Annual Vaccinations
Dogs
Veterinary science, in conjunction with industry, has done a great job developing vaccines that are very safe and effective preventive measures. Vaccines keep your dog protected from serious infectious diseases. Diseases that, just a few years ago, were epidemics are now less common. It's not just a matter of more vaccines but also better vaccines that are more specific, provide longer protection, and allow your veterinarian to make recommendations appropriate for your pet.
Not all dogs need to be vaccinated for all diseases all the time. There are two general groupings of vaccinations: those that target “core” diseases and those that target “non-core” diseases.
Core vaccinations
Core vaccinations prevent diseases that are extremely widespread in their distribution and are easily transmitted. These diseases are commonly fatal or extremely difficult to treat effectively. One core disease—rabies, can be transmitted to humans with potentially deadly results. In summary, core diseases are the more contagious and severe diseases.
Core vaccines provide long term immunity, making yearly vaccination unnecessary. Core vaccines include:
Non-core vaccinations
Non-core vaccines protect against diseases that do not meet the core vaccine description. While all dogs are at risk for core diseases and must be vaccinated--risk of exposure, likelihood of infection, and severity of disease should be evaluated when making non-core vaccine recommendations. The indication for these vaccines should be based on a risk assessment that looks at local and regional incidence of the disease. The risk assessment should also take lifestyle into consideration. Non-core vaccinations may include:These vaccines generally provide a shorter length of protective immunity, and dogs that are at risk for infection should be vaccinated every year.
How can you determine your dog’s risk of infection?
[Editor's Note: Having a conversation with your veterinarian is the number one way you can determine your dog's risk factors and which vaccines are recommended.]
Not all dogs need to be vaccinated for all diseases all the time. There are two general groupings of vaccinations: those that target “core” diseases and those that target “non-core” diseases.
Core vaccinations
Core vaccinations prevent diseases that are extremely widespread in their distribution and are easily transmitted. These diseases are commonly fatal or extremely difficult to treat effectively. One core disease—rabies, can be transmitted to humans with potentially deadly results. In summary, core diseases are the more contagious and severe diseases.
Core vaccines provide long term immunity, making yearly vaccination unnecessary. Core vaccines include:
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine adenovirus 1 infection
- Rabies
Non-core vaccinations
Non-core vaccines protect against diseases that do not meet the core vaccine description. While all dogs are at risk for core diseases and must be vaccinated--risk of exposure, likelihood of infection, and severity of disease should be evaluated when making non-core vaccine recommendations. The indication for these vaccines should be based on a risk assessment that looks at local and regional incidence of the disease. The risk assessment should also take lifestyle into consideration. Non-core vaccinations may include:These vaccines generally provide a shorter length of protective immunity, and dogs that are at risk for infection should be vaccinated every year.
How can you determine your dog’s risk of infection?
[Editor's Note: Having a conversation with your veterinarian is the number one way you can determine your dog's risk factors and which vaccines are recommended.]
- Lyme disease is no longer limited to the Northeastern United States. It is transmitted by deer ticks associated with white tail deer. The populations of deer are expanding and with them the incidence of exposure. While exposure and infection do not always result in disease, dogs considered at risk should be vaccinated and tested annually.
- Vaccination against leptospirosis should be considered for dogs who are exposed to wildlife environments like ponds, or when urban and rural wildlife share the environment with your dog.
- Vaccination against canine cough includes bordetella and parainfluenza vaccines. These diseases are respiratory infections and as such are transmitted from dog to dog. Boarding facilities, dog shows, dog classes, and parks where dogs play are all potential risks. Dogs exposed to these environments should be vaccinated yearly.
- Canine influenza is a relatively recently described disease and a relatively new vaccine. It should be administered yearly for dogs considered by your veterinarian to be at risk.
- All dogs should be examined by a veterinarian at least yearly and a complete history and risk assessment should be performed. This will assure that your dog remains healthy and is appropriately vaccinated.
Cats
The goal of vaccinating your adult cat is to prevent as many diseases as possible.
What vaccines are even available for your adult cat?
There are lots of vaccines available, but not all cats need to be vaccinated for all diseases all the time. There are two general groupings of vaccinations;
There are a number of non-core feline vaccines available, but most are not widely recommended. The non-core vaccines that are most often recommended include feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and in some cases feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)1.
How do you know which non-core vaccines are appropriate for your cat?
Vaccines recommended may vary; your cat’s age and general health need to be considered.
You need to talk to your veterinarian. He knows you and your cat. That makes your veterinarian the best source of individualized advice on this subject. The two of you will need to determine the likelihood of your cat being exposed to the non-core illness listed above and weigh those risks against any side effects associated with the vaccines themselves. Your discussion should include a number of topics, but probably the most important is whether your cat is truly an “indoor cat” or spends any time out of doors, where other cats are a concern.
Once is not enough for vaccinations
Whatever vaccinations you decide on with your veterinarian, re-vaccination is needed from time to time to keep your cat’s immunity high. Different vaccines (even different versions of one type of vaccine) require different re-vaccination/booster schedules. Your cat’s health and lifestyle will change over time. That means that at every annual exam appointment with your veterinarian, you should revisit your cat’s risk assessment and tailor ongoing vaccination recommendations accordingly. This will assure you that your cat remains appropriately vaccinated throughout life.
Do vaccinations have risks?
As with any medical procedure there are some risks associated with vaccines. Those risks range from minor to extremely serious and have the potential to include side-effects like:
Allergic (hypersensitivity) and immune-mediated reactions may include:
This list should not scare you away from vaccines, but I encourage you to discuss these risks with your veterinarian.
What vaccines are even available for your adult cat?
There are lots of vaccines available, but not all cats need to be vaccinated for all diseases all the time. There are two general groupings of vaccinations;
- Those against so called “core” diseases
- Those against “non-core” diseases
There are a number of non-core feline vaccines available, but most are not widely recommended. The non-core vaccines that are most often recommended include feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and in some cases feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)1.
How do you know which non-core vaccines are appropriate for your cat?
Vaccines recommended may vary; your cat’s age and general health need to be considered.
You need to talk to your veterinarian. He knows you and your cat. That makes your veterinarian the best source of individualized advice on this subject. The two of you will need to determine the likelihood of your cat being exposed to the non-core illness listed above and weigh those risks against any side effects associated with the vaccines themselves. Your discussion should include a number of topics, but probably the most important is whether your cat is truly an “indoor cat” or spends any time out of doors, where other cats are a concern.
Once is not enough for vaccinations
Whatever vaccinations you decide on with your veterinarian, re-vaccination is needed from time to time to keep your cat’s immunity high. Different vaccines (even different versions of one type of vaccine) require different re-vaccination/booster schedules. Your cat’s health and lifestyle will change over time. That means that at every annual exam appointment with your veterinarian, you should revisit your cat’s risk assessment and tailor ongoing vaccination recommendations accordingly. This will assure you that your cat remains appropriately vaccinated throughout life.
Do vaccinations have risks?
As with any medical procedure there are some risks associated with vaccines. Those risks range from minor to extremely serious and have the potential to include side-effects like:
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Regional lymphadenomegaly
- Soreness
- Abortion
- Encephalitis
- Polyneuritis
- Arthritis
- Seizures
- Behavioral changes
- Hair loss or color change at the injection site
- Respiratory disease
Allergic (hypersensitivity) and immune-mediated reactions may include:
- Failure to immunize fully
- Tumorigenesis (vaccine-associated sarcoma or other tumors)
- Multisystemic infectious/inflammatory disorder of young
- Vaccine-induced immunosuppression
- Reactions caused by the incorrect or inappropriate administration of vaccines
This list should not scare you away from vaccines, but I encourage you to discuss these risks with your veterinarian.