Why should we vaccinate?
- Fatal disease
- Zoonotic disease
- Limited treatment options
- Economics- less expensive to vaccinate than to treat.
Immune system
Leukocytes – Lymphocytes
Antibody
protein produced by lymphocytes – neutralize antigens
Antigen
antibody generating protein-identifier – foreign/self
Immunity
a body’s protection against disease
• An animal’s immune system is introduced to a foreign antigen, activating lymphocyte antibody production.
• Antibodies specific to that antigen circulate through the bloodstream neutralizing the foreign antigen.
• Specialized lymphocytes are produced with a memory of the foreign antigen.
Vaccinations
- Vaccines are designed to produce a high circulating antibody population and a memory for a disease without actually causing the disease.
- No vaccine is 100% effective.
How do we determine vaccination protocol?
- Core vs. Non-core vaccines
- Lifestyle of client/dog/cat
- Animal’s health, age, breed, activity level, etc.
Canine Core Vaccines
- Four viral diseases
- Three highly contagious amongst dogs
- Two with high mortality rates
- One fatal zoonotic virus
- DA2PP or DHPP or “alphabet vaccines” & RV
Distemper
- Highly contagious viral disease with high mortality rate
- Affects dogs and wild animals such as foxes, coyotes, wolves, skunks, ferrets, and raccoons.
- Airborne transmission – virus enters body via mucous membranes – travels throughout the body, affecting many systems. Virus can be shed in urine and feces.
- Symptoms include nasal and ocular discharge, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis. AKA “Hard pad” disease
- Limited treatment options
- Adenovirus 1
causes Canine Infectious Hepatitis
a. Affects canines – wild and domestic
b. Virus is transmitted via urine, nasal or eye secretions. Requires direct contact for transmission
c. Variety of clinical signs ranging from upper respiratory infection, depression, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, edema of head and neck, jaundice. “Hepatitis blue eye”
d. Limited treatment options
Adenovirus 2
causes an upper respiratory infection
a. AKA infectious tracheobronchitis or “kennel cough”
b. Dry hacking cough, retching white foam, possible nasal and ocular discharge
c. Limited treatment options – cough suppressants
Parvovirus
- Highly contagious viral disease with high mortality rate
- Affects all canids worldwide. Transmitted via fecal/oral contact. Virus is highly resistant and easily transmitted by clothing, shoes, fur, etc.
- Symptoms include depression, anorexia, vomiting and severe diarrhea. Death usually occurs within 48-72 hours after onset of clinical signs.
- Puppies (6 weeks-6 months) are susceptible. Certain breeds are predisposed to the parvovirus
- Diagnostics include clinical signs and fecal analysis for the virus
- Sanitation and disinfection of environment key to controlling the spread of the virus
- Treatment is supportive – fluids, controlling vomiting and diarrhea, and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Rabies
- Fatal viral infection - infected animals usually die within ten days of onset of clinical signs
- Virus is shed in saliva – most common route of transmission is via bite wounds
- Limited incidence in Western Washington – bats are the primary source of rabies in Washington State - exposure to these wild animals can transmit the disease to dogs, cats, and humans
- Definitive diagnostic is brain tissue analysis
- If a domestic animal bites someone – quarantine required
- Limited treatment – DOH states, “Rabies is almost invariably fatal despite treatment.” Post exposure treatment necessary
Bordetellosis
- AKA Kennel Cough
- Bacteria: Bordetella bronchiseptica most common cause, but similar symptoms can be seen with various viruses
- Chronic, dry, hacking cough. Conjunctivitis and nasal discharge are common.
- Spread through contact
- Recommended for dogs that interact with other dogs regularly. May be required by certain facilities.
Leptospirosis
- Bacteria Leptospira spp.
- Commonly spread through contact with infected urine. Can be spread indirectly through contaminated water, food, or bedding.
- Zoonotic disease. Bacteria penetrates mucous membranes or abraded skin. Spread through bloodstream, invading various systems. Prefers kidneys and can be shed for months in the urine.
- Treatment includes supportive care, long term antibiotic therapy
- Increased incidence of Leptospirosis in Western Washington, the vaccine may be recommended to dogs with access to wildlife, swampy areas, or standing water.
Lyme Disease
- Caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through a tick bite.
- Clinical signs include arthritis, carditis, nephritis, and seizures
- Responds well to antibiotics, but once infected = infected for life.
- Prevention is key via vaccination and tick control
- 90% of Lyme disease cases occur on the East Coast, with peak times being spring through summer
- Recommended for traveling dogs, or for those living in high tick areas.
Acute infection of Leptospirosis
fever 103-104°F, shivering, muscle tenderness. Vomiting, rapid dehydration follow
Subacute infections of Leptospirosis
fever, anorexia, vomiting, dehydration, increased thirst. Muscle and kidney pain. Can become chronic.
Feline Core Vaccines
- Four viral diseases
- Three highly contagious amongst cats
- Two most common causes of URI
- One fatal zoonotic virus
- One virus with high mortality rate
- FVR or FVRCP (alphabet vaccine) and RV
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
(FVR)
• Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)
• Not the same herpesvirus for humans and dogs
• Readily destroyed by heat, cold, and most disinfectants
• Considered more severe with corneal lesions and ulcers with thick ocular discharge commonly formed
Feline Calicivirus
(FCV)
• Hardier virus than FVR
• Relatively stable in heat and cold
• Oral ulcers are more common
FHV-1 and FCV transmision
o Transmission: intimate contact between infected and susceptible cats
o Viral particles are shed in sputum, nasal, and eye discharges
o Contaminated litter pans, food and water bowls
o Grooming, licking and sharing bowls most common route of transmission
FHV-1 and FCV Clinical signs
o Clinical signs
o Rhinitis – initial discharge is clear, becomes purulent and even blood tinged
o Sneezing is often the first clinical sign
o Stomatitis (ulceration in mouth and mucous membranes)
o Inappetance or anorexia
FHV-1 and FCV
o Can have carrier states
o Most reoccurring transmissions happen with physiologic stress
o Estimate 80% of recovered cats are carriers of FHV-1
o Recovered FCV cats can shed virus for 30 days or for life
o 20-25% of healthy cats are FCV carriers
