Cat and dog vaccinations protect our pets from infectious, often deadly diseases. Since cat and dog vaccinations are so widespread, many of the diseases that once were common are now very rarely seen. However, if fewer owners are vaccinating their pets, a resurgence can occur and affect an entire pet community. The veterinarians at South Loop Animal Hospital, have a commitment to companion animal health which drives us to offer the most current vaccines to your pet on the right schedule.
Is your cat or dog due for vaccinations? Book an appointment today by calling (312) 753-5551 or using the online form!
How Vaccinations Work and Which Cat and Dog Vaccinations Your Pet Needs
Cat and dog vaccines are typically injections that contain a weak sample of the disease that triggers your pet’s antibodies. If the same disease is contracted in the future, their body will recognize it and be able to fight it off much more effectively. We offer both core (essential) and non-core (lifestyle) cat and dog vaccinations.
Rabies Vaccine: Rabies disease is caused by a virus that is most commonly transmitted by bite wounds. All mammals are susceptible to rabies infection. Skunks, bats, raccoons, and coyotes are the most common wildlife species to transmit the virus to dogs and cats. Once symptoms begin, rabies is untreatable and fatal. The first vaccine given at 14-16 weeks old. A booster vaccine is needed one year later, and then every three years. This vaccine is required by Cook County and Illinois law in all cats.
Feline FVRCP “Distemper” Virus Vaccine: This vaccine protects against three infectious diseases:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes): Herpes typically causes upper respiratory and eye signs, such as sneezing, squinting, eye discharge, ulcerations, and nasal discharge. Stress tends to cause latent infections to become clinically apparent. Vaccination against Herpes virus will help lessen signs but may not prevent future flare-ups or life-long infection.
- Calicivirus: this is a viral infection characterized by upper respiratory signs including sneezing and eye signs, oral ulcerations, and occasionally, arthritis. There is a systemic form of the disease that can have more severe signs in adults.
- Panleukopenia Virus: this is a viral infection that attacks rapidly dividing cells, including those within the immune system, bone marrow, intestines, and nervous system. This can lead to life-threatening enteritis that presents with vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, shock, and sepsis. It can also affect kittens in utero and lead to neurologic deficits after they are born.
The FVRCP vaccine should be repeated every 2-4 weeks in kittens until 14-16 weeks of age. A booster vaccine is needed 1 year later, and then every 3 years.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): This virus is transmitted through saliva during grooming and playing, as well as through blood. Infection can cause suppression of the immune system, leaving cats more susceptible to infectious diseases. FeLV infection can also lead to the development of malignant forms of cancer. Cats can be chronic, asymptomatic carriers of this disease. Therefore, It is important to test all cats for FeLV, especially before introducing a new cat to a household with cats. Annual boosters are recommended in cats that have access to the outdoors, live with FeLV-positive cats, or live with cats whose FeLV status is unknown. First vaccine given at 8-9 weeks old. A booster vaccine is needed 2-4 weeks later, and then annually if needed.
Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DAPP) vaccine: This vaccine protects against four infectious diseases:
- Distemper virus: This virus is typically spread by dog-to-dog contact or inhalation of infected respiratory secretions, Distemper infection varies in severity from mild to severe, and can potentially be fatal. Infection manifests in many ways, including nasal and ocular discharge, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and neurologic disease.
- Adenovirus: This is a viral infection spread by dog-to-dog contact, inhalation of infected respiratory secretions, or on objects like toys, food bowls, and human hands. There are multiple forms of adenovirus which can cause acute death, chronic hepatitis, pneumonia, eye disease, kidney disease, and neurologic disease.
- Parainfluenza virus: A respiratory virus that is a common cause of “kennel cough,” or infectious tracheobronchitis. In some cases, it can progress to pneumonia. It is spread by dog-to-dog contact, inhalation of infected respiratory secretions, or on objects like toys, food bowls, and human hands.
- Parvovirus: A viral infection that attacks the cells lining the intestines and causes severe enteritis. This leads to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, shock, and sepsis. Parvovirus is shed in the feces of infected animals and is extremely resistant. It can survive up to seven months in the environment, longer if frozen through the winter.
The DAPP vaccine should be repeated every 2-4 weeks in puppies until 14-16 weeks of age. A booster vaccine is needed one year later, and then every three years.
Rabies vaccine: Rabies disease is caused by a virus that is most commonly transmitted by bite wounds. All mammals are susceptible to rabies infection, and skunks, bats, raccoons, and coyotes are the most common wildlife species to transmit the virus to dogs and cats. Once symptoms begin, rabies is untreatable and fatal. The first vaccine is given at 14-16 weeks old. A booster vaccine is needed one year later, and then every three years. This vaccine is required by Cook County and Illinois law in all dogs.
Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Bordetella is a bacterial organism that is a common cause of infectious tracheobronchitis, often called “kennel cough.” The clinical signs of a Bordetella infection are indistinguishable from a Parainfluenza virus infection. Like parainfluenza infection, Bordetella can also progress to pneumonia. It is spread by dog-to-dog contact, inhalation of infected respiratory secretions, or on objects like toys, food bowls, and human hands. This vaccine is recommended in dogs that will be social with or have contact with other dogs. The Bordetella vaccine is given annually in intranasal, intraoral, or injectable forms. The injectable form requires a booster vaccine 2-4 weeks after the first vaccine is given.
Leptospirosis: A bacterial organism that can cause variable degrees of liver disease and kidney disease, and can be fatal. It is transmitted in the urine of infected animals. Rats and raccoons are common maintenance hosts of the disease. Leptospirosis vaccination is recommended in most dogs that live in Chicago due to the high concentration of rats in the city. Initial vaccination requires two vaccines given 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annual revaccination.
Canine Influenza Virus: Influenza virus causes respiratory disease varying from mild coughing to severe, life-threatening pneumonia. It is transmitted through dog-to-dog contact, inhalation of infected respiratory secretions, or on objects like toys, food bowls, and human hands. This vaccine is recommended in dogs that will be social with or have contact with other dogs. Initial vaccination requires two vaccines given 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annual revaccination.
Lyme Disease: A bacterial organism, Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by deer tick bites. In dogs, infection can be asymptomatic for months, until signs of arthritis emerge. Chronic Lyme disease can also lead to kidney damage. Lyme disease vaccination is recommended in dogs that live in or travel to areas with high concentrations of ticks, such as the northeastern United States, northern parts of the Midwest, and the coastal Pacific Northwest. It is also recommended in dogs that frequently go hiking with owners in heavily wooded areas. Initial vaccination requires two vaccines given 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annual revaccination.
PUPPY AND KITTEN SERIES OF VACCINES
When your pet is a puppy or kitten, the need to build up their immunity over through an initial series of vaccines over several weeks. It’s often best to split them up separately so your pet is not receiving all their vaccines in one visit. Our typical timeline is as follows:
- DAPP will begin at 6-8 weeks and continue with 3 more boosters every 3-4 weeks after the initial vaccine. Adults will receive this vaccine every 3 years after the initial series.
- Rabies is given once between 14-16 weeks (but can be given as early as 12 weeks), then every 3 years. This vaccination can also be given with DAPP (call us for more details).
- Leptospirosis can begin as early as 8 weeks and will continue after 12 weeks with a booster 2-4 weeks later, and then annually.
- Lyme we give once at 12 weeks, then a booster within a few weeks, and then annually.
- FVRCP will begin at 6-8 weeks and continue with more boosters every 3-4 weeks after the initial vaccine. Adults will receive this vaccine every 3 years after this initial series.
- Rabies is given once between 14-16 weeks, and then annually.
- FeLV we give at 8-9 weeks with a booster 3-4 weeks later, and then annually.
If you have any questions about cat and dog vaccinations, please reach out and ask. You can call us at (312) 753-5551, stop in, or book an appointment using our online form.