Why do we vaccinate?

Vaccines have been around since the 1700s.  Vaccinations stimulate the body’s immune system to fight infections of specific diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.  Human vaccines have eradicated diseases like polio from many countries. 

We as veterinarians understand that over-vaccinating for diseases that your dog or cat may not come into contact with may pose problems over the lifetime of the pet.  However, the vaccinations that we do recommend are essential for your pet’s health.  It is easier, and more cost effective, to prevent diseases like Kennel Cough and Parvovirus by vaccinating instead of treating the pet when it contracts the disease.  Our veterinarians will take into consideration factors like risk of exposure to disease agents, age of the pet and vaccination history to tailor a vaccination plan to suit your pet.  We have also adapted to more modern preventative measures by going to 3 year protocols on certain adult vaccinations.

Puppies and kittens require several sets of vaccinations to provide optimal immunity towards these diseases.  Your veterinarian will discuss these protocols with you to provide the best immunity for your new puppy or kitten.   Puppies and kittens require more frequent vaccinations than older pets because nursing animals ingest maternal antibodies from their mother’s milk which will neutralize some of the agents in vaccinations. Maternal antibodies will gradually decrease over the first three to four months of life.  

The following vaccinations are considered of utmost importance to your pet’s health.  Many diseases described can be easily prevented with vaccination.  If you have any questions regarding vaccination and prevention of disease please contact the staff at Chisholm Trail Veterinary Clinic.

Essential Canine Vaccinations

Parvovirus - An often fatal gastrointestinal disease of puppies, but we have seen many cases in older dogs that have never been vaccinated. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and dehydration.  The disease is very costly to treat and treatment doesn’t guarantee resolution of disease.  We see hundreds of cases of parvo each year in Caldwell County; this is perhaps one of the most devastating viral diseases of dogs. 

Distemper Virus - Canine distemper is a contagious, often fatal, multisystemic viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems.  Non-vaccinated dogs are most susceptible.  This disease is still prevalent in this area.

Adenovirus - Infectious canine hepatitis is a liver infection of dogs caused by a virus. The virus is spread in the feces, urine, blood, saliva, and nasal discharge of infected dogs. It is contracted through the mouth or nose, where it replicates in the tonsils. The virus then infects the liver and kidneys.

Leptospirosis – A bacterial disease that can affect many species of animals including livestock, wildlife (such as rodents, coyotes, raccoons, etc), and your pets. The bacteria are passed in the urine of infected animals and contaminate water sources.  Leptospirosis is prevalent in rural, suburban and urbanized areas.  Animals can become infected by swimming in ponds or walking through wet grass.  Leptospirosis is also transmissible to humans.  Visit the link to the CDC to learn more about this zoonotic disease.

Canine Respiratory Disease Complex (Kennel Cough) – Similar to whooping cough in people.  Untreated, it could lead to pneumonia and death.  The disease is aerosolized so it can be found anywhere, even if your pet does not go to a kennel.  Places like dog parks, grooming salon, pet stores can increase exposure.  However, a dog shedding the disease can infect your dog by coming near your property.  Kennel cough is very common in Caldwell County.

Essential Feline Vaccinations

Calicivirus, Herpesvirus & Viruses causing Rhinotracheitis – Can affect cats of any age but kittens are most suspectible. These diseases can cause sneezing and discharge from the nose and eyes, sometimes cats will suffer with sores in the mouth.  Sometimes the signs are so severe that the cat will stop eating and drinking.  The viruses are spread easily through contact with nasal and ocular secretions.  Kittens that recover from the disease will usually have respiratory signs and chronic infections throughout their lifetime.

Panleukopenia – Also known as feline distemper.  It is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, similar to parvovirus in dogs that is highly contagious.  Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, lowe white blood cell count, dehydration and often death.  The disease is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids but can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects. 

Leukemia – Feline leukemia virus infects cats through oral or nasal secretions when touching noses for example or sharing food or water bowls.  Feline leukemia is a common disease among strays and feral cats and while they may show no symptoms of disease they can still shed the virus and infect other cats. The virus infects cells of the immune system and eventually the bone marrow.  While many cats can live for several years with the infection, many more die of the disease.

Other Vaccinations

Rabies – State law mandates that dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies.  This is because the vaccine is very effective and rabies virus can infect people.  The disease is carried in an infected animal’s saliva and can easily infect humans and other animals through a bite wound. There is no cure for Rabies and it is a fatal disease.  Your veterinarian will decide whether your pet will be vaccinated for Rabies every year or every 3 years.  This is dependent on local laws and exposure risk.  We have had numerous cases of rabid wildlife (skunks, bats) in Caldwell County.

Rattlesnake Vaccine - Caldwell County has its share of rattlesnakes and we see hundreds of cases of snake bite every year.  A vaccination has been developed for dogs that provides protection in case your dog ever gets bitten.  While the vaccination is not going to prevent the reactions that go along with a snake bite it seems to significantly lessen the time to recovery.  Your pet still needs to be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible after a bite occurs.  Go to this link to learn more about the vaccination.