Vaccines & Your Pets with Associate Director of Clinic Services Dr. LeAndra Thompson, VMD.

“Keeping up to date with vaccines is an important part of keeping your pets healthy and happy.  As we navigate through recent events, vaccines have come to the forefront. What exactly are vaccines and what do they do to our pets? Vaccines protect against some bacteria and viruses by stimulating your pet’s immune system to form antibodies to them. Antibodies are protective proteins that will help the body remember what a virus or bacteria looks like, so when it encounters one, the body is able to mount a much quicker response to fight against it than if there were no antibodies at all.  Notice that I didn’t say it prevents infection. Vaccines dramatically lower the chances of a pet becoming seriously ill or dying from a contagious disease. So which vaccines should you get for your pets? Vaccines are broken down into 2 categories: core or necessary vaccines and optional or lifestyle vaccines. Core vaccines are essential for all healthy dogs and cats to receive, unless otherwise recommended by your veterinarian. Each pet is different, so it is important to talk to your veterinarian about which vaccines your pet should get. Rabies and “distemper” are considered core vaccines. Distemper vaccines are actually combination vaccines that protect against several diseases, only one of which is distemper. You will often see these written as a bunch of letters: DHPP or DA2PP in dogs and FVRCP in cats.  The rabies vaccine is required by law for both cats and dogs over 12 weeks old in most states, including Pennsylvania. This is ultimately to protect human life since rabies is still present in our country and is fatal in both pets and humans. What if you have an “indoor” pet? Many pet owners believe that if their pet doesn’t go outside, such as an indoor only cat, that the rabies vaccine is not necessary, but this is incorrect.  Many instances have occurred where dogs or cats unintentionally get out or go missing from the home and return with wounds or injuries that we have no way of knowing how they got them. In other cases, bats get into people’s homes and may encounter your pet. These are all opportunities where they can be exposed to rabies. Optional vaccines are based on a pet’s lifestyle and risk of exposure and vary by region.  In our area these include Bordetella (kennel cough), canine influenza, leptospirosis, and Lyme vaccines for dogs. For cats this is the feline leukemia vaccine.  Your veterinarian can help you assess your pet’s risk and if these vaccines should be added to your pet’s vaccine program. How often do you need to vaccinate your pet? This depends on age, lifestyle, and vaccination history.  No vaccine lasts the entire lifetime of a pet after just 1 inoculation. Regular boosters are essential to maintain a good level of immunity.  A booster is the same vaccine given within a certain time frame to stimulate an effective immune response. Puppies and kittens initially need frequent boosters.  The reason for this is that they receive temporary protection from diseases through the antibodies in their mother’s milk. These antibodies can last as long as 16 weeks after birth, but may wear off way before that. Once they wear off the puppy or kitten becomes vulnerable to infection. Distemper boosters are recommended every 3 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks old in order to reduce the chance of infection during that window when the maternal antibodies wear off and the pet builds his or her own immunity from vaccination. In general, once a puppy or kitten has completed their initial vaccines series – which should be between 4-5 months old – then they should receive boosters of these vaccines 1 year later.  After this, the core vaccines can be given every 3 years.  In adult pets with unknown or unclear vaccine history, once they get initial vaccines, they should be boostered 1 year later, then receive core vaccines every 3 years.  All of the optional vaccines must be boostered yearly to remain effective. If boosters become overdue sometimes an additional booster will be needed to return to a good level of immunity. In our senior pets that are 10+ years old with a routine vaccination history their risk of contracting certain diseases is much lower and some vaccines may no longer need to be given. However, some pets may need to continue vaccination despite age due to risk or requirements such as for boarding, doggy daycare, or housing. Can vaccination be harmful to my pet? As with any medication or medical procedure infrequent side effects can occur.  Common signs after vaccination may include lethargy (being tired), a lowered appetite, or even a slight fever. The vaccination site can be tender and a little bump may form under the skin where the vaccine was given. These effects typically resolve in 1 to 2 days and can be monitored.  On very rare occasions pets can have more serious allergic reactions that may include frequent vomiting, trouble breathing, facial swelling, hives, collapse and shock. These are cases where a pet should be seen by an emergency service for immediate treatment. Studies have shown that serious vaccine reactions occur in about 0.001% of cases. In cats there is also a rare condition called injection-associated fibrosarcoma, which is a cancerous mass that develops at the site of an injection such as a vaccine.  Although this is already a rare occurrence (about 1 case per 10,000 to 30,000 vaccinations) certain vaccines are designed to reduce this risk even further. Purevax is a Rabies vaccine designed in this way which we do offer and carry in our PAC Wellness Clinic. In the majority of cases the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. If your pet has had a reaction to a vaccination before, it is important to let your veterinarian know. Vaccine clinics are a great way to get your healthy pet’s initial vaccines or to keep up with yearly boosters, but if you have any questions about which vaccines your pet actually needs, it is best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so he or she can assess your pet’s individual risks and discuss any questions or concerns with you. Here at PAC we are happy to offer both vaccine clinics and veterinary appointments in our wellness clinic for your pet’s vaccination needs. (more…)

Hi there, I'm Lydia! I'm a beautiful young adult lady who is waiting on my forever family at Providence Animal Center in Media! I recently made the journey here from an overcrowded shelter in North Carolina in hopes of settling down in a forever home up north. My friends at PAC all love my gentle demeanor and sweet disposition. I am often described as polite, active and tolerant! While I'm not the most affectionate at first, I am sure to show love to my forever family after a slow acclimation period. If you’re looking for an easygoing gal to go on long, leisurely walks with, I might be the gal for you!

Someone loves me so much that they sponsored my adoption! That means my adoption fee is waived to the right home. Walk in to meet me at Providence Animal Center during their hours of operation. I truly am the packaged deal – I am up-to-date on vaccines, spayed, and microchipped.

Check out Providence Animal Center’s low-cost behavior services at ProvidenceAC.org/Training!

Hi there! I'm Baby Girl! I'm a gorgeous black and white cat who is patiently waiting on my forever family at Providence Animal Center, in Media. I made my way to PAC after my former family could no longer care for me, so I have been quite shy and cautious in my new environment. My friends at PAC all know with the right family who is willing to give me plenty of time and space to acclimate, that I will come out of my shell and be a truly sweet companion kitty. I love gentle pets on my head and napping in a comfortable spot. It’s possible that I am a pro couch-potato in the making!

If you’re interested in giving me a home to blossom in, walk in to Providence Animal Center soon to meet me! I truly am the packaged deal – I am spayed, microchipped, litterbox trained, and up-to-date on vaccinations. Can’t adopt, but interested in helping a pet like me? Join the foster team at Providence Animal Center! Apply online: ProvidenceAC.org/Foster.

Hi there, I'm Paisley! I'm a sweet and petite older adult gal who is looking for a home to retire to for my golden years. Although I am small, weighing 13 pounds, I have a big heart with a lot of love left to give! I  could live with a feline sibling so long as they are introduced slowly! I walk well on the leash, am polite when I meet new people, and I love a gentle head pet. I am a bit of a wallflower when I meet new people, but I'm sure to become my forever family’s shadow once I have acclimated to my forever home! Are you interested in meeting a tiny lady who is sure to fill up a big space in your heart? Walk in to Providence Animal Center soon to meet me! I am the packaged deal – I am up-to-date on vaccines, spayed, and microchipped.

Check out Providence Animal Center’s low-cost behavior services at ProvidenceAC.org/Training.

Hello there! My name is Lady Tremaine. I'm a beautiful momma cat who is patiently waiting for my purr-fect family to come in and meet me! My kittens got big and strong in their foster home, and have all moved on to loving families, so it’s my turn to shine! My friends at PAC all say I am a sweet and affectionate cat, who loves attention and gentle chin scratches. I will make an awesome companion to a family that respects my boundaries, and want a pal who will always sit somewhere close. I would benefit from being my family’s one-and-only feline friend!

If you’re interested in meeting me, walk in to Providence Animal Center soon! I am truly the packaged deal – I am spayed, microchipped, litterbox trained, and up-to-date on vaccinations.

Can’t adopt, but interested in helping a pet like me? Join the foster team at Providence Animal Center! Apply online: ProvidenceAC.org/Foster.

Hi, I'm York! I'm a very sweet older adult dog, with the most amazing smile, who is patiently waiting on my forever family at Providence Animal Center, in Media! I am described by my friends at PAC as sweet, polite and a contender for #1 couch-potato! If you’re interested in meeting me, walk into Providence Animal Center soon. Someone loves me so much that they sponsored my adoption, which means my adoption fee is waived to the right home.

I am the packaged deal – I am up-to-date on vaccines, neutered, and microchipped. If you would like to support a pet in Providence Animal Center’s care, like me, consider making a donation from their Amazon Wish List at ProvidenceAC.org/WishList.