With all the publicity about vaccinations for humans, more and more clients are probably coming into your office and asking which vaccines are really necessary for their pet and how often should they get them.

The answer is: It depends. The type and frequency of vaccinations depends on the age, breed, and health status of the animal; the potential for disease exposure; whether the animal is used for breeding; and the geographical area where the animal lives or may visit.

Often, your office manager or receptionist may be unprepared to answer questions about vaccinations. Here are some common questions asked by pet owners and the answers you may pass on to your staff and clients.

Common Questions about Pet Vaccinations

Question #1 When should my puppy/kitten receive their first vaccinations?

Answer: Below are nationwide recommendations by the American Kennel Club. However, if certain diseases, such as hepatitis, are not present in your area, there is no need for your puppy to be vaccinated.

The schedule below is for the average indoor house cat. If your kitten stays outside for significant periods of time, recommendations will change.

Question #2 What happens if my puppy or kitten misses a vaccination or booster?

Answer: It’s vitally important your young animal gets all its shots and boosters. If you miss one, schedule it as soon as possible. If you have a mature animal, being a little late shouldn’t pose a big problem though.

Question #3 If my animal is ill or has a chronic condition, should it be vaccinated?

Answer: It depends. If your veterinarian hasn’t already told you not to bring in your pet for vaccination, bring it in, but make sure to tell the veterinarian your animal is sick and its symptoms.

Question #4 How often should my pet be vaccinated?

Answer: After the initial one-year booster for puppies and kittens, your dog or cat should receive most vaccinations, including canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus (CAV), and rabies, every 3 years if they are low risk.

Recommendations for cats depend on whether vaccinations are killed or not killed, injected or intranasal. In general, after your cat has received its standard 6-month or 1-year booster, adult cats can receive the combination vaccine for feline herpesvirus 1, calicivirus, and panleukopenia, as well as the killed rabies virus, every 3 years.

Cat owners: There is clear evidence for minimizing the frequency of vaccination in felines in light of the appearance of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. If your cat develops a bump at the site of a vaccination, contact your veterinarian.

Question #5 How do I know if my cat or dog is having a bad reaction to a vaccine?

Answer: Just like in humans, pets may experience mild side effects that should last no longer than a day or two. They include:

• Discomfort and local swelling where they were vaccinated
• Mild fever
• Decreased appetite and activity
• Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs (may occur up to 5 days after an intranasal vaccine)

If your pet experiences any of the following, seek veterinary care immediately:

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Itchy skin that may seem bumpy ("hives")
• Swelling of the muzzle and around the face, neck, or eyes
• Severe coughing or difficulty breathing
• Collapse

As always, if you have questions or concerns, call your veterinarian.

Sources:

http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/puppy-shots-complete-guide/

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2143&aid=951

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/internal_medicine/newsletters/vaccination_protocols.cfm

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/What-to-expect-after-your-pets-vaccination.aspx