infected cat (both FeLV and FIV). Both viruses affect cats by interfering with the immune system, leaving it unable to fight off other infections. While some cats can successfully fight off an infection with one of these viruses, most cats that become infected will eventually die from a virus-related disease. The vaccines for FeLV and FIV are effective and are highly recommended for all kittens. In adult cats we assess the risk of infection assess the need for boosters.  Cats at higher risk may get annual boosters.

Dog Vaccines

Corona Virus and DHPP (Distemper Combination): Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvo 

Symptoms of the Canine Distemper Virus are diarrhea, fever, respiratory disease, seizures, muscular twitches, and discharge from the eyes and nose. Rigid vaccine protocols have significantly lowered the occurance of the distemper virus; however, it is still seen in unvaccinated animals, particularly from shelters and in puppies.

Canine Hepatitis is a disease common to young and unvaccinated animals. The virus attacks organs throughout the dog’s body producing fever, respiratory disease, enlarged lymph nodes, and abdominal pain.

Parainfluenza Virus causes respiratory disease. It usually is not life threatening unless pneumonia develops. It is one of the organisms implicated in “Kennel Cough”.

Parvo and Corona Viruses cause severe intestinal problems in dogs. Infected individuals have bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and become quite depressed and dehydrated quickly. While yearly boosters are given for the parvovirus, we only vaccinate puppies for the coronavirus during the initial puppy vaccination series.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterium that affects the kidneys and is found in the environment via the urine of livestock and wildlife, especially raccoons. ALL dogs are at risk unless they do not leave the house ever. Typically, exposure occurs when a raccoon or opossum urinates on your lawn and then a dog sniffs or eats the infected grass. Leptospirosis is transmissible to humans.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

Bordetella is the principle organism involved with Kennel Cough. Transmission usually occurs when dogs are housed together in close proximity such as in a boarding kennel, grooming parlor, or at a dog show. Symptoms include a dry hacking cough that can persist for days or even weeks. While we recommend this vaccine to all dogs, it is especially important for dogs that frequent grooming facilities, boarding facilities, dog parks, or other places at which your dog has contact with other dogs.

Canine Influenza

Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) causes a respiratory infection in dogs that is often referred to as canine influenza. CIV is a relatively new virus, so almost all dogs are susceptible to infection when they are newly exposed because they have not built up natural immunity. CIV often leads to pneumonia and sometimes death. Exposure is similar to Bordetella, so dogs that have frequent contact with other dogs are at a higher risk for the disease and should be vaccinated yearly.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial disease caused by the organism Borrelia burgdorferi.  It is usually transmitted via the the deer tick, but has also been isolated from the common brown dog tick seen in the Southern Tier. Clinical signs include pain and lameness, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and depression.