From the Guidelines
Your pet needs core vaccinations including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus for dogs, or rabies, panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpesvirus for cats. Puppies and kittens typically receive a series of vaccines starting at 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old. Adult dogs and cats need rabies vaccines every 1-3 years depending on local laws and the specific vaccine used, as stated in the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2006 1. Core vaccines for adult pets are generally given every 1-3 years after the initial series. Non-core vaccines like Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, or Feline Leukemia may be recommended based on your pet's lifestyle and risk factors. The exact vaccination schedule should be determined by your veterinarian who will consider your pet's age, health status, and exposure risk. Vaccines are essential because they stimulate your pet's immune system to recognize and fight specific disease-causing organisms, preventing potentially fatal illnesses. Side effects are typically mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site or slight lethargy for 24-48 hours after administration. It is also important to note that local governments should initiate and maintain effective programs to ensure vaccination of all dogs, cats, and ferrets and to remove strays and unwanted animals, as recommended by the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2003 1. Additionally, animal shelters and animal-control authorities should establish policies to ensure that adopted animals are vaccinated against rabies, as stated in the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2001 1.
Some key points to consider:
- All dogs, cats, and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated in accordance with the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2006 1.
- If a previously vaccinated animal is overdue for a booster, it should be revaccinated with a single dose of vaccine and placed on an annual or triennial schedule, depending on the type of vaccine used, as recommended by the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2003 1.
- The control of rabies among wildlife reservoirs is difficult, and vaccination of free-ranging wildlife or selective population reduction might be useful in some situations, but the success of such procedures depends on the circumstances surrounding each rabies outbreak, as stated in the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2006 1.
- Rabies surveillance is an essential component of rabies prevention and control programs, and laboratory-based rabies surveillance is necessary to guide human postexposure prophylaxis decisions, determine the management of potentially exposed animals, aid in emerging pathogen discovery, describe the epidemiology of the disease, and assess the need for and effectiveness of oral vaccination programs for wildlife, as recommended by the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2006 1.
It is essential to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best vaccination schedule for your pet, as they will consider your pet's age, health status, and exposure risk to provide personalized recommendations.
From the Research
Core Vaccinations for Pets
The core vaccinations that pets need vary depending on the type of pet and its lifestyle. For cats, the core vaccines include:
- Panleucopenia virus (FPV)
- Calicivirus (FCV)
- Herpesvirus (FHV-1)
- Rabies virus (where it is endemic or mandated by law) 2 For dogs, the core vaccines include:
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2)
- Canine adenovirus type-1 (CAV-1) 3
Booster Vaccinations
Booster vaccinations are necessary to maintain immunity in pets. The frequency of booster vaccinations depends on various factors, including the type of vaccine, the pet's age, and its lifestyle. Studies have shown that a single dose of modified live virus (MLV) canine core vaccines or MLV feline core vaccines can provide long-term immunity in a high percentage of animals 3.
Vaccination Guidelines
Vaccination guidelines for pets are not universally agreed upon, and different organizations may have different recommendations. However, most guidelines agree that core vaccines should be administered to all pets, and that booster vaccinations should be given at intervals of more than one year in many situations 2, 4.
Importance of Vaccination
Vaccination is an important tool for preventing infectious diseases in pets. It not only protects the individual pet but also contributes to herd immunity, which is essential for preventing the spread of diseases in a population 5, 4. Regular vaccination interviews, rather than yearly revaccination, are recommended to ensure that pets receive the necessary vaccinations and to monitor their immune status 4.