August is National Immunization Awareness Month!  And, just like us, it is important for our pets to stay up to date with their immunizations!

 by Michelle B. 

You receive a reminder from your veterinary clinic letting you know your pet is due for vaccinations.  You love your pet and want to keep him healthy, but you may wonder how necessary these vaccinations really are.  Does my indoor cat really need a rabies vaccine?  My dog doesn't go any further than my backyard, does he really need a distemper vaccine?  The answer is yes, our pets should have certain vaccinations, along with a yearly exam.  Rabies and distemper are considered core vaccinations for both dogs and cats and need to be updated on a regular basis. 

Rabies is a fatal disease in humans and in animals that is easily prevented with a vaccination.  It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system.  The virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through a bite, but can also be transmitted through a scratch or if saliva from an infected animal comes into contact with broken skin.  Any mammal is a potential carrier, although here in Wisconsin, skunks and bats are the most likely carriers.  The Rabies vaccination is recommended for both dogs and cats.  Many people ask, “Why do I need to vaccinate my indoor animal?”  First, it is the law in most communities and is required in order to get a dog or cat license.  Second, unexpected things do happen.  A bat may get into your home and expose your indoor cat or dog.  While, it may seem unlikely, the consequences can be severe and fatal.  One of our clients found a bat in their home that turned out to be positive for rabies! Here at Hallett Veterinary Hospital, we recommend a Rabies vaccination every 3 years for dogs, after the first year, and every year for cats.

The canine distemper vaccine, which you will commonly see abbreviated as DHPP or DHLPP, protects against more than just the distemper virus (D).  It also protects against canine hepatitis (H), canine parvovirus (P), and parainfluenza (P), along with leptospirosis (L) in many cases. 

• Canine distemper attacks the respiratory, digestive and nervous system of dogs and is very serious and can be fatal in approximately 50% of untreated dogs.  Wild raccoons can carry and spread the canine distemper virus.

• The canine hepatitis portion of the vaccine protects against both canine adenovirus-1 and adenovirus-2, which affect the liver and respiratory systems.  Canine hepatitis is almost always fatal and acts quickly, causing a lot of pain. 

• Parvovirus is highly contagious and has a death rate of nearly 90% in untreated dogs.  It causes debilitating diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

• Parainfluenza is a respiratory virus that can affect dogs.

•  Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal bacterial disease that infects the liver and kidneys and can cause kidney failure.  It is transmitted through contaminated soil, water and the urine of infected animals and can be transmitted to humans.  In fact, we have treated several dogs for leptospirosis this year.

Here in Wisconsin, we recommend boosting the leptospirosis vaccination yearly, due to increased exposure risk, as leptospirosis is prevalent in our area.  The canine distemper vaccine is initially given as a series of three vaccinations every four weeks to puppies and unvaccinated dogs, boosted at 1 year of age and then every three years. 

The feline distemper vaccine, which is commonly abbreviated as FVRCP, also protects against a number of diseases.  These include feline rhinotracheitis virus (FVR), calicivirus (C) and panleukopenia (P).  Feline rhinotracheitis is a respiratory disease that can result in chronic, often life long, infection and sometimes eye disease.  Calicivirus is also a respiratory disease that can cause mouth sores and oral pain.  Panleukopenia is a severe and highly infectious disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract, immune system and nervous system.   It causes a decrease in white blood cells and can be fatal.  All three of these diseases can be found in the environment and can spread through contact with infected cats.  The feline distemper vaccine is initially given as a series of three vaccinations every four weeks to kittens and unvaccinated cats, boosted at 1 year of age and then every three years.

There are several other vaccinations available for both dogs and cats that are not considered core vaccinations and should be given based upon the pet's environment and exposure risk.  These include bordetella or kennel cough and Lyme disease for dogs and feline leukemia for cats.  Your veterinarian will gladly help you determine if these vaccinations are necessary for your pet's health and protection. 

So, when you receive that reminder for your pet's vaccinations, just remember that these vaccinations protect your pet against serious and potentially fatal diseases.  They help to protect the members of your family as well, as some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans.  If you have further questions about your pet's vaccines, be sure to contact Hallett Veterinary Hospital.  Any member of our staff can help explain the importance of these vaccines and help you decide when and if your pet should be vaccinated.  

Michelle B. is a receptionist at Hallett Veterinary Hospital.