Vaccinology for Dogs and Cats

UCF Continuing Education "Becoming a Vet Assistant"

1940’s

when the first vaccine for dogs was released

1980s

when the parvovirus outbreak occurred

noninfectious vaccines

vaccines that don’t affect the host and can’t reproduce in the animal’s body

infectious vaccines

contain organisms that are alive thatt reproduce in the body and stimulate an immune response

adjuvant

an ingredient that stimulates a more robust immune reaction than the antigen alone (for noninfectious vaccines)

8 weeks old

puppies and kittens get their first vaccines

4 weeks after the first vaccine

puppies and kittens get a second vaccine to boost antibody production high enough to protect against the disease

subcutaneously (SubQ)

vaccine given with a needle and syringe, injected into the fat layer below the skin

intramuscularly (IM)

vaccine given with a needle and syringe, injected into a large muscle

intanasally (IN)

vaccine given with a syringe, liquid is quirted into the nose

orally

vaccine is given with a syringe, liquid is squirted into the mouth

transdermally

only one transdermal (through the skin) vaccine, and it is for canine melanoma. it is provided through a special device to dogs that already have undergone surgery for the tumor

colostrum

a mother’s first milk, it is high in fat for energy and in maternal antibodies that protect puppies and kittens from infectious disease… must be ingested within 12 hours of birth or else antibodies may not be able to absorb into bloodstream correctly… if maternal antibody levels are high, this can interfere with vaccines because there is no need to produce for antibodies if the maternal antibodies neutralize the antigen

distemper

(dog) Causes pneumonia and seizures (hence the name distemper). Picked up by contact with secretions from an infected dog's nose. Treatment is difficult and most die.

parvovirus

(dog) Causes vomiting and diarrhea. Picked up by exposure to contaminated feces. Treatment is intensive, requiring intravenous fluids and medications. Older dogs survive better. Mainly a puppy disease.

hepatitis

(dog) Causes fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs pick up the virus from feces or saliva. Treatment is aggressive fluid therapy. Often fatal.

parainfluenza

(dog) Causes coughing and sneezing. Transmitted by nasal secretions. Antibiotic treatment helps speed recovery. Part of the kennel cough complex.

leptospirosis

(dog) Causes kidney and liver disease. Picked up from water contaminated with infected urine. Many infections go unnoticed. Severe infections often fatal.

corona virus

(dog) Causes vomiting and diarrhea. Transmitted by infected feces. Most dogs recover without treatment. Exception is young puppies.

lyme

(dog) Causes vomiting and diarrhea. Transmitted by infected feces. Most dogs recover without treatment. Exception is young puppies.

bordetella

(dog) Causes coughing and sneezing. Transmitted by nasal secretions. Antibiotic treatment helps speed recovery. Part of the kennel cough complex.

canine influenza

(dog) Normally causes a mild upper respiratory infection with coughing. Transmitted in kennelling situations. Occasionally triggers a high fever and pneumonia. Possible death.

rabies

(dog and cat) Causes nervous signs. Transmitted by a bite from an infected animal. Treatment unsuccessful.

panleukopenia

(cat) Causes vomiting and diarrhea. Picked up by exposure to contaminated feces. Treatment is intensive, requiring intravenous fluids and medications. Older cats survive better. Mainly a kitten disease.

rhinotracheitis

(cat) Causes eye infections and sneezing/coughing. Transmitted by nasal secretions. Antibiotics help prevent secondary bacterial infections. Kittens can die from this disease.

calicivirus

(cat) Causes eye infections and sneezing/coughing. Transmitted by nasal secretions. Antibiotics help prevent secondary bacterial infections. Kittens can die from this disease.

chlamydia

(cat) Causes prominent eye infections and sneezing/coughing. Transmitted by nasal secretions. Treated with antibiotic eye drops and sometimes oral antibiotics. Not generally fatal.

feline leukemia

(cat) Causes lack of immunity and triggers tumor formation. Passed between cats through bites and grooming. Can't be treated.

feline infectious peritonitis

(cat) Causes fever and fluid accumulation in the chest and abdomen. Seen mainly in breeding catteries or multicat houses. Don't understand transmission.

Feline immunodeficiency virus

(cat) Causes lack of immunity. Passed between cats mainly through bites. Can't be treated.

Feline Bordetella

(cat) Causes coughing and sneezing. Transmitted by nasal secretions. Antibiotic treatment helps speed recovery.

vaccinosis

any disease that arises after an animal is vaccinated… many vets believe this doesn’t exist as there is little scientific proof

prevented by:

only vaccinating healthy animals, minimizing number of vaccines, measuring antibody titers

antibody titer

a measure of the number of antibodies in a pets immune system… tested through a simple blood test