Vaccinations
Vaccinations for Cats
Core Vaccines (Recommended for Every Cat):
Rabies - Rabies virus attacks the nervous system and can cause clinical signs that include erratic behavior such as episodic aggression, irritability, restlessness and unexplained roaming. Other signs may include uncoordinated movement and seizures. Rabies is transmitted by a bite wound through the saliva. Wild animals that can spread this virus include bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons. In humans, this disease is highly fatal if not treated.
Feline Upper Respiratory Combo
Feline panleukopenia - This virus attacks rapidly dividing cells and, most commonly, causes suppression of white blood cell production. Most cats infected with this virus show no signs of disease but young kittens can have anorexia, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and progressive diarrhea. Adult cats, although they may not show signs of the disease, can spread the virus in the environment where it can survive for more than a year. FVP can be transmitted in all body excretions, including feces.
Feline viral rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes Virus) - This virus also causes upper respiratory signs but it can also cause corneal (eye) ulcers. Cats infected with this virus carry the virus for the rest of their lives and can have recurrences of clinical signs during times of stress. It is spread when an infected cat coughs or sneezes or by casual contact.
Feline Calicivirus - This virus causes upper respiratory signs such as runny eyes, runny nose and sneezing. It can also cause oral ulcers, pneumonia and, rarely, arthritis. It is spread by aerosolization when an infected cat coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by contact between cats. For example, it can be spread by nose-to-nose contact, sharing food/water bowls or when grooming.
Recommended for Special Circumstances:
Feline pneumonitis is caused by the organism Chlamydia psittaci. Signs of pneumonitis are similar to those of FVR and FCV.
Feline leukemia Virus ( FeLV ) - Feline Leukemia causes immunosuppression, major organ system degeneration and/or cancer. Signs of this disease are usually vague and include weight loss, decreased appetite, depression, vomiting and diarrhea. Cats can also get secondary infections because of the decreased immune system function. This virus is spread by casual contact between cats. This vaccination is recommended for cats that are outside unsupervised, cats that are in contact with outdoor cats and cats that live with FeLV positive cats.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis ( FIP ) - FIP can cause fluid congestion or aggressive organ destruction. The virus is spread in the feces and oronasal secretions. Unfortunately, this vaccination is not commonly recommended because it is not very effective.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ( FIV ) - Signs of FIV can be from direct viral effects or, because this virus causes immunodeficiency, from secondary infections. Direct viral effects include chronic diarrhea, anemia, low platelets, engaged lymph nodes, kidney insufficiency and behavioral abnormalities. This vaccination is not commonly recommended because it is not very effective. In addition, once a cat has been vaccinated, there is no way to discern whether the cat truly has the disease.
Vaccinations for Dogs
Core Vaccines ( Recommended for Every Dog) :
Rabies - Rabies virus attacks the nervous system and can cause clinical signs that include erratic behavior such as episodic aggression, irritability, restlessness and unexplained roaming. Other signs may include uncoordinated movement and seizures. Rabies is transmitted by a bite wound through the saliva. Wild animals that can spread this virus include bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons. In humans, this disease is highly fatal if not treated.
Distemper Combo:
Canine Distemper - A virus that is a multi-systemic disease. It most commonly causes neurological signs such as seizures or an uncoordinated gate. It can also cause respiratory signs such as nasal and ocular discharge or digestive signs such as diarrhea and vomiting. More serious forms of this disease are most commonly seen in young unvaccinated puppies but dogs of all ages can be affected. This disease can be spread in urine, feces, nasal and ocular discharge.
Canine Adenovirus Type ( CAV ) Type-1 and Type-2 - This vaccination protects against CAV-1 and CAV-2. CAV-1 can cause severe liver disease and liver inflammation. Clinical signs of this disease are fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. CAV-2 infection causes respiratory disease. The virus is shed in all body secretions and can be shed in the urine for 6-9 months after recovery.
Canine Parvovirus - Parvovirus causes fever, depression, anorexia, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and rapidly progressive dehydration. It is spread in the feces. Severe cases may lead to death in young puppies. CPV is an extremely contagious disease and the virus can survive for long periods in the environment.
Recommended for Special Circumstances:
Canine Coronavirus - Signs of Coronavirus infection include, anorexia, depression and vomiting, but the most common sign is diarrhea. Coronavirus is transmitted in the feces. This vaccination is recommended for dogs that are exposed to high density boarding kennels and dogs that ingest other dogs' feces.
Lyme Disease - Clinical signs associated with Lyme disease are shifting leg lameness, arthiritis, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. In rare casess it can cause kidney disease or heart disease. The causative agent is transmitted by the Deer tick. Can be prevented by using a tick preventative.
Leptospirosis - Leptospirosis infection can cause liver damage or kidney disease in dogs. It is spread in the urine and can sometimes be found in standing water. Dogs can get an infection oral, nasal, or skin exposure. This vaccination is recommeded for farm dogs, breeding dogs and dogs that hunt in water. Leptospirosis can cause flu-like symptoms in people and can also cause abortion in pregnant women.
Bordetella - Bordetella is part of the Kennel Cough Complex and, as the name implies, the most common sign is a loud, hacking dry cough. This disease is usually self-limiting and will go away without treatment in about 2 weeks. However, some dogs can get inflammation of the trachea and require treatment for this condition. This vaccination is recommended for dogs that are exposed to a large number of other dogs in enclosed spaces, i.e. dogs that are boarded, dogs in breeding kennels etc.
