To Vaccinate or Not?

There is so much controversy over the dangers of over-vaccination these days. What I've learned is this: there are two essential vaccines for cats, and two for dogs. Most others, you?ll just need to use your and your vet?s judgment on.

The rabies vaccination is a must-must-MUST for both dogs and cats. It is typically administered once every 3 years. Rabies is a viral, neuroinvasive disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in warm-blooded animals. Because it tends to enter through periferal nerves and the central nervous system, it manages to avoid the bloodstream, bypassing the fighting spirit of the immune system. In the beginning stages of rabies the symptoms include malaise and fever. The next stage is typically acute pain, violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, depression, and the inability to swallow water. The final stage inflicts mania, lethargy, coma, and sometimes, death, which is caused by respiratory problems. Rabies is most commonly transmitted by a bite from an infected animal, and is fatal if left untreated.

Thank goodness for FVRCP shots for cats. This vaccine is an effective preventive agent against the very worst contagious diseases. Outdoor, shelter and kenneled cats are most at risk for these diseases; so are kittens, older cats and cats with weakened immune systems.  "FVR" stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, an upper respiratory infection caused by a feline herpes virus. Cats with this chronic infection exhibit signs of lethargy, and incessant coughing and sneezing. They often have a high temperature and a discharge from the nostrils and the eyes. They stop eating and drinking because their nostrils are plugged and their throats sore, bringing on dehydration and unhealthy weight loss.  "C" stands for strains of Calcivirus, also harbingers of upper respiratory infections. Early signs are loss of appetite, elevated temperature and lethargy. Later, sneezing, oral ulcers and discharge from the eyes are seen. The more violent strains can cause rapid death.  "P" is for Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper and infectious feline enteritis), a highly contagious disease characterized by a short course and high mortality rate. The disease is caused by a parvovirus similar to the parvovirus seen in dogs. Early signs are vomiting, diarrhea and a low white blood cell count. This disease can be deadly.

For dogs, DHPP vaccines should be kept current. The "D" is for Distemper, which is an often fatal viral disease that causes respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurologic problems. "H" is for Hepatitis, a virus that can wreak havoc on your pet?s liver. One "P" is for Parainfluenza, which is contagious and leads to respiratory infections, and the last "P" is for Parvovirus, the most common infectious disorder in dogs in the U.S. Parvo causes severe gastrointestinal problems, fever, and, in serious cases, death.  

Some circumstances may call for extra protection. For instance, kennel-cough vaccine is a good precaution for dogs who spend a good amount of time in close quarters with other dogs; for instance, dogs that are kenneled, in doggie daycare or attend dog shows. Unless you live in an area where heartworm and lyme disease run rampant, vaccines for these can probably be skipped. My vet is not keen on unnecessarily vaccinating, and neither am I. What both of us are keen on is bringing them in for annual checkups, making sure to have blood work done, and monitoring them for any liver, kidney and metabolic issues that might be lurking.