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A Guide to Puppy, Kitten & Annual Vaccines

Dr. Pat Zook

 

View all articles by Dr. Pat Zook

A Guide to Puppy, Kitten & Annual Vaccines

The following is a guideline to vaccinations of puppies and kittens. We do vary these usual routines depending on the animal and its conditions. There is much contro­versy over frequency, type of vac­cine, and different opinions on what vaccinations are effective, as well as whether there are other options to vaccination.
 
Kittens:
 
At the age of 6-8 weeks, it is time to start the first series of vaccina­tions. We usually at that time vacci­nate for feline distemper (panleuko­penia), viral rhinotracheitis, calici­virus (FVRCP) with a killed vaccine. The vaccine is not as likely to be over-whelming to the immune system as a modified live vaccine, but must be followed by another boos­ter in 3-4 weeks to give a titer (a measure of the level of antibodies formed from exposure to the vaccine) which will be protective. Then 3-4 weeks after that we will give a dose of modified live vaccine for FVRCP which usually gives a much greater response by the body. After that the cats will get their annual booster for "distemper" (FVRCP) or blood may be drawn to determine if there has been what we assume is an adequate response to vaccination. There is some controversy about whether these annual vaccinations are neces­sary. But until further research or data is obtained, we recommend ei­ther giving annual vaccines or checking the titers from blood serum. The laboratory fees for antibody titer are higher than vaccines.
 
If the kitten/cat is going to be an indoor/outdoor cat or be exposed to cats which might be infected by the Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV), we recommend vaccinating for Feline Leukemia as well. Cats must first be tested for the virus before we give this vaccine. (We usually recommend that new kittens be tested for the virus at their first exam.) The kit­ten must be at least 12 weeks of age before receiving the FELV vaccine. This is a 2 dose vaccine; the 2nd booster must be given 3-4 weeks apart. This is to ensure protective antibody response. Therefore it is very impor­tant that you bring the cat back for their second dose of this vaccine the first year they receive it. Unfortunat­ely, the vaccine is not as highly effective as we would like it to be and sometimes even cats which have been fully vaccinated and boostered can come up feline leukemia posi­tive. Because there is not a blood serum titering technique which can measure the level of antibody res­ponse to this vaccine yet, annual boosters with this vaccine are necessary.
 
Rabies:
 
The earliest cats and dogs can be vaccinated for rabies and their vacci­nations be considered legally effec­tive (license tags, etc.) is at 3 months of age. If the pets may be too exposed to wildlife, bats, stray animals or tak­en to parks where such encounters could happen, we will give the vac­cine that early. But in most cases, we wait until the animal is 6 months old for that vaccination. There is a 3 year vaccine for rabies which we use, but not for a kitten or puppy"s first rabies shot.
 
Puppies:
 
The two most dangerous diseases of puppies, for which we immunize, are distemper and parvo. Because vaccination breaks can occur, we rec­ommend that owners be vigilant on the puppies" exposure, and limit exposure until 2 weeks after the final shot series. The parvo virus can live for two years in the ground, so not letting your puppy go where parvo dogs may have been is a good idea.
 
At 6-8 weeks we usually begin the puppy shots for distemper and parvo immunization. These are repeated every 3-4 weeks until the puppy is 4 1/2 to 5 months old. Once again we may vary the routine schedule due to exposure factors or the individual condition of the animal.
 
Usually we give the distemper­adenovirus-parainfluenza (DA2P) modified live vaccine and a killed parvo vaccine the first two shots of the series. Sometimes the distemper-­measles, adenovirus, parainfluenza (DMA2P) is the first shot depending upon the age of the puppy at his first vaccination. Then we follow it with I or 2 doses of modified live vaccine; the distemper-adenovirus-parainflu­enza-parvo (DA2PP) combination. The yearly anniversary of the last distemper-parvo vaccination is the annual re-vaccination date. Titers can be run on distemper and parvo virus to see if there is still some response to previous vaccinations instead of annual boosters. At present there does not seem to be a proven alterna­tive to the puppy immunizations. Legally, rabies vaccinations must still be given using either a 1 or 3 year vaccination. The first rabies given to a puppy is a I year vaccine only.
 
We routinely do not give the bor­detella (kennel cough) vaccination unless it is required for boarding at other facilities, showing, grooming, etc. clinically, it only seems to be protective for 6 months. Leptospira, carna and lymes are not routinely given. The exposure is limited in this area.
 
Vaccination Breaks:
 
There is no guarantee that the animal is actually immunized for what we have vaccinated it. Most of the time they are. The vaccine com­pany had to show that an acceptable number of animals have responded by being protected from challenge by that disease factor after an interval from vaccination. At the risk of over­simplifying, there are some factors which can interfere with vaccination:
 
In puppies and kittens, there are antibodies present which they have gotten from their mothers. While these antibodies protect the puppy or kitten temporarily from disease, they also can keep the animal from res­ponding to the vaccines which are given them. These maternal antibody titers begin to decline as the puppy or kitten gets older. So the series of shots which are given to a puppy or a kitten are given primarily to try to give the young animal antibodies of its own while it�s losing the protection from its mother. The schedule of the vaccination doses, tries to minimize the risk that the protective levels from the mother drop off faster than we can get the body to build its own antibodies to protect itself.
 
Other factors which can influence the ability of the body to build anti­bodies from the vaccine are stress, malnutrition, cortisone-like drugs, other diseases, aging and any other factor which might adversely affect the immune system. Therefore, all the more reason to be sure that pup­pies and kittens are dewormed. We do not want to give vaccinations at the same time the animals are having surgery or are subjected to severe stress. One other factor to remember is that there is an interval of time after the vaccination before the body responds by making the antibodies. As a rule of thumb, do not consider an animal "protected" until 2 weeks after the last dose of the series or two weeks after vaccines which have only one shot to them. With the annual boosters, we assume that the body can make the antibodies faster and boost the protective level much faster than that.
 
With some killed vaccines the immune response is not high enough to be protective until after the second dose of vaccine. (This can vary from vaccine to vaccine but is generally true. A notable exception is the rabies vaccine we use which is protective with one shot and it is a killed vac­cine.) With modified live vaccines the immune responsive is usually faster and higher, but they might be sources of vaccination reactions which might adversely affect the health of the animal over the long term. The need for protection from fatal diseases by vaccination is balanced against the small risk, but real, of vaccinations themselves.
 
Overview:
 
Kittens:
6-8 weeks: Test for FELV/FIV. First FVRCP (Feline distemper, viral rhinotracheitis, calici)
Bring stool sample: Fecal (deworm as appropriate).
Repeat FVRCP every 3-4 weeks for at least 2 more times.
 
Rabies vaccination(at 6 months, can be given as early as 3 months if exposure factors necessitate). First shot at 6 months good for 1 year; thereafter may get 1 year or 3 year vaccinations.
 
For outdoor cats or exposure risks:FELV vaccine-earliest may be given is at 12 weeks, is 2 dose series given 3-4 weeks apart and one annual booster thereafter.
 
We recommend usually waiting until at least 6 months old before spaying or neutering.
To save the discomfort of having to take a fecal sample at the exam, we encourage your bringing a stool sample, gathered soon after passing and stored in the refrigerator until delivered to us the next day. Any worms passed or strange stool, is best gathered and brought to us for examination, rather than trying to describe it to us. 
 
Puppies:
First shots at 6-8 weeks, bring stool sample, fecal, deworm as needed.
 
Repeat vaccinations for distem­per-parvo every 3-4 weeks until 4 1/2 to 5 months old. Minimize exposure factors to strange dogs/puppies, areas where sick animals may have been for the last 2 years. Be sure to disin­fect properly if you have been around sick or strange animals before petting your own puppy. Wait until 2 weeks after the last distemper-parvo vacci­nation before relaxing your vigilance.
 
Bring stool samples to each exam until we know the puppy is worm clear.
 
Start heartworm preventative before 6 months of age. Usually we start the puppy on filaribits (daily) until they have stopped growing. They can then go on the once a monthpreventative if you prefer. Unless your puppy is a collie or sheltie or a mix thereof, or unless you have other parasite re-infestation problems, we usually give the heart guard tablets or chewables as the once-a-month.
 
Rabies vaccination at 6 months unless exposure risks make it necessary to give as early as 3 months of age.
 
Spay or neuter after 6 months of age.
 
To save the discomfort of having to take a fecal sample at the exam, we encourage your bringing a stool sample, gathered soon after passing and stored in the refrigerator until delivered to us the next day. Any worms passed or strange stool, is best gathered and brought to us for examination, rather than trying to describe it to us.  
 
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Loving Touch Animal Center - 1975 Glenn Club Drive - Stone Mountain, GA 30087

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