Why Are Pet Vaccinations Necessary?
Dogs and cats can be at risk of infection just like any other animal. Therefore, immunity to disease is essential for them to live a healthy life. To increase your pet’s immunity, they should receive vaccinations on a routine basis. Our hospital in Nora is dedicated to protecting pets with timely vaccinations that are suited to their individual lifestyles. This is one of the most effective ways to not only prevent infection in your pet but to prevent the spread of certain diseases that put animals and people at risk.
What Vaccines do Pets Need?
The severity of diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvo make certain vaccinations a necessity. However, there are other, less-prevalent diseases that may be a higher risk for pets living in certain areas or near certain types of wildlife. Our doctors can help you choose which vaccines will benefit your pet the most and prevent over-vaccination.
The vaccines your pet receives in their lifetime are given based on risk and factors such as age, size, breed, travel frequency, and how often they socialize with other dogs or cats.
To customize plans, our hospital offers a variety of vaccines for dogs and cats:
Dogs
- Rabies (core)
- Distemper/parvo combination vaccine (core)
- Leptospirosis (core)
- Bordetella (core)
- Lyme
- Bivalent influenza vaccine
What vaccinations does my dog need, and why are they important?
So, for any dog, we recommend following the core vaccine schedule. That consists of our distemper series, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza virus, Bordetella, rabies, and leptospirosis. These are core vaccinations that are important for any dog regardless of their lifestyle, age, or where they might live. These have been decided as the core vaccines to keep our dogs healthy and to ensure they are protected against everything in the environment, as well as to keep ourselves as pet owners protected because some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans as well.
What is the difference between core and non-core vaccines, and what are the non-core vaccines for dogs?
Core vaccines are the essential vaccines for any animal regardless of lifestyle, age, activity level, and things like that. In contrast, the non-core vaccines are determined based on your dog's lifestyle—whether you will be camping, boarding your dog, going to dog parks, grooming, etc. Some of our non-core vaccines, for example, would be the Lyme vaccination. If you and your dog are going to be camping or hiking in rural areas where ticks or Lyme disease is prevalent, your veterinarian might recommend getting your dog vaccinated against Lyme disease. Similarly, canine influenza is one of our non-core vaccines as well. This is often required by boarding facilities, daycares, kennels, or places like that where there is a high variety of animals and a high load of dogs in one area, making them more susceptible to certain diseases such as canine influenza.
How often will my dog need booster shots?
Booster vaccines vary based on age and vaccination status. A general rule of thumb is we start vaccinating our dogs around 6 to 8 weeks of age and continue every 2 to 4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. Once they reach 16 weeks, they have developed their immune system, and their mom's maternal antibodies have worn off. For an adult dog who's never been vaccinated, we generally administer two series: the first vaccine and then again in 3 to 4 weeks for the second booster to ensure they are protected against these diseases. Thereafter, depending on the vaccine, they will either need to be boostered once a year or every three years.
What are the signs I should watch out for regarding an adverse reaction to a vaccine?
The most common adverse reaction we see to vaccines is some pain at the injection site—soreness or discomfort when you start petting either their neck area or behind. This usually goes away within 24 to 48 hours. We can also see tiredness or lethargy, where your dog might just go home and sleep the rest of the night after the vaccine, which is totally fine and normal. In rare cases, we may see more severe side effects. Signs to look out for would be facial swelling, hives, or trouble breathing. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian, and they'll be able to guide you to the help you need.
Cats
- Rabies (core)
- FVRCP – feline distemper (core)
- Feline leukemia
What vaccinations does my cat need and why are they important?
For any cat, we recommend following the core vaccination guidelines. This includes the feline distemper series, which often consists of the feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus. We also recommend and require rabies as it is mandated by state law.
How often will my cat need booster shots?
Booster shots depend on your cat's age and vaccination status. We recommend starting the vaccination process when cats are 6 to 8 weeks old. We then booster these vaccines every 2 to 4 weeks until your cat reaches 16 weeks of age. Once the cat is 16 weeks old, their immune system begins to mature, and maternal antibodies start to wear off. For cats a year of age or older that have not been vaccinated before, they generally receive two series: the initial vaccine followed by a booster in 2 to 4 weeks. Once your cat has been consistently vaccinated, these vaccines might be boostered yearly or every few years.
What are the signs of an adverse reaction to a vaccine?
The most common side effects we see with vaccines are minor pain at the injection site, which may cause some discomfort when petting them, or a bit of soreness. A little limp here and there can be completely normal, and these side effects usually wear off within 24 to 48 hours. Your cat might also seem a bit tired or lethargic, opting to rest or hide for the night, which is totally normal. Again, this usually resolves as the side effects wear off.
Common Animal Diseases
Rabies - Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain. Without immediate treatment, this disease is almost always fatal. The most common vectors of this virus are bats, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. Rabies is spread via an infected animal’s saliva and its symptoms include muscle spasms, paralysis, fever, and excessive drooling. In Indiana all pets are required by law to be vaccinated against Rabies.
Distemper - Distemper differs between cats and dogs. Canine distemper is a life-threatening viral disease that targets the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Feline distemper, also known as the feline panleukopenia virus, is highly contagious and affects the intestines, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
Leptospirosis - Leptospirosis primarily affects dogs. Leptospira bacteria, which cause this infection, can be found just about anywhere in soil and standing water. A notable characteristic of Leptospirosis is that it is zoonotic, meaning it can be spread from animals to people. Rivers, lakes, rural properties, and exposure to wildlife (such as deer, raccoons, and rodents) can increase your dog’s risk of becoming infected.
Does Your Pet Need Protection from Disease?
Call (762) 716-5417 to meet with one of our doctors about your pet’s vaccination needs. We can discuss their vaccine timeline, existing and potential disease risks, and much more so you can make the most informed decisions about their care. Questions are always welcome!