Mayfair Animal Hospital      

Vaccinating Your Pet

Vaccinations are a critical component to preventive care for your dog and cat. Thanks to the development of vaccines, pets have been protected from numerous disease threats, including rabies, distemper, hepatitis and several others. Some of these diseases can be passed from pets to people — so animal vaccinations have protected human health as well.

Is vaccinating my pet a risk to his or her health?
Vaccination against disease is a medical procedure and, like all medical procedures, carries some inherent risk. As in any medical procedure or decision, the benefits must be balanced against the risks. As is the case with any medical decision, you and your veterinarian should make vaccination decisions after considering your dog’s age, lifestyle, and potential exposure to infectious diseases.

What possible risks are associated with vaccination?
Vaccine reactions, of all types, are infrequent. In general, most vaccine reactions and side effects (such as local pain and swelling) are self-limiting. Allergic reactions are less common, but if untreated can be fatal. These can occur soon after vaccination. If you see such a reaction, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. In a small number of patients, vaccines can stimulate the patient’s immune system against his or her own tissues, resulting in diseases that affect the blood, skin, joints or nervous system. Again, such reactions are infrequent but can be life threatening. There is a possible complication of a tumor developing at the vaccination site in a small number of pets, most frequently cats. Please contact your veterinarian for more information.

Overall, the health benefits of vaccinating your pet
far outweigh the minimal risks.

How do I know which vaccines my pet needs?
There are two general groups of vaccines to consider: core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are generally recommended for all dogs and protect against diseases that are more serious or potentially fatal. These diseases are found in all areas of North America and are more easily transmitted than non-core diseases. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) defines the following as core vaccines for dogs: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and rabies. Noncore vaccines are those reserved for patients at specific risk for infection due to exposure or lifestyle. AAHA classifies Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease and leptospirosis vaccines within the non-core group. Core vaccines for cats include: feline panleukopenia (distemper), rabies, feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, chlamydia. Non-core vaccines include feline leukemia and FIP.

How often should my pet be vaccinated?
Make sure that your dog completes the initial series of core vaccines administered at the puppy stage, as well as booster vaccines at one year of age. Following these one-year boosters, we recommend that the distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus core vaccines be administered annually. States and municipalities govern how often rabies boosters are administered. North Carolina requires a three-year-effective rabies booster be given every three years after the initial one-year vaccine. Non-core vaccinations should be administered whenever the risk of the disease is significant enough to override any risk of vaccination. For example, kennel cough vaccine may need to be administered up to every six months in a dog repeatedly being kenneled or exposed to groups of dogs at grooming salons or dog shows.

At Mayfair Animal Hospital, we require that all dogs who are staying in the hospital for treatment, boarding or grooming be current on rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccines, as well as having a current fecal exams. Cats staying in the hospital are required to be current on their feline distemper and rabies vaccines.

Can my veterinarian conduct a test to see if my pet needs to be vaccinated?
Tests that measure protective antibody levels for diseases are called titers. In recent years reliable titer tests for some diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus have become more readily available and economical. Veterinarians may recommend using these titer tests in some cases to determine whether or not vaccinations are needed. We can provide you with more information on titer testing.

At-A-Glance: Mayfair-Recommended Vaccines