1st Care Vets

Vaccine Smart

Part of keeping our pets healthy is making sure that they’re protected against certain infectious diseases. While kittens and puppies usually receive a series of vaccines in order to establish adequate immunity, the risk of disease exposure for adult cats and dogs may vary greatly depending on lifestyle. The unfortunate reality is that most pets receive too many vaccines over their lifetime. Some vaccines are given too frequently, and some are given to pets who don’t even have any risk of exposure.

 

As a pet parent, it’s important to be “vaccine smart” when it comes to your cats and dogs. Ask questions and do your homework! Here are a few things to keep in mind before that next vet visit:

  1. Frequency of vaccines– Regardless of your pet’s lifestyle, adult cats and dogs do NOT require every vaccine every year. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) each have a task force that periodically examines best practices for vaccines in dogs and cats, respectively. Let’s look at two of the most common vaccines given too frequently.
    • dogs: The DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza) has historically been given every year to adult dogs. However, the 2011 AAHA guidelines clearly state that this is no longer recommended. Regardless of product used, a booster every ≥3 years is sufficient (beginning with the booster received a year after the puppy series).
    • cats: The FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) vaccine has similarly been given yearly to adult cats. However, as with dogs, this is no longer recommended. The 2013 AAFP guidelines advise that, beginning with the booster received a year after the kitten series, adult cats should be vaccinated every three years, NOT every year.

2.  History and lifestyle– At each visit, your vet should ask about your pet’s history and lifestyle in order to determine what vaccines are needed   based on risk of exposure. For example:

    • Does your cat go outside? If so, is she supervised or free-roaming? (i.e. Is she exposed to other cats?)
    • Does your dog go to the groomer’s, boarding facility or dog parks?
    • Does your dog go hiking with you?

      3. Health and age factors

 

    • Only healthy animals should be vaccinated. If your cat or dog is sick, seek veterinary attention for the illness. Vaccinating a sick animal can often make the animal weaker and even more ill.
    • Take precautions with senior animals and animals with weakened immune systems. Depending on the situation, your vet may no longer recommend certain vaccines.
    • If there has been a history of vaccine reaction, talk to your vet about appropriate steps to take in order to minimize future problems. For example, if your dog has had a reaction to the DA2PP vaccine, a titer test may be recommended in lieu of a vaccine

     4.  Number of vaccines in one visit– The risk of vaccine reaction increases with the number of injections given at one time. Especially for cats and small dogs, it’s a good idea to limit the number of vaccines received at a visit. For example, if your pet is due for 3 vaccines, it’s often recommended to split them up by giving 2 vaccines one day and returning for the third vaccine in 2 or more weeks.

In summary, while vaccines play an important part in the health of your pet, it’s important to keep in mind that your pet’s vaccine plan should take into account her lifestyle, risk of exposure, and health status. Be aware that many clinics choose not to follow vaccine guidelines and/or don’t take the time to ask questions about your individual pet. Your pet is counting on you to be “vaccine smart”—don’t let her down!

1st Care always carries the highest quality vaccines available on the market, including all adjuvant-free vaccines for Cats and Thimerosal-free vaccines for both dogs and cats when available. We also will never recommend vaccines that we don’t believe are necessary for your pet, we give longer duration core vaccines, and we may limit the number of vaccines given on a single visit to do our part in lessesning the chance of a vaccine reaction.