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WINTER NEWSLETTER 2003
VACCINATION - SPECIAL ISSUE
In this issue we will be focusing on the importance of vaccination and new research by drugs companies that allows us to offer your pets the best protection against many life-threatening diseases.
The course of vaccinations is best started when you first acquire your pet
as a puppy or kitten, or even if he is an older rescued animal. The first
vaccination consultation gives us the opportunity to discuss any concerns
you may have about your pet. Your pet will get a full clinical examination,
we will discuss flea and worm treatment, feeding, behaviour , neutering
and for dogs and cats we can give you a voucher for 6 weeks free pet insurance.,
They will get a second booster vaccination 2-3 weeks later and here we can
talk about any other problems that may have arisen.
Boosters for adult dogs and cats are yearly. It is important to keep these up especially in older age because not only are older animals more susceptible to disease but with each full health check we can pick up any small problems such as lumps and bumps or internal problems before they escalate to a more serious level.
We can also check your pets weight and talk about any changes in feeding appropriate for his age, therapeutic options if you feel conditions like arthritis are developing and you can stock up on the most effective worm and flea treatments.
Inside this issue there is more detailed
information on cat and rabbit vaccinations, and changes in dog vaccine recommendations
By bringing in your pet regularly for an annual health check and vaccination
you are giving him the best chance for a healthy happy life.
There are 2 main vaccinations available for cats. The first one gives protection against 2 types of cat flu and a disease called feline enteritis. These diseases are highly contagious, flu can be airborne and both can be carried on clothing. They can affect any age of cat although feline enteritis is particularly dangerous to young kittens and can cause birth defects and abortion if pregnant cats are affected.
The other vaccination gives protection against feline leukaemia. This virus is carried in cats saliva and is transmitted by close contact to members of the same household and through fights. It can cause immune suppression and cancer. We would recommend all cats to be vaccinated against flu and enteritis and any cat that will be going outdoors should have the feline leukaemia vaccination as well.
Flu and enteritis are required by all good catteries and for entrance to cat shows. Vaccinations can be started at 9 weeks and 12 weeks and must be given yearly for adequate protection.
Many people do not think of vaccinating their pet rabbit but the 2 diseases which we vaccinate against are both fatal and highly contagious, being transmitted by biting insects and by objects like shoes or clothing so we feel it is very important that even house rabbits have these 2 vaccinations.
The disease most people will have heard about is myxomatosis, this causes
skin disease followed by a fatal pneumonia. The vaccination can be started
at 6 weeks of age and in high risk areas (with lots of wild rabbits) should
be given every 6 months. Indoor rabbits could be vaccinated yearly but as
the disease can be carried on fleas if there are cats in contact with the
rabbit 6 monthly vaccination is advised.
The second disease is called viral haemorrhagic disease. This causes fatal hepatitis, bleeding and sudden death. It has been seen in the Dundee area recently and can strike and spread very quickly.
Vaccination can be done from 10 weeks and gives a strong immunity so only yearly vaccinations are needed. It has to be given 2 week apart from the myxo vaccine.
Dogs have a number of components to their vaccinations. Protection is given against parvovirus, distemper & infectious hepatitis which are all very infectious diseases that very serious in puppies. These can all spread in epidemic proportions by direct contact and through contaminated objects and environments. Leptospirosis is equally serious in dogs of any age causing massive kidney and liver disease, and can also be passed to people. Infection can be by contact both with another dog but also contact with contaminated water in the town or country as it is carried by rats.
In recent years, the manufacturers of our vaccine, Intervet, have been doing
a lot of research to try and reduce the total number of vaccinations that
dogs need to be give. For a number of years wehave been following their
recommendations and alternating a full booster with a slightly smaller one
as the distemper and hepatitis components had been show to last 2 years.
Now they have been able to prove that their Parvovirus vaccine also lasts
2 years. The new recommendations now suggest 2 doses of the full vaccination
at 8 and 10 weeks or older. This is then followed by a full boostervaccination
a year later. The following year a mini booster containing only Leptospirosis
can be given and then the 2 boosters can alternate. Thus if your dog is
up to date with his boosters and gets them on time every year he may be
able to have a much smaller (and cheaper) vaccination every 2nd year.
Dogs who are going into boarding kennels may also need to have a Kennel
Cough vaccination which is given separately. This is given up the nose.
The vaccination is only licensed in the UK for 3 months which is why we
don't give it routinely with the booster. We recommend having it 2 weeks
before going into kennels for maximum protection.
For any vaccination to work properly your pet must be in good health and
not have had high doses of steroids recently. Animals should not be vaccinated
while they are pregnant, although regular vaccination is recommended in
breeding animals to ensure good protection is passed to the young.
We are very sorry to announce the departure of Chris Ditchburn one of our veterinary surgeons. Chris has been working for the practice since 1999 and has become a much valued member of the practice. In his time in the practice and through his own interests Chris has improved our dentistry and orthopaedic facilities and been our web master and computer "glitch" fixer.
Chris is leaving to work for a veterinary computer systems company and as he will be remaining locally we hope to be able to twist his arm for a few locums on the odd Saturday morning. We will miss his good humour and easy going nature and wish him all the best in his new venture.
Our new vet will be Fiona McLellan. Fiona qualified from Edinburgh and has
spent some time in mixed practice and some doing small animal locums. Some
of you will have met Fiona when she did a locum for us in September and
we have been lucky enough to persuade her to come and work for us full time.
We will tell you more about Fiona in a future issue.
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