When a puppy or kitten is born, its immune system in not yet mature and wide open for infection. Fortunately, the mother produces specific milk, called colostrum, in the first few days after giving birth. The colostrum is rich in antibodies and the puppy/kitten will take on their mother's immunity. After the first couple of days, regular milk is produced and the puppy's/kitten's intestines undergo what is called closure, which means they are no longer able to take antibodies into their systems.
Maternal antibodies against different diseases wear off after different times. We do know that by 16 to 20 weeks of age, maternal antibodies are gone and the puppy/kitten must be able to continue on its own immune system.
While maternal immunity is in the puppy's/kitten's system, any vaccines given will be inactivated. Vaccines will not be able to "take" until maternal antibody has sufficiently dropped. Puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines ending at a time when we know the puppy's/kitten's own immune system should be able to respond. We could simply wait until the puppy/kitten is old enough to definitely respond as we do with the rabies vaccination but this could leave a large window of vulnerability if the maternal antibody wanes early. To give puppies/kittens the best chance of responding to vaccination, we vaccinate intermittently (usually every 2 to 4 weeks) during this period, in hope of gaining some early protection.
When a vaccine against a specific disease is started for the first time, even in adult animal, it is best to give at least two vaccinations. This is because the second vaccination will produce a much greater response if it is following a vaccine given 2 to 4 weeks prior.
What Vaccines Should My Pet Have?
What vaccines are recommended to an individual pet depend on many factors: what kind of exposure to disease does the animal have, what diseases are common in the area, what kind of stress factors are in the home situation, etc. When you consider the multitudes of vaccine types and combinations and the many different situations dogs and cats live in, it is not too surprising to find that almost every veterinarian recommends a different group of vaccines.
Core Vaccines
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has published guidelines for vaccinating your dog and cat. Vaccinations are divided into "core" vaccines that every pet should have, and "non-core" vaccines that a pet should have depending on exposure risk.
Core Vaccines For Cats
- Feline Distemper
- Rabies
Core Vaccines For Dogs
- Canine Distemper
- Rabies
- Bordetella (Protects against Kennel Cough; most veterinarians recommend for dog parks, boarding, grooming, etc.)
*The Rabies vaccine is important even for indoor-only cats & non-social dogs, but when you consider the consequences of rabies exposure and the legal consequences of owning a biting animal, it is not hard to see why this vaccine is important*
Can Vaccines Hurt My Pet?
Some muscle soreness, lethargy and mild fever persisting for a day or two are considered common reactions to stimulation of the immune system. Vaccine reactions beyond this are unusual but possible. Allergic reactions characterized usually by facial swelling and hives are strong signs that special care should be taken in administering vaccinations. Since allergic reactions potentially can become worse with each episode, it is important to take heed of these signs as severe reactions can result in shock or even death.
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