Shots Shots & More Shots!
I have received many questions
about vaccines; Which ones should my pet have? Does he
need all of them at once? Every year?
Put your seat belts on….here we
go!
* update on the Canine Influenza
vaccine...read below*
Today there are many vaccines
available on the market. Vaccines are given to our pets to facilitate a
stronger immune system so that in the event of contagious disease exposure,
our pets have a lessened severity of disease or infection is even prevented.
Vaccines are divided into two groups, core and non-core. Core, meaning
vaccines recommended for most pets by the American Veterinary Medical
Association versus vaccines that are given to specific pets due to those pets
specific lifestyle (non-core).
Choices! Choices!
Ok, not that we have a menu that
you can pick and choose which vaccines…
How many shots or vaccines does
your pet need? All of them? No. Half of them? Probably not….
There are many vaccines available,
but not every pet needs every vaccine! Why? Each dog lives a different
lifestyle. For instance, the cushy couch potato pooch versus the rugged
Labrador that goes for a run on the beach, thru the trees, frequents his other
dog friends at the park…both come in contact with different exposures in their
life. Same with our feline friends…some like to go outside and others prefer
to jump where they aren’t supposed to be ( usually a table or counter) and
watch the world outside thru the window…again, different exposures.
So each pet’s lifestyle should
always be taken into account when determining which vaccines are best for that
specific pet.
Vaccines each and every
year?
Well….there are some veterinarians
that have done titers in the past. Titers measure where your pets immune
system “is” in relation to immunity. According to the American
Veterinary Medical Association there is NO ESTABLISHED
CONFORMATION that a low titer makes a pet less vulnerable or a high
titer confirms a pet to have better immunity against disease. So what do we
do? We base our vaccine schedule on our pet’s lifestyle and need for specific
vaccines.
Let’s talk numbers!
How many vaccines should our pets
receive at one time? That depends…on age, breed, size, stress and past
reactions. Yes, vaccines can cause allergic reactions, but it occurs
infrequently and the chance of a reaction decreases by separating the vaccines
out over multiple visits.
This means that the vaccines that
have been determined to be best for that specific pet are not all given at the
same visit. Age is a concern as younger pets may not have ever had vaccines
before and their response to them is not yet known. Some breeds are more
susceptible to allergic reactions to specific vaccines. Smaller pets can also
be more at risk for having a reaction if multiple vaccines are given at
once.
Stress effects all of us, there is
nothing that can replace gentleness and bedside manner…
working with a fearful animal can
be challenging, but discussing distraction, handling and behavioral techniques
with an owner makes the experience less stressful for the pet…which I believe
is one of the most important factors of veterinary medicine.
We want our pets protected as best
we can! Vaccines are only one avenue of protection. Over vaccination is
NOT the answer. Acknowledging that each pet has a different lifestyle with
different exposure risks, spacing out vaccine administration for each pet and
minimizing stress should always be the determinate of which vaccines we
administer, when and how often.
* The American Veterinary Medical
Association states that " The canine influenza vaccine is a "lifestyle"
vaccine, and is NOT recommended for every dog. In general, the vaccine is
intended for the protection of dogs at risk for exposure to the CI virus,
which include those that either participate in activities with many other dogs
or are housed in communal facilities, particularly where the virus is
prevalent. "
Have a Happy and Safe
Summer!
-Dr. Karina Salvo
--
If you ever have any questions or concerns
about your pet or their medications etc, please do not ever hesitate to call
us at any time!
We want the best for our pets, and yours
too...afterall, they are a part of the PawPrints family!
Best Regards,
Dr. Karina Salvo
PawPrints Animal Medical Centre PC
718-474-PAWS
We can treat sometimes, cure often and
comfort
always!
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