Vaccine Requirements
Vaccines we require and why!
Why do we require vaccines be given by a vet?
The vaccines your veterinarian gives are guaranteed, which means that if there is any question about efficacy, the vaccine company will reimburse at least a portion of your bill. They all have different ways of doing this, but in the end, it is guaranteed.
- Efficacy of vaccines can be altered by a variety of things:
a. Technology during production – it seems like all vaccines are the same, and some rarely change, but the main vaccine manufacturers are always trying to stay ahead of diseases to make their vaccines the most effective they can be.
b. Transport – proper transport from the production facility to the clinic is very important. These vaccines need to be refrigerated 100% of the time. They are transported on ice in coolers, but if a package arrives and sits outside or doesn’t get transferred to the refrigerator right away, that entire shipment is compromised.
c. User – the vaccine user can also change a vaccine’s effectiveness. Vaccines should be given either subcutaneously or intramuscular except for the Bordetella vaccine, which is either inject-able, intra-oral, or intranasal depending on the product. During administration, animals virtually NEVER sit still. They are moving all over the place and that can certainly cause problems with administration.
d. Timing - Vaccines work amazingly well if the timing is right! There are lots of different vaccines out there and they are all given on differing schedules. Dog’s immune system encounters invaders all the time. Often it will create varying immunity to certain invaders. The job of the vaccine is to stimulate immunity without causing disease. Most vaccines stimulate a small increase in immunity the first time they are given, and that boost generally happens 2-4 weeks after the injection. If the second vaccine is given 2-4 weeks after the first, it can ride the wave, so to speak, of the first injection and a much bigger immunity spike occurs. So, timing is everything. In order to maintain the proper level of immunity to prevent disease, the vaccines will need to be boostered on a regular basis.
DAPP (Distemper/ Adenovirus/ Parainfluenza / Parvo)
Distemper - a contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of puppies and adult dogs.
The virus can also be found in wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink and ferrets. It has been reported in lions, tigers, leopards and other wild cats as well as seals.
Adenovirus - There are two different and distinct adenoviruses’ that infect dogs. CAV-1 causes infectious hepatitis and upper respiratory disease, whereas CAV-2 predominately results in an acute upper respiratory disease. CAV-2 is one of viral agents incriminated in the canine “kennel cough” complex.
These viruses are shed in most body secretions from acutely infected dogs. Contact of susceptible dogs with contaminated fomites results in oronasal exposure. The virus replicates in tonsils and lymphoid tissues of the oral cavity and then disseminates hematogenously to other tissues and organs.
Parainfluenza- Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) is a highly contagious respiratory virus and is one of the most common pathogens of infectious tracheobronchitis, also known as canine cough. Although the respiratory signs may resemble those of canine influenza. They are unrelated viruses and require different vaccines for protection.
Parvo- Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have "parvo". The virus affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments, or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects.
Bordetella-
Kennel cough is an all-encompassing term used to depict a multitude of highly contagious respiratory illnesses. It is usually spread in areas where large numbers of dogs are confined, like kennels, which is how the disease got its name.
Kennel cough itself is not fatal, but the disease can lead to fatal bronchopneumonia in puppies and chronic bronchitis in senior or immunocompromised dogs.
Leptospirosis-
Risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs residing in the United States include exposure to or drinking from rivers, lakes or streams; roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife, farm animals, or water sources); exposure to wild animal or farm animal species, even if in the backyard; and contact with rodents or other dogs.
Dogs can become infected and develop leptospirosis if their mucous membranes (or skin with any wound, such as a cut or scrape) come into contact with infected urine, urine-contaminated soil, water, food or bedding; through a bite from an infected animal; by eating infected tissues or carcasses; and rarely, through breeding. It can also be passed through the placenta from the mother dog to the puppies.
Canine Influenza- (highly reccomended)
Canine influenza (CI, or dog flu) is caused by the canine influenza virus (CIV), an influenza A virus. It is highly contagious and easily spread from infected dogs to other dogs by direct contact, nasal secretions (through barking, coughing or sneezing), contaminated objects (kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes), and by people moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Dogs of any breed, age, sex or health status are at risk of infection when exposed to the virus.
