Vaccines

Vaccine Reactions

With vaccination commonly recommended annually, most pet owners are accustomed to taking their pets to the vet for "yearly shots." It seems such a commonplace part of routine pet care that many people do not think about what is actually occurring within their pet's body. In fact, immunization represents stimulation of the immune system, an inherently inflammatory process.

It is typical for some joint or muscle soreness to occur after vaccination, for lethargy to be observed, or for a mild fever to be present for a day or two. These reactions are not serious and generally go unnoticed. Pets may eat, drink, and exercise normally after vaccination if they want to; it is the more serious allergic reactions that need to be distinguished from the above expected phenomena.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Allergic reactions are highly individual inflammatory responses against specific proteins entering the body. These proteins can be pollens, dusts, foods, medications, or even vaccines. The time frame after vaccination can be immediate (the "Type I" reaction) or anytime in the next 48 hours (the "Type IV" or "Delayed Hypersensitivity" reaction.) An allergic reaction might include hives, facial swelling, or even nausea. More serious reactions can include shock or sudden death ("anaphylaxis").

WHAT TO DO DURING A REACTION

If your pet is having a reaction more severe than just some general malaise or soreness, you should let your veterinarian know right away. Vomiting may be a sign of an on-coming serious reaction, or could represent something as mild as car sickness. If vomiting is observed, let your veterinarian know right away.

Anti-inflammatory injections can be used to halt the inflammatory cascade before it gets dangerously out of hand. Be sure you know who to call in case of problems after your pet is vaccinated. If it is after-hours, it is prudent to consult the local emergency clinic. Local emergency clinic contact information is listed on the back of this brochure.

WHAT TO DO IN THE FUTURE FOR THE PET WHO HAS HAD REACTIONS

There are many steps that can be taken to prevent allergic vaccine reactions:

AVOID LEPTOSPIROSIS VACCINE

The leptospirosis portion of the DHLPP (distemper) vaccine for dogs has a reputation for being the most likely portion to cause vaccine reactions. You can request that this portion be left out of your dog's vaccine.

AVOID GIVING SEVERAL VACCINATIONS AT ONE TIME

We recommend giving only one vaccine at a time. This minimizes the challenge to your pet's immune system and, in the event of a vaccine reaction, allows the veterinarian to determine which vaccine may be problematic for your pet. If your pet needs both a rabies vaccine and a DHLPP vaccine, we suggest that you separate these vaccines by at least two weeks.

DO NOT HAVE YOUR PET VACCINATED AT A VACCINE CLINIC

Our vaccine clinic is designed to provide streamlined service for healthy pets in need of their regular immunizations. Pets who have a history of vaccination reaction should only be vaccinated under the supervision of a veterinarian. A pet with a vaccine reaction history should receive some special attention in the form of observation in the hospital and/or pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory medication. If you are aware a vaccine reaction in your pet's past, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to booster your pet's vaccines.

BE SURE YOUR VETERINARIAN IS AWARE OF YOUR PET'S HISTORY OF VACCINE REACTION

We have seen many people at vaccination clinics wait until after the animal has been vaccinated before informing our staff that the pet has a history of reactions. It may sound obvious, but it is important to bring any adverse history to the attention of your veterinarian before your pet is vaccinated.

BE PREPARED TO PAY FOR EXTRA PRE-MEDICATIONS AND/OR OBSERVATION IN THE HOSPITAL

Medications can be used to "head off" allergic reactions before they happen and with the use of these medications it is possible that a reacting pet can be vaccinated normally. To be safe, it is frequently recommended that the pet be observed for the day after vaccination, despite the medication. Consult your veterinarian regarding his/her recommendation.

A FINAL NOTE

Vaccination reactions severe enough to produce shock are EXTREMELY rare and are a function of an individual pet's immune response. Vaccination is an important part of responsible pet ownership and should not be omitted without specific veterinary guidance.

Cat Vaccines

RECOMMENDED FELINE VACCINES

FVRCP: Distemper or 4-in-one shot. Protects against distemper and the major feline respiratory diseases.
RABIES: Recommended for all cats.*
FeLV: Feline leukemia vaccine that protects against the leukemia virus. †
FeLV Test: Blood test for the leukemia virus. Recommended for all cats. Cats can be tested at any age.
FIV Test: Blood test for the feline immunodeficiency virus. Recommended for all cats over 4 months of age.

If your cat has had reactions to vaccines in the past, has a sibling that has been diagnosed with a vaccine induced cancer, has a serious medical problem, or is over 10 years of age, please consult your veterinarian before giving any vaccine.

Please note that the PureVax rabies vaccine manufactured by Merial is not associated with inflammatory-induced cancer. PureVax is available upon request, and must be boostered annually.

KITTEN VACCINE SCHEDULE
  • 8 weeks 1st FVRCP
  • 10 weeks † 1st FeLV
  • 12 weeks 2nd FVRCP
  • 13 weeks † 2nd FeLV
  • 16 weeks FeLV/FIV test, Rabies, final FVRCP
  • 1 Rabies vaccine, then begin triennials schedule 1 year later
  • FeLV/FIV test
MATURE CAT VACCINE SCHEDULE

Without known vaccination history, we recommend:

  • 2 FVRCP vaccines given 3-4 weeks apart; booster 1 year later, then booster every 3 years
  • FeLV series; booster 1 year later, then booster every 3 years†

The following are guidelines for a vaccine maintenance schedule for your cat over its lifetime, once your cat has completed one of the vaccination protocols outline above. In order to minimize your cat's risk of having an adverse reaction to a vaccination, we recommend giving only 1 vaccine at a time.

INDOOR CATS WHO: SHOULD RECEIVE
Never go outside
or
Go out on deck and/or on supervised excursions outside, but who have no contact with other cats.
or
Have only a small to moderate chance of getting out & making contact with other cats or wildlife 		FVRCP every 3 years Rabies every 3 years
INDOOR/OUTDOOR CATS WHO: SHOULD RECEIVE
Roam and have occasional encounters with other cats/wildlife. FVRCP every 3 years
Rabies every 3 years
FeLV every 3 years
Roam and have frequent encounters with other cats/wildlife, with resulting bite wounds/abscesses. FVRCP every 3 years Rabies every 3 years
FeLV every year
FeLV/FIV test yearly
NOTE: Show cats and cats that are boarded or frequently get in fights may be at increased risk, and may receive annual FVRCP and FeLV boosters. Please notify us if you think your cat may need more frequent vaccination.  

* NOTE: Rabies vaccine is required by law for all cats in Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, San Mateo, and all unincorporated areas of San Mateo County, which includes most coastal communities.

† NOTE: FeLV vaccination is only recommended for cats who go outdoors.

FELINE VACCINES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH CANCER

Since 1991, a cancer - fibrosarcoma - has been found with increasing frequency in the nation's cat population. These cancers are found at the sites of vaccine administration and are thought to be caused by an inflammatory reaction to the vaccine. 'Killed' vaccines, which include the Leukemia and Rabies vaccines, are primarily implicated. It is currently estimated that 1 in 400 vaccinated cats will acquire this cancer.

Veterinarians are now trying to minimize the number of vaccines cats receive. There are three ways to do this: 1) give no unnecessary vaccines; 2) give necessary vaccines as infrequently as possible; and 3) give less reactive vaccines, such as the PureVax rabies vaccine, which must be boostered annually.

There is no longer a 'best' vaccine maintenance protocol - only one that is best for your cat and its lifestyle. Our vaccination recommendations are adapted from the vaccine guidelines of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Please note that some of these recommendations do not follow the manufacturers' suggested booster regimens. We recommend giving kittens only one vaccine at a time and giving adult cats only one vaccine per year, whenever possible

If your cat has had reactions to vaccines in the past, has a sibling that has been diagnosed with a vaccine induced cancer, has a serious medical problem, or is over 16 years of age, please consult your veterinarian before giving any vaccine.

At Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital we give all vaccines subcutaneously (by injection under the skin, rather than into muscle). We use the following sites for vaccinations:

  • FVRCP Right shoulder (over shoulder blade/scapula)
  • Rabies Right hind leg (as low on leg as possible)
  • FeLV Left hind leg (as low on leg as possible)

We recommend that you check the vaccination area for 2 to 4 weeks after vaccination. It is not uncommon for a small, firm, painless swelling to form under the skin at the site where a vaccine was injected. The lump generally resolves on its own.

If a lump is present following vaccination and it

  • increases in size one month after vaccination,
  • is larger than 2 centimeters in diameter (about the size of an olive), or
  • persists for more than 3 months after vaccination, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have the lump evaluated.

Dog Vaccines

RECOMMENDED CANINE VACCINES
DHPP (CORE VACCINE)

Distemper or 5-in-1 shot. Protects against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza,, and parvovirus. Given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. If a puppy does not start the series until after 12 weeks of age, only 2 vaccines are required 3-4 weeks apart. Breeds that have an increased susceptibility to parvo infection (Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Pit Bulls) can be given an extra vaccine at 6 months. DHPP booster intervals are variable, depending on lifestyle and vaccine history.

RABIES (CORE VACCINE)

Required for all dogs over 4 months of age in San Mateo County. The first vaccine is good for one year. Thereafter, each vaccine is good for three years.

CORONA

Protects against the corona intestinal virus. Required by many boarding facilities. Initial series of 2 shots, given 2 3 weeks apart. To maintain immunity, this vaccine should be boostered annually.

BORDATELLA

Intra-Trac II or kennel cough vaccine. Required by most boarding facilities and recommended for dogs that will be in contact with many other dogs (at the kennel, groomer, or show ring). The vaccine is administered as a single dose of drops in the nose, or as an injection. If a dog receives its first dose by injection, the dose must be repeated 2 weeks later for full effect. Thereafter, boosters may be given as a single injection or intranasal dose. It should be given at least one week before boarding. May be repeated every 6 months or annually, in order to satisfy kennel requirements.

HEARTWORM TEST

We recommend heartworm testing yearly; or every 3 years for dogs receiving continuous preventative medicine. Dogs over 6 months of age must be tested before the preventative medication is dispensed.

PUPPY VACCINE SCHEDULE

6-8 weeks - DHPP
10-12 weeks - DHLPP
14-16 weeks - DHLPP and RABIES
6 months - DHLPP (Rottweilers, Dobermans, Pit Bulls)

MATURE DOG VACCINE SCHEDULE

If there is no known vaccination history, we recommend:
2 DHLPP vaccines, given 3 4 weeks apart
RABIES vaccine, good for one year
Heartworm test and preventive medication

If a mature dog is being kept up to date on vaccines, we recommend:
1 DHLPP given one year after initial series
DHLPP booster every 2-3 years thereafter
1 RABIES vaccine, good for one year
RABIES booster once every 3 years thereafter

In most adult dogs all vaccinations can be given at the same time. However, for puppies, adult miniature breeds, and those dogs who have had a reaction to a vaccine in the past, we recommend giving each of the vaccines separately. If your dog has had a vaccine reaction in the past, please schedule an appointment with a veterinarian for vaccinations.

Please note that at least one week is required for maximum efficacy of all vaccines. We ask that you keep this in mind when making plans to board your animals.