VACCINES

Vaccinations are a critical component to preventive care for your pets.

Vaccines stimulate the body to produce its own defense against infection, taking over the mother's role in providing protection.

In general, puppies and kittens do not leave their mother until they are 8-9 weeks old, so this is usually when they receive their first vaccination. The first vaccination course (for dogs and cats) always consists of two or more vaccinations.  

DOGS VACCINES


Rabies- (Which is required by law) 

Is a severe virus that affects the central nervous system of almost all mammals, including humans. The virus is most common in raccoons, bats, dogs, and cats. It is spread by contact with saliva on an open wound of the skin. The virus causes behavior changes, seizures and death.

Rabies vaccinations should be given at 16 weeks of age, then boosters every 1 or 3 years.

 

DHLPP-(combination vaccine which includes)

(D) Distemper

(H) Hepatitis

(L) Leptospirosis

(P) Parainfluenzia

(P) Parvo virus

Distemper-

  • Is widespread, serious, often deadly, and can affect almost any carnivore, wild or domestic. Canine distemper is a contagious viral disease, seen most frequently in puppies 3 to 6 months old, but dogs of all ages are at risk.
  • Ideally, distemper vaccines, should start at 8 weeks, and then re-vaccinate every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then annual booster.

Hepatitis-

  • Is a contagious viral disease that affects the dog's liver, primarily. Early signs are similar to those seen in Distemper. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with urine from an infected dog. The canine strain of hepatitis does not cause hepatitis in humans.
  • Ideally, hepatitis vaccines should start at 8 weeks, then re-vaccinate every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then annual booster.

Leptospirosis-

  • Is an infectious bacterial disease transmitted by contact with the urine of an infected dog, rat, or other wildlife. Infection occurs through oral mucous membranes, the cornea of the eye and/or the skin.
  • Ideally, leptospirosis vaccines, should start at 8 weeks, then re-vaccinate every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then annual boosters

Parvovirus-

  • 'Parvo' is a highly contagious disease that causes severe intestinal problems in dogs. Infected animals have bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and become quite depressed and dehydrated quickly.
  • Ideally, parvovirus vaccines, should start at 8 weeks, then re-vaccinate every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then annual booster.

Parainfluenza-

  • Is a common, though highly contagious, viral upper respiratory disease. The signs may be very mild, but may progress if other conditions exist. Since signs are mild, the disease can be spread to other unprotected dogs without being readily noticed.
  • Ideally, parainfluenza vaccine, should start at 8 weeks, then re-vaccinate every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then annual booster.

Bordetella- [Bordetella Bronchiseptica (kennel cough)] 

  • Is a bacterial agent that causes the respiratory disease.
  • Given as an intranasal vaccine.
  • Highly contagious airborne agents cause mild to severe inflammation of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
  • Kennel cough is characterized by a harsh, chronic cough, as well as possible nasal discharge and sneezing.

Rick factors-

  • Boarding your dog
  • If you take your dog to a groomer
  • Take your dog to a dog park
  • If you’re pet is around other pets.

***FACC recommends that your pet have the intranasal vaccine at least 2 weeks before boarding, grooming, or being around other animals but can be done the day of, if needed.

Lyme-

  • Is a complex illness that affects wild and domestic animals, as well as humans.
  • It is caused by a bacterium carried by the Western Black Legged Tick and the Deer Tick.
  • Symptoms include fever, arthritis, severe pain and lameness.
  • Typically, dogs don't show signs for two to five months after infection.
  • Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world
  • Typically, dogs don't show signs for two to five months after infection.
  • Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world
  • Vaccine is given around 16 weeks of age and then boosters 2-3 weeks later.
  • When starting, regardless of age, your pet will need a series of two shots 2-3weeks apart.

Risk Factors-

  • All dogs are at risk of contracting Lyme disease but some maybe at a higher risk than others.
  • Does your dog spend time in wooded areas or
  • Low-growing grassland?
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Is your dog outdoors during peak tick season?

How to prevent Lyme disease.

  • To help protect your dog:
  • Vaccinate annually against Lyme disease.
  • Apply a topical tick control product monthly.
  • Brush dogs frequently during tick season
  • Conduct thorough tick checks.

If you find a tick attached:

  • Remove it promptly without crushing.
  • Disinfect the bite site and tweezers.
  • Save the tick in a sealable plastic bag for
  • examination and testing.

 

***If you have any problems with removing the tick or questions about ticks please contact Frankfort Animal Care Center.

 

 

Fecal Test-

  • Although, not a vaccine, a fecal test is most commonly done with your pet annual vaccines.
  • As puppies and kittens a fecal test is commonly done along with your pets booster vaccines which are done every 2-4 weeks to check for parasites.
  • It is recommended that a fecal test be done with your pets annual vaccines.
  • For more information about parasites, visit our INTESTIONAL PARASITE page.

Heartworm-

  • Is a condition in dogs caused by a certain type of parasite. These parasites are transmitted to your pet through mosquitoes. 
  • Although not a vaccine, a heartworm test is most commonly done on your pet during his/her annual vaccines.
  • Test is performed with a blood sample 
  • First test is done at 1 year of age, then annually after that. 
  • FACC recommends year round preventative 
  • For more information on types of preventative please visit heartwrom prevention page.

How it happens-

  • Adult female heartworms release their young, called microfilaria, into an animal's bloodstream.  
  • Then, mosquitoes become infected with microfilaria while taking blood meal from the infected animal. 
  •  During the next 10 to 14 days, the microfilaria mature to the infective larval stage within the mosquito.  
  • After that, the mosquito bites another dog, cat or other susceptible animal, and the infective larvae enter through the bite wound.  
  • It then takes a little over 6 months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms.  
  • In dogs, the worms may live for up to 7 years.  
  • Microfilaria cannot mature into adult heartworms without first passing through a mosquito.