Happy August, my favorite month of the year! It's also National Pet Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccines work by stimulating an immune response, familiarizing your pet's system with a specific disease particle. Having this pathogen-specific immunity allows them to respond faster if they are exposed, preventing or lessening the severity of signs associated with the disease.
Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but hugely important way to protect their health. In addition to preventing many life-threatening illnesses, vaccinations can prevent diseases prevalent in wildlife and those that can be passed to humans, such as rabies. While any medical treatment involves some degree of risk, in the case of vaccinations the benefits far outweigh any potential side effects. Adverse reactions are rare, and when they do occur they are usually mild and short-term. It's important to note that all cats and dogs — even those that live primarily indoors — should be vaccinated. Additionally, places you may frequently visit such as boarding kennels, dog parks and grooming salons are environments that pose a higher risk for transmission of contagious diseases. Talking with your veterinarian is the best way to decide which vaccines your pet needs based on their individual lifestyle.
Some vaccines are core, or recommended for all pets, while others are considered based on lifestyle and individualized for your pet. Here is a list of common vaccines:
Canine Immunizations
- Rabies virus – core vaccine
- DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus combination) – core vaccine
- Leptospirosis – dogs acquire lepto from water sources that are contaminated with urine from infected rodents, livestock, or wildlife. This vaccine is recommended for dogs that play or drink from streams, ponds, rivers, or ditches.
- Bordetella (kennel cough) – this is required for dogs that go to doggie daycare, groomers, or boarding, as the bacterium causes an extremely contagious upper respiratory disease.
- Influenza virus – this causes respiratory disease in dogs and has been implicated in contagious outbreaks at boarding facilities and shelters in various regions throughout the country.
- Lyme disease – although infrequent, we do see cases of Lyme disease in Colorado. It is recommended for dogs that travel to the East Coast and other areas where it is endemic.
Feline Immunizations
- Rabies virus – core vaccine
- FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia combination) – core vaccine
- FeLV (feline leukemia virus) – transmitted from mother cats to their kittens, and between cats through close contact such as mutual grooming.
Talk to your vet to find out how often your pet should be vaccinated and what factors should guide immunizations, including breed, age, health, lifestyle (indoor versus outdoor), and travel. Your own lifestyle and whether you travel with your pets may also affect your veterinarian's recommendations.
This August, check your pet's immunization records to see whether they are due for anything. Keeping your pet's immunizations up to date protects them against preventable diseases. Book an appointment today to protect your pets!