Let's cover this complex subject by answering to these basic questions: what, how, why, which, when an where to vaccine.
WHAT IS A VACCINE?
It is a preparation aimed to improve our immunity against a disease. It contains the whole agent, or part of it, that provokes the disease we want to get immuned.
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HOW DOES IT WORK?
You may wonder if we vets are mad because we inject the same virus or bacteria that will make our pet sick, and why they don't develope the disease. The trick is injecting this agent once it is dead (killed vaccines) or badly wounded (attenuated vaccines).
Our pet's "army" will detect this enemies called antigens, and will produce specific soldiers or white blood cells (WBC) that knows how to attack and destroy this antigens by producing special antibodies against them.
Our pet's "army" will detect this enemies called antigens, and will produce specific soldiers or white blood cells (WBC) that knows how to attack and destroy this antigens by producing special antibodies against them.
WHY SHOULD I VACCINE MY PET?
Because your pet will overcome and survive to dangerous disease if he or she has "soldiers" and antibodies ready to fight the enemy antigen, in case your pet gets infected. On the contrary, there is a real risk of your pet's immune system not being able to produce antibodies before the virus or bacteria affects or kills your pet.
WHICH VACCINES SHOULD MY PET HAVE?
The answer will depend on your pets life style and the laws. Some countries, like the UK have never had a single case of rabies and, therefore, pets are normally vaccinated against rabies when they travel abroad, if only for legal reasons.
In DOGS, there is a very high risk of parvovirosis, and high risk of canine distemper all over the world, dogs get the infection from the environment, and it is estimated to be fatal in 50 to 80% of cases. Canine hepatitis infection generally happens through direct contact with infected urine, therefore, any public area is a risk. Although it is generally not fatal, liver function is compromised. Kennel cough and canine parainfluenza are both highly contagious but hardly ever fatal. Contrary to general opinion, kennel cough is a condition that is usually caught anywhere but in kennels, as most of them will not accept no vaccinated animals. Leptospirosis bacteria live in stagnant or shared waters, rats and wild animals. It may be mortal in young dogs, or leave sequels in liver or kidneys.
In CATS, panleukopenia, or feline distemper is a worldwide, highly contagious and mortal disease, that persists in a conttaminated environment for months. Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus are responsible of 80-90% of upper respiratory track diseases. They are usually not serious, though they may kill a kitten. Most cats are exposed, and infected, with the feline infectuous peritonitis virus, and those who develop the disease hardly ever survive more than 9 or 10 days. Chlamydiosis is only transmitted by direct contact with an infected cat and, therefore, only those living in a cattery or outdoor are at risk. It causes conjunctivitis, and rarely worsen to pneumonia. Feline leukemia also needs a direct contact with the infected cat, and most cats will not survive over 3 years after infection, developing cancer, secondary infections and anaemia.
WHEN SHOULD HE/SHE BE VACCINATED?
When his or her immune system is mature, developed and strong enough as to make antibodies against the vaccines. In puppies and kittens is a bit more complex but, summing up, your vet will wait until they run out of the maternal antibodies they got through the milk.
Whereas cats vaccines have to be repeated yearly, not all dogs vaccines need to be done that often. Distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus antibodies are lasting in your dog's body up to 3 years, parainfluenza or kennel cough antibodies used to last over a year, and leptospirosis are high enough in the bloodstream only 6 months. That explain why your vet is putting different stickers on your dog's vaccine card and, yes, dogs should be vaccinated against leptospirosis twice a year.
Rabies antibodies, on the other hand, are high even 5 years after the vaccine, but for legal reasons, depending on the country, pets must have reinoculations between 1 to 3 years, when it is compulsory.
WHERE SHALL I VACCINE MY PET?
In a place where you can find a professional who can guarantee that the cold chain has not been broken (nowadays most vaccines are atenuatted, that is, alive), that will use sterilize needles, knows how to inoculate them subcutaneously, and will recognise any possible adverse reaction to the vaccine. In other words, at your vets.
WHEN SHOULD HE/SHE BE VACCINATED?
When his or her immune system is mature, developed and strong enough as to make antibodies against the vaccines. In puppies and kittens is a bit more complex but, summing up, your vet will wait until they run out of the maternal antibodies they got through the milk.
Whereas cats vaccines have to be repeated yearly, not all dogs vaccines need to be done that often. Distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus antibodies are lasting in your dog's body up to 3 years, parainfluenza or kennel cough antibodies used to last over a year, and leptospirosis are high enough in the bloodstream only 6 months. That explain why your vet is putting different stickers on your dog's vaccine card and, yes, dogs should be vaccinated against leptospirosis twice a year.
Rabies antibodies, on the other hand, are high even 5 years after the vaccine, but for legal reasons, depending on the country, pets must have reinoculations between 1 to 3 years, when it is compulsory.
WHERE SHALL I VACCINE MY PET?
In a place where you can find a professional who can guarantee that the cold chain has not been broken (nowadays most vaccines are atenuatted, that is, alive), that will use sterilize needles, knows how to inoculate them subcutaneously, and will recognise any possible adverse reaction to the vaccine. In other words, at your vets.
Recommended links for further information:
Veterinary medicinal products
Pet vaccine myths
Vaccine side effects
Veterinary medicinal products
Pet vaccine myths
Vaccine side effects
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