Vaccines

Dog protocols

Core Vaccines – These vaccines are recommended for every dog regardless of lifestyle.

Rabies – This disease is fatal in all mammals including humans. This disease is commonly spread by skunks in our region but can also be carried by bats. The virus is carried in the saliva of an infected animal with the common transmission being via bite wounds. Because of the potential risk to humans, all dogs and cats are required by State law to be vaccinated. Because of the increased risk to our valued employees, all dogs and cats are required to be vaccinated to be seen on an ongoing basis at our hospital.
This vaccine is typically given around 14 to 16 weeks of age. Boostered at 1 year and then every 3 years thereafter.

Distemper Combination – This is a four in one vaccine combination that includes protection against canine distemper virus, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza often referred to as “distemper”. Canine distemper virus is a dangerous and highly contagious viral disease transmitted by contact with infected animals. This virus causes respiratory and neurologic disease and can be fatal. It is most often contracted by close encounters with infected dogs or raccoons. Adenovirus is a virus that causes severe liver disease. Parvovirus is a virus that infects the intestine and bone marrow. It causes severe debilitating diarrhea and dehydration as well as suppression of the immune system. It often results in long-term hospitalization and even death. Parainfluenza virus causes an upper respiratory infection that leads to severe coughing and in some cases, life-threatening pneumonia.

The Distemper combination vaccine is typically started around 6 to 8 weeks of age and boostered every 3 to 4 weeks. Two doses need to be given in series after 12 weeks of age to ensure protection. It is then booster at 1 year and then every 3 years thereafter.

Lyme/Leptospirosis – Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete bacteria transmitted by the deer tick. It can cause severe illness including fever and painful even debilitating joint swelling and lameness. There are also more severe forms that can cause kidney disease that can lead to life threatening protein loss. Historically we have seen several severe cases of lyme nephropathy (kidney disease) that have resulted in death so we take this very seriously and recommend the vaccine for all dogs. Less often, dogs can develop neurologic symptoms from Lyme disease as well. Leptospirosis is another bacteria transmitted by wildlife in their urine. Your dog can contract it by exploring stagnant water or puddles on a path. Dogs with leptospirosis can have severe, even life threatening, kidney and liver disease and neurological problems. If your dog contracts the bacteria they will start shedding it in their urine and humans can contract the disease. Humans get very ill. We heard of veterinarian who was on a ventilator for 2 weeks after contracting leptospirosis.
This vaccine is typically started after 12 weeks of age and a booster needs to be given after 3 to 4 weeks for full protection. It is boostered annually.

Optional Vaccine – based on risk/exposure/lifestyle

Bordetella (or kennel cough) – This is a combination intranasal vaccine. This vaccine protects a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica and the viruses …. That contribute to infectious tracheobronchitis or “kennel cough”. This is a highly infectious upper respiratory disease that leads to a severe cough and possibly pneumonia.

Canine Influenza –

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Cat protocols

Core Vaccines – These vaccines are recommended for every cat regardless of lifestyle

Rabies – This disease is fatal in all mammals including humans. This disease is commonly spread by skunks in our region but can also be carried by bats. The virus is carried in the saliva of an infected animal with the common transmission being via bite wounds. Because of the potential risk to humans, all dogs and cats are required by State law to be vaccinated. Because of the increased risk to our valued employees, all dogs and cats are required to be vaccinated to be seen on an ongoing basis at our hospital.
Our hospital uses a special feline rabies vaccination that helps to reduce the incidence of vaccine induced tumors. This vaccination is typically given around 14 to 16 weeks of age and then every year after that.

Distemper Combination – This is a three in one vaccine combination that includes feline panleukopenia, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis. Feline panleukopenia is commonly referred to as “feline distemper” and is a parvovirus which is dangerous and highly contagious among unvaccinated cats. This virus causes lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatal neurologic disease. Cats in barns, feral colonies, animal shelter groups, pet stores, and rescue facilities are at high risk for outbreaks. Calicivirus causes oral ulcers, pneumonia, joint pain and severe inflammation of multiple organs that can lead to death. Rhinotracheitis, also called feline herpes virus 1, is found to be the cause of 80-90% of feline viral upper respiratory disease. This virus can also affect the eyes, sometimes causing severe lesions on the surface of the eyes that need lifelong treatment.

This vaccine is typically started around 6 to 8 weeks of age and is boostered every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Two does need to be given in the series after 12 weeks of age to ensure adequate protection. This vaccine is then boostered 1 year later and then every 3 years to maintain protection.

Optional Vaccine – based on risk/exposure/lifestyle

Feline Leukemia – This virus can invade any tissue of the body and can directly cause severe illness but also causes illness indirectly because it suppresses the body’s immune system. This virus is the cause of more cat deaths than any other organism and is very widespread. Infected cats can spread this virus to other cats through their saliva by licking the eye, mouth, and nose membranes of other cats, or by biting. The virus can also be passed from mother to developing kittens during pregnancy.
We recommend testing all cats for this disease, with a simple in-house blood test and then vaccinating based off of exposure risk.
We recommended the Feline Leukemia vaccine for all cats going outdoors, or if they have exposure to other cats that are going outdoors. This vaccine is typically started around 12 weeks of age and is boostered 3 to 4 weeks later. This vaccine is then boostered yearly to maintain protection.