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Pet Health Blog

Vaccines protect more than your pet...

8/1/2017

10 Comments

 
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August is National Immunization Month, so we thought this would be a great time to touch on why vaccinations for your pets are so important.

Vaccines protect your dogs and cats from contracting preventable illnesses, but did you know that your pets' immunizations protect you, too?

Read on and you'll understand.

How vaccines work:

Legend has it that Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it well enough."
We could certainly get in-depth into the science of immunizations, but for simplicity's sake, here's an anyone-can-understand version:
How Antibodies Fight Disease
  • Diseases are spread by viruses or bacteria. Each of these germs has a unique "code," or antigen.
  • The body protects itself from these diseases by "cracking the code" and sending specific antibodies to destroy the disease before it causes illness.
  • Here's the catch: the body can't "crack the code" if the germ hasn't already been recognized, because there will not be a matching antibody to fight the infection.
How Vaccines Make Antibodies
  • Vaccines are made from weakened or killed parts of viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
  • In these small amounts, the body is able to add the "code" of the disease that the vaccine is intended to prevent to its "library of diseases" (e.g. create antibodies) without causing sickness.
  • If the body is ever exposed to the real disease, it can now "crack the code" and send those specific antibodies to combat the illness.
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Image from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates

How your pet's vaccines help protect your family:

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Some diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans.

In dogs and cats, the most common zoonotic concern is the Rabies virus. Rabies is a fatal disease, most often transmitted via bite wounds from an infected animal.

It is a problem in Pennsylvania.

According to data from the PA Dept. of Health, there were 405 Rabies positive animals submitted in 2016 (21 in Allegheny County).

The most recently released data from June 2017 reports 154 Rabies positive animals statewide - in just one month.





Keep in mind that the PADOH is only able to report these numbers based on animals that were submitted for testing. This does not include many more that die from the disease, undetected in the woods.

The Rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is extremely effective, and is required for all domestic animals by PA state law (yes, they do go door-to-door and check).

A common question from cat owners: "Pumpkin never goes outside; why does she still need a Rabies vaccine?"
State law aside, indoor cats still need to be protected. Though their risk for exposure is much less than a free-roaming outdoor cat, take a look at the map above: bats are the second most common Rabies positive animals in PA. Most often, these are bats that have made their way into homes through chimneys or by other means.

Cats are prey animals, and Pumpkin would be thrilled to finally get a chance to nab that "hairy bird" that just flew into her house. Not good if the "hairy bird" is actually a rabid animal.

There is no "one-size-fits-all" vaccine regimen.

There are many vaccines available for dogs and cats, but not every pet needs every vaccine. Our veterinarians recommend immunizations based upon your pet's lifestyle and environmental risk - this is one reason we spend extra time to ask important questions during your appointment.

Vaccinations can be divided into "core" and "non-core" vaccines:
"Core" Vaccines for Dogs
  • Rabies
  • DAPP or DHPP
"Non-Core" Vaccines for Dogs
  • Lyme* (while technically non-core, Lyme has become such a problem in Western PA that we now recommend it for all dogs)
  • Leptospirosis
  • Bordetella
  • Canine Influenza
"Core" Vaccines for Cats
  • Rabies
  • FVRCP
"Non-Core" Vaccines for Cats
  • Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

There are no silly questions!

As your pet's medical providers, part of our job is to help you be a well-informed pet owner.
​If you have questions about your pet's vaccines, the diseases they prevent, or anything else, please ask us!
10 Comments
Gerty Gift link
4/19/2018 11:57:29 am

Thank you for mentioning the importance of rabies shots. I had the same question for my last cat, but never voiced it to the vet. It's good to know that there are circumstances where they can catch these things inside the home and that there is a way that we can prevent it.

Reply
Bethany Birchridge link
8/20/2018 01:37:54 pm

It's a bit scary that some diseases can be transferred from animals to humans--like rabies. I've been thinking about adopting a pet, though I haven't been sure which vaccinations that animal will need. Where can I learn more about vaccines and which ones animals need?

Reply
Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital
8/27/2018 10:25:17 am

Hi Bethany!
There are lots of reputable, veterinarian-approved websites available (such as VetStreet.com & PetHealthNetwork.com), but your veterinarian will be your best source of information.

A number of factors go into deciding a vaccine protocol, including diseases prevalent in your geographic area and environmental risks specific to your pet (e.g. will your dog be boarded at a kennel or will your cat have exposure to outdoor, feral cats?).

There is no one-size-fits-all regimen, so talk with your veterinary team (and ask questions!) about what's best for your new adoption.

Reply
Joy Butler link
8/22/2018 10:48:15 pm

Our 6 puppies are now on their 8th weeks. I heard that they need to be vaccinated so I am now looking for a veterinarian near us. It really helped when you said that rabies can be very fatal and needs our attention.

Reply
Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital
8/27/2018 10:35:49 am

Hello Joy!

So glad that our post was able to help you. Puppies in particular - especially at the age of your little ones - need a series of several vaccinations in the first several months.

Their maternal antibodies wear off between 5 and 12 weeks of age, leaving them susceptible to contagious disease unless vaccines are administered to provide protection within their own bodies.

Most veterinarians offer reduced exam fees for litters of puppies, rather than charging a full visit cost for each pup. Phone calls are free, so don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions!

You don't mention your location, but if you're in the Pittsburgh/North Hills area, we'd be happy to talk with you about caring for your babies!

Reply
Sariah Meagle link
3/21/2019 01:16:48 am

You're correct when you said that vaccines help prevent pets from contracting preventable diseases. I think I will have my dog vaccinated if some diseases that he has can be passable to humans. Since I want him to avoid getting vaccines as much as possible, I'll take him to a veterinarian to get the proper vaccinations he should get.

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Daphne Gilpin link
5/3/2019 12:04:53 pm

Thanks for explaining that rabies vaccinations are required by law in some states for both dogs and cats. My husband and I just moved into our own home, and we want to get two dogs because we've been stuck in apartments that don't allow pets since we got married. I'm glad I read your article because now I know that we'll need to look into having them vaccinated!

Reply
Larry Weaver link
7/12/2019 12:45:58 pm

Thanks for explaining how it is important for pets to receive vaccines to avoid getting rabies. I had no idea that there were 405 reported cases of rabies in in 2016. My family just adopted a puppy Golden Retriever, so we will start looking for a vet we can go to so our puppy can get vaccinated.

Reply
Ashley link
10/11/2019 01:39:52 am

I thought that it was interesting when you said that even indoor pets need to receive vaccinations to protect them from harmful illnesses. I have been thinking about getting a cat but I haven't been sure what considerations to make for her. I will be sure to have her receive all appropriate vaccinations in order to ensure that she will live a long life.

Reply
Jay Jorgenson link
10/14/2019 01:16:43 pm

Personally, I hate vaccines so I would like to know why my pet needs vaccines. I like how you mention that it's important to vaccinate your pet because some diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans. Thank you for the information, this actually worried me a bit because he doesn't have his vaccines. I'll take my dog to a veterinary so he can get the vaccines he needs.

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