Vaccinations

Vaccines help prepare the body's immune system to fight the invasion of disease causing organisms.  Vaccines contain antigens, which look like the disease causing organism to the immune system but don't actually cause the disease.  When a vaccine is introduced to the body, the immune system is mildly stimulated.  If exposed to the real disease, the immune system is now prepared to recognize and fight it off entirely or reduce the severity of the illness.

Canine Vaccines

In 2006, the American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Task Force published a revised version of guidelines regarding canine vaccinations. The guidelines divide vaccines into three categories-core, non-core and not recommended.

• Core vaccines are considered vital to all dogs based on risk of exposure, severity of disease or transmissibility to humans. Canine Parvovirus, Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Rabies are considered core vaccines by the Task Force.
• Non-core vaccines are given depending on the dog’s exposure risk. These include vaccines against Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira bacteria.

Your veterinarian can determine what vaccines are best for your dog.

Canine Combination Vaccines

• DHPP - Distemper/Hepatitis/Parvo/Parainfluenza
• DHLPP - Distemper/Hepatitis/Leptospirosis/Parvo/Parainfluenza
• DHLPPC - Distemper/Hepatitis/Leptospirosis/Parvo/Parainfluenza/Corona

Feline Vaccines

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the Academy of Feline Medicine (AFM) Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines, have developed recommendations for the selection and administration of vaccines for cats.  Feline vaccinations fall into two basic categories-core and ancillary vaccines, or those that are only recommended for a small percentage of cats.

Your veterinarian can determine what vaccines are best for your cat.

Feline Combination Vaccines

• FVCRP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)

Canine and Feline Rabies

Rabies is a virus that may affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including dogs, cats and humans. Though preventable, there is good reason that the word “rabies” evokes fear in people. The disease has been reported in every state except Hawaii, and everywhere throughout the world except for Australia and Antarctica. Annually, rabies causes the deaths of more than 50,000 humans and millions of animals worldwide. Once symptoms appear, the disease results in fatality.

Since animals who have rabies secrete large amounts of virus in their saliva, the disease is primarily passed to dogs through a bite from an infected animal. It can also be transmitted through a scratch or when infected saliva makes contact with mucous membranes or an open, fresh wound. The risk runs highest if your dog-or any pet-is exposed to wild animals. The most common carriers of the rabies virus in this country are bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. In the United States, rabies is reported in cats more than in any domestic species. If there are also cats in your household, it’s important to make sure they are vaccinated and kept indoors.

Canine Distemper

Distemper is an extremely contagious viral infection can be deadly, especially in puppies or in dogs weakened by other illnesses, stress or old age. A dog with distemper generally looks very ill, with runny eyes and nose, coughing and a fever. He will usually also have diarrhea and vomiting. Eventually the disease affects the nervous system, causing seizures, confusion and partial paralysis.

Canine Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a very contagious virus that infects the liver and other internal organs. Often the first sign of hepatitis in a dog is when a cloudy blue layer forms over his eyes. He may show other signs of liver failure as well. The disease is difficult to treat once contracted, and is often fatal.

Canine Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease that both pets and people can get.  It bacteria, not a virus. It can be transmitted through bodily fluids or through the consumption of infected food or water. The first symptoms are fever, aches and pain, but eventually kidney failure sets in, and an infected dog will be extremely thirsty. It can be fatal, but leptospirosis is not a problem in all parts of the country, so some vets recommend against including this in your dog’s routine shots.

Canine Parainfluenza

While it is highly contagious, parainfluenza is not normally deadly and can be successfully treated. The symptoms of coughing, sneezing and a runny nose can make your dog very miserable for awhile, but it will eventually go away.

Canine Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce a life-threatening illness. The virus attacks rapidly dividing cells in a dog's body, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. Parvovirus also attacks the white blood cells, and when young animals are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problem.

Canine Coronavirus

Canine Coronavirus is a contagious intestinal infection that usually produces a mild disease. However, it can be severe in young puppies and dogs who are stressed by concurrent infections. The distribution is worldwide, and dogs of all ages are affected.

Canine Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

There are many different agents that can cause of tracheobronchitis. The most common are parainfluenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma. Canine adenovirus type 2, reovirus, and canine herpes virus are thought to possibly contribute to the disease, as well. Although any one of these organisms can cause symptoms of the disease, the majority of cases are the result of more than one organism.

The most common viral agent is parainfluenza virus. This common virus will cause mild symptoms lasting less than 6 days unless there is involvement of other bacteria, as is usually the case. Most 5-way vaccines and 'kennel cough' vaccines offer some protection against this virus.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacteria isolated from dogs with tracheobronchitis. Clinical signs of infections occur 2-14 days after exposure, and if uncomplicated with other agents, symptoms will last around 10 days. However, after the infection has been resolved, the affected animal will continue to shed the bacteria for 6 to 14 weeks and can spread the disease to other susceptible animals during that time. Bordetella is one of the agents protected against through the use of intranasal 'kennel cough' vaccines. Parainfluenza and Bordetella most commonly appear together in infectious tracheobronchitis, creating a disease that normally lasts from 14-20 days.

Feline Viral Rhinotrachetis

Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), is probably one of the most serious and contagious respiratory infections a cat can contract.  It's caused by a herpes virus that affects the upper respiratory tract and the virus is transmitted in all respiratory secretions.

Feline Calicivirus

Feline calicivirus (FCV), a common viral disease that affects cat, is characterized by upper respiratory symptoms, pneumonia, oral ulceration (sores in the mouth), and occasionally arthritis. It is a fairly mild flu-like condition and rarely causes serious complications.

Feline Panleukopenia

Panleukopenia is a viral disease of cats, and is often called feline distemper. It is highly contagious and can be fatal, especially in young cats.

Feline Leukemia

Feline leukemia virus is a transmittable RNA retrovirus that can severely inhibit a cat’s immune system. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of disease and death in domestic cats.