Vaccines for Dogs
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
What are vaccines?
Vaccines contain viruses, bacteria or other disease-causing
organisms that have been killed or altered so that they can no
longer cause disease. When given to an animal, vaccines will
stimulate the body's immune system to form disease fighting cells
and proteins (known as antibodies) to protect against the
disease. Although the protection afforded by vaccines can be
reduced by poor health and poor nutrition, most vaccinated
animals will be resistant to the disease for which they are
vaccinated.
From what diseases can vaccines protect my pet?
Most veterinarians agree that all dogs and cats should be
vaccinated against those diseases that are widespread, cause
serious illness, and/or are highly contagious (core vaccines). In
addition, other vaccines may be recommended based on the risk
they pose to individual cats or dogs (non-core vaccines).
Core vaccines for dogs:
Canine Distemper - This disease causes respiratory,
gastrointestinal, and neurologic signs in affected dogs and can
be fatal. Recovered dogs may have permanent damage to their
nervous systems. Unvaccinated dogs are at high risk of
contracting this highly contagious disease which is spread by
discharges from the nose and eyes of infected dogs.
Infectious Hepatitis - This virus is caused by a viral agent,
the canine adenovirus, and is spread through infected urine. The
virus may cause liver failure, eye damage and respiratory
problems which can be fatal. Commonly encountered clinical signs
are vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and occasionally
coughing.
Canine Parvovirus - The disease caused by parvovirus is both
serious and widespread in dogs. Signs, which include severe
vomiting and diarrhea with blood, result from the virus damaging
the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is spread through
infected feces and can lead to death in 48 to 72 hours.
Parvovirus infection may also cause bone marrow and heart disease
in dogs.
Canine Parainfluenza Virus - One of the causes of kennel
cough, this respiratory disease is most commonly caused by a
virus. Characteristic features of kennel cough are a hacking
cough, discharge from the nose, and occasional fever.
Non-core vaccines for dogs:
Vaccines are also available to protect individual dogs deemed
to be at risk of developing Bordetellosis, another cause of
kennel cough, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, giardiasis, and
coronavirus infection.
Rabies vaccination in dogs and cats:
Rabies - All mammals, including humans, are at risk of
contracting rabies, which is almost invariably fatal. Rabid pets
may display a "dumb" form which is characterized by
listlessness, weakness and paralysis, or the "furious"
form of rabies characterized by abnormal aggression. In some
parts of Canada, where risk is high, vaccination of dogs and cats
is mandatory.
How are vaccines given?
Most vaccines are given by injection, either into the fat
under the skin, or into the muscle. Some vaccines may be
administered as drops into the nose.
What vaccines does my pet need?
Although some vaccines (core vaccines) are generally
recommended for all dogs and cats, your veterinarian can assist
you in selecting vaccines for your pet based on the unique set of
risks faced by your pet. Some factors to be considered include
the number of pets in the household, exposure to pets or wild
animals out- of-doors, age and health status of your pet, and
travel and kenneling considerations.
It is important to re-evaluate vaccination options with your
veterinarian should your pet's circumstances change.
How often should my pet receive vaccination?
Your veterinarian can assist you in developing a vaccination
protocol suitable for your pet depending on the vaccines he/she
deems necessary. Generally, all pets receive a series of
vaccinations as puppies or kittens that are completed by 6 months
of age, and their first booster is given a year later. How long
vaccination immunity will last in pets is subject to intense
research and debate in the veterinary community at this time and
current protocols may change with time.
Pets age much faster than people in the same amount of time;
an annual check up allows your veterinarian to detect and manage
illnesses, such as dental disease, diabetes, heart problems and
kidney failure, that may develop as your pet ages. Certain breeds
may be predisposed to health problems even at an early age. In
addition, an annual visit gives you an opportunity to discuss
other topics such as behaviour, nutrition, parasite control and
care of your pet.
Are vaccines safe?
Although vaccines must undergo safety trials to receive
licensing in Canada and are considered very safe, vaccines can
still cause reactions in a small number of pets. Most commonly,
dogs or cats will feel tired, may run a fever for 24 to 48 hours
after vaccination, and may not eat. In some cats, a small,
non-painful lump may form at the site where the vaccine was
injected; usually disappearing 4 to 6 weeks later. Rarely, a pet
will develop facial swelling or a severe allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis), accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, breathing
difficulties and collapse. Anaphylactic reactions are rarely
fatal if treated immediately and appropriately.
There is some evidence that vaccines may be implicated in some
immune-mediated disorders in dogs and cats. Vaccines are probably
only one of many causes for these disorders, which are still
uncommon.
What are vaccine-associated sarcomas?
Since 1991, researchers and veterinarians have discovered
life-threatening tumours forming at previous vaccine sites in
cats. Estimated to occur in 1 in 10,000 cats, these tumours have
been most commonly attributed to rabies and feline leukemia
vaccines. New investigations and research are currently looking
at preventing this unfortunate reaction. Any persistent lump
developing in or under the skin of your cat following a
vaccination should be examined by your veterinarian.
Are there alternatives to vaccination?
Despite the occasional risks associated with vaccination, it
is widely accepted that vaccination plays an important role in
protecting pets. However, some owners may wish not to have their
pet vaccinated. For some vaccines, blood samples can provide
evidence of immunity and may indicate that vaccination is not
needed. At this time, not all laboratories are standardized to
allow accurate interpretation of results, nor can immunity to all
diseases be tested this way.
What is the future for pet vaccination?
Vaccines will likely continue to play a very important role in
protecting pets from important diseases. New technologies, such
as recombinant DNA, promise safer and more effective forms of
protection. In addition, vaccine companies will continue to
provide new vaccines for existing or emerging infectious diseases
in pets. Current research into duration of immunity and side
effects from vaccination will assist in developing improved
protocols in the constant battle against infectious disease.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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