Courtesy of Fort Dodge Animal Health
Introduction
As a responsible pet owner, maintaining your pet's health is a primary concern. In addition to providing a loving environment and a quality diet, prevention of infectious disease is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your pet illness free. Through routine regular checkups, your veterinarian is able to evaluate your pet's health needs and plan an appropriate preventive health program, including vaccinations. Maintaining a routine schedule of physical examinations and vaccinations, provides your pet with the best possible chance to resist the common diseases they encounter.
This article discusses common questions regarding infectious diseases, prevention of illness and the importance, effectiveness, and risks associated with vaccinations. Please read this information carefully and direct any additional questions to your veterinarian or one of their staff members.
What are infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases are caused by microscopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. These germs invade and multiply within your pet's body, or in some cases, on the skin surface and cause illness. If your pet's immune system does not stop an infection and it is left untreated, many infectious diseases can cause serious, permanent damage, including death.
How is my pet exposed to disease causing organisms?
Many diseases are transmitted to susceptible animals by an infected animal in various ways, including close contact, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Healthy- appearing animals may also spread disease-causing germs, without showing any signs of illness themselves. People can spread infected diseases also, by coming in contact with an infected animal or fluids. They may unknowingly carry the disease-causing germs on their hands, clothing or shoes to an unsuspecting and unprotected pet. This is particularly true with common diseases such as canine parvovirus and feline ringworm.
Some bacteria, viruses and fungi can remain infectious for very long periods in the environment without an animal host. In these cases, animals can be exposed to infectious diseases without coming in contact with another animal or person.
As you can see, there are numerous opportunities for your pet to be exposed to disease-causing organisms. When such exposures occur, their immune system must be prepared to protect them from severe illness or death.
How does the immune system fight disease?
When an animal is exposed to infectious organisms, the immune system is called upon to prevent infection by forming antibodies. These antibodies then fight off the invading organisms.
What are vaccines and how do they work?
Vaccines are made by killing or altering the disease-causing germs so that they no longer create illness. When they are injected in the form of a vaccine, they cause the immune system to stimulate the production of antibodies and "memory cells" specific for that disease. In this way, vaccines prepare the immune system to be ready to stop infections and prevent illness quickly when the "real" disease strikes. It is important to realize that vaccines, by themselves, do not prevent disease. Vaccines only act as a "trigger" to stimulate the immune system. It is up to the animal's immune system to actually prevent infection and disease.
If I have my pet vaccinated, does that mean it win never get sick?
There are literally thousands of microscopic organisms that can cause illness in our pets. Therefore, it is not possible to vaccinate for every possible infectious disease. However, vaccines have been developed to assist your animal's immune system in pre- venting the most common and serious diseases.
Although modern vaccines are highly effective, not every vaccinated animal will be equally protected. Some animal's immune systems will respond very well to vaccination, while others may not develop a high level of protection. Due to this variation in response, it is impossible for vaccination to prevent all disease. In addition, some animals may be exposed to such high numbers of infectious microorganisms that their immune system is overwhelmed and they become ill. Fortunately, the vast majority of vaccinated pets will be protected.
Why are multiple boosters given in the initial series?
The need for multiple boosters is especially important in young animals. Their immune system may not respond as quickly or as effectively as an adult's. In addition, they receive antibodies through their mother's first milk (colostrum) that protects them from infectious disease during the critical first months of life. Unfortunately, these maternal antibodies also react with vaccines and may reduce the vaccine's effectiveness. These first antibodies have a short and variable life span and decline over several months time. Giving multiple vaccinations to young animals helps to insure that they have the best possible opportunity to respond to develop protection when they are most vulnerable.
Why are boosters given over the lifetime of my pet?
Generally, immune protection declines after a period of time. Revaccination intervals can vary depending on your pets risk of exposure, the type of vaccine used, your pet's age and its health status. The precise interval between revaccinations will be determined by your veterinarian. Historically, yearly revaccination intervals have been effective in controlling many infectious diseases.
Are there risks associated with vaccination?
Although rare, an animal can experience complications from vaccination. Most of these reactions are transitory, but some can be life-threatening. Various components of vaccines are foreign to the body, as a result, some individuals may react to normal vaccination in unexpected and abnormal ways.
The most common side-effects of vaccination in pets are a low grade fever, depression or a decreased appetite. These effects are often short-lived and self-limiting, usually lasting only 24 to 48 hours and require no treatment. Such symptoms are not unlike what many humans experience after receiving an influenza or tetanus inoculation. Although not expected in every animal, these mild symptoms are signals that you should monitor your pet's progress but, by themselves, should not be cause for alarm. Vomiting, diarrhea, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or extremities and hives are more serious signs of allergic reactions. Allergic reactions usually occur within a matter of minutes to a few hours after vaccination. These more severe signs should be reported to your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian can then determine whether additional close observation or treatment is indicated.
Please advise your veterinarian if your pet has experienced an allergic reaction to vaccinations in the past, so that they can take precautions to minimize the risk if additional boosters are given.
Abnormal reactions to vaccinations are rare. The benefits of providing protection against serious infectious diseases greatly outweigh the risks associated with vaccination. In order to minimize the risk associated with vaccination, consider scheduling your pet's inoculations when you can spend several hours with your pet after vaccination. By observing your pet's behavior after vaccines are given, you can contact your veterinarian if complications should arise,
Your Veterinarian is committed to your pet's health.
You have entrusted your veterinarian with the care of a valuable family member. This brochure is provided to assist you to be more informed about the recommendations of your veterinarian regarding your pet's preventive health program. Ask your veterinarian or their staff members any additional questions you have regarding your pet's needs.
