As pet sitter here at Pink Pet Pal, I’m passionate about the health of all the animals in my care. That’s why I want to share some important information about pet vaccinations. Let me me say first that your Veterinarian is the expert when it comes to all medical questions. But always come prepared with research. Let this article serve as a briefing for some aspects of vaccinations that you may want to further educate yourself.
Vaccinating your beloved pets is one of the most important things you can do to ensure their health and well-being. Vaccines help protect against a variety of serious and potentially fatal diseases. They work by stimulating your pet’s immune system to produce antibodies to fight specific diseases, and preventing future infections.
They protect against highly contagious and sometimes deadly diseases such as:
- Dogs: Distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, rabies
- Cats: Feline leukemia, calicivirus, panleukopenia, rabies
Thimerosal-Free Vaccines: A Personal Note
I’ve known about Thimerosal my entire life because my mom and I are both allergic to it. Don’t worry if this is the first you’ve heard of it. Even many human medical professionals are unfamiliar with it. However, it’s something everyone should familiarize themselves with.
Thimerosal, which contains mercury, has been used since the 1930s as a preservative in many drugs and vaccines. It’s been largely phased out of childhood vaccines for humans, but pet parents are still seeking thimerosal-free options for their animals. For example, IMRAB is a thimerosal-free rabies vaccine for dogs, introduced in 2003 by Merial, that does not contain mercury. I suggest you bring the subject up with your veterinarian before your pet’s vaccination appointment to make sure that they have a mercury free vaccine product in house and ready to be used.
Potential Concerns about Thimerosal,
Adjuvants: What You Need to Know
Adjuvants are substances added to some vaccines to boost the immune response. Manufacturers add them in an effort to help the body produce more antibodies and provide longer-lasting protection. Generally, the longer-lasting (e.g., 3-year) vaccines are more likely to contain adjuvants than the 1-year vaccines, although this isn’t a universal rule.
While the medical community regards them as safe, they can sometimes cause mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever. Holistic-minded practitioners and pet owners believe that adjuvants can overstimulate the immune system and increase the risk of autoimmune diseases. However, researchers need to study thimerosal further to fully understand its effects.
Cats can be particularly sensitive to adjuvants, and in some cases, they can develop tumors (injection-site sarcomas) at the injection site. We consulted our veterinarian about 20 years ago regarding adjuvants and injection-site sarcomas. Our vet suggested we change the injection site to the leg instead of the shoulder blade location where they typically administered it. Merial offers the PURVAX feline vaccine range, which is fully adjuvant-free. Our Vet also mentioned that it may have something to do with certain familial lines of felines which have increased sensitivity to injections, however my family had the same family line of cats for over two decades and only the last surviving member of that line developed a sarcoma.
Titer Testing: Not a Replacement for Vaccination
Titer testing measures the level of antibodies in your pet’s blood. You can use this test to assess whether your pet has adequate immunity to a particular disease, potentially reducing the need for unnecessary re-vaccinations. Remember, titer testing is not always a reliable indicator of protection, and unfortunately, a good titer result does not exempt your pet from legally required vaccinations, such as rabies. More to discuss with your veterinarian and determine the best vaccination schedule.
Pink Pet Pal services pets in Lee County, Florida, and just as in the entire state of Florida, the rabies vaccination is mandatory by law for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. However, Florida Statute 828.30 section two states: “(2) A dog, cat, or ferret is exempt from vaccination against rabies if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and has certified in writing that at the time vaccination would endanger the animal’s health because of its age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations. An exempt animal must be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits.”
Rabies Vaccination:
Rabies is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans so immediate medical attention is required if exposed. According to Wikipedia on Animal Vaccination, over 59,000 humans die of the disease each year, with 99% of cases occurring because of dog bites. While those are mostly in Asia and Africa, if you are traveling to the Fort Myers area, or anywhere, always be sure your pet’s rabies tag is on him or her in case they get separated from you somehow.
Rabies Vaccination: Protect Your Pet Sitters Too!
It’s also important to keep rabies vaccinations current for practical reasons. You never know when you will need a pet sitter at the last minute due to an unexpected event. Most pet sitters, ask for proof of current rabies vaccination for all pets in their care for the safety of the sitter. No one wants to be subjected to a series of shots when they have already suffered a bite wound. I have never been bitten by a dog and for the same reasons that I am writing this article for our pets, I also am aware of the health issues that can arise from vaccinations for people too.
Breed-Specific Considerations and Our Personal Experience
Certain dog breeds may not always respond to vaccinations as expected. For instance, some breeds, have been thought to have issues producing adequate antibody levels after certain vaccinations. This doesn’t mean these breeds shouldn’t be vaccinated, but it highlights the importance of discussing your dog’s breed-specific predispositions with your veterinarian and do some more research in this article which mentions Breed Predilection. They could recommend more testing or vaccination protocols to ensure your pet is adequately protected. Your titer testing is of value here to check for antibodies. We experienced this firsthand with our own dog, a Doberman/Australian Cattle Dog mix. Despite being fully vaccinated against all common diseases, she contracted a very dangerous disease. Thankfully, she survived, but it was a harrowing experience and underscores the fact that vaccinations aren’t always 100% effective, especially in certain breeds.
Kennels and Increased Disease Risk
Boarding kennels, while sometimes necessary, can significantly increase a pet’s exposure to distemper, kennel cough, and other contagious diseases due to the proximity of many animals. If you board your pet, it’s essential to ensure the kennel requires proof of up-to-date vaccinations and practices good hygiene.
Concerns about Over-Vaccination and Autoimmune Disorders
It’s important to acknowledge that some pet owners and even some veterinary professionals have raised concerns about the potential link between over-vaccination and the development of autoimmune disorders in pets. While research in this area is ongoing and not fully conclusive, the concerns highlight the importance of thoughtful and individualized vaccination protocols. The veterinary community generally agrees that core vaccines are essential for protecting pets from serious diseases, but the frequency of re-vaccination for non-core vaccines should be discussed between you and your veterinarian, taking into account your pet’s individual risk factors, lifestyle, and health status. This discussion might include considering titer testing in some cases, and carefully weighing the potential risks and benefits of each vaccine. Ultimately, the goal is to protect your pet while minimizing the risk of adverse reactions.
Choosing the Right Vaccines and Spacing Them Out
The vaccines your pet needs will depend on several factors, including their age, lifestyle, breed, and health status. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate vaccines and create a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet’s individual needs. I recommend staying up-to-date on the legally required vaccines like rabies. I also encourage you to discuss spacing out other vaccines with your vet. This gives your pet’s body more time to cope with the immune response triggered by vaccinations, minimizing side effects.
From Ani at Pink Pet Pal: A Final Thought
I hope this article has helps you navigate the issue and ensuring happy and healthy pets for years to come. And as a pet sitter, I’m always here to help support you and your pets in any way I can! Visit my Homepage to learn more about me and my pet sitting business and get in touch with me.
