Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important part of your pet’s health care routine. By having your pet vaccinated protection is achieved against a number of diseases, some of which are zoonotic and of importance to humans as well.
A zoonosis or zoonotic disease is an infectious disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans, e.g. rabies.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines help prepare your pet’s immune system to fight the invasion of specific disease-causing organisms. It stimulates the immune system and produces antibodies.
If a pet is later exposed to the same disease, these antibodies will recognise and fight the disease, preventing illness or reducing the severity of the illness.
It is important to remember that vaccines are preventative rather than curative. Vaccinating an already sick pet will not cure it and it is also not advised.
Diseases that can be prevented through vaccination
In dogs – Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, Canine Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough and Rabies. (Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough vaccines are not regarded as core vaccines, it is an additional vaccine thatcan be added to your pet’s vaccination schedule)
In cats – Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calici- and Herpesviruses, Feline Leukemia and Rabies
Puppies and kittens
Image: Google images
When puppies and kittens are born their immune systems are not yet mature. They receive antibodies through the mother’s milk. However, the protection received naturally through maternal antibodies can interfere with early vaccination, making it difficult to pinpoint when vaccines stimulate immunity and when a puppy or kitten is susceptible to infection. This is why puppies and kittens need vaccinations several times during the first few months of their life. That way, if maternal antibodies interfere with early vaccination, later doses will stimulate the puppy or kitten’s immune system to produce antibodies.
Research shows that vaccinating every 3-4 weeks until or after 16 weeks of age provides optimal protection capasity. Puppies typically start their vaccination schedule at 6-8 weeks of age and kittens are vaccinated from 9 weeks of age.
Depending on risk factors, and vet recommendation, puppies and kittens are vaccinated again between 6-9 months of age or a year after the previous vaccination.
Adult dogs and cats
Adult dogs and cats typically receive a booster vaccination annually with a rabies vaccination at least every 3rd year. If an adult dog or cat has never received a vaccination it should receive a series of 2 vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart, then annually thereafter with a rabies vaccination at least every 3rd year.
It is recommended to add the leptospirosis and kennel cough vaccines to your dog’s annual vacciatnion schedule.
Rabies vaccination
Rabies is an extremely dangerous and deadly disease for which there is no cure. It is an important zoonosis in South Africa claiming human and animal lives annually.
Rabies is preventable through vaccination!
Pets are required by law to have a valid rabies vaccination status.
Are there any side-effects?
Unfortunately, a completely risk-free vaccine does not exist. As with any medical procedure, there is a small chance for an adverse reaction to develop as a result of the vaccine. The benefits of vaccinating your pet far outweigh the risk of a reaction.
Mild reactions can show within several hours to a day after vaccination and only last a day or 2. e.g. Discomfort at the vaccination site; mild fever, lethargy, and the development of a small, firm, non-painful swelling under the skin at the vaccination site(this usually subsudes within a month or 2 of vaccination)
Some pets may develop facial swelling or hives and will need to be seen by their veterinarian for treatment.
Remember to alert your veterinarian at the affected pet’s next vaccination if it ever had an adverse reaction to previous vaccinations.
Don’t wait, vaccinate!
Deworming
Hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms are common internal parasites of dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens are susceptible to roundworms and can be infected at birth from the mother. Roundworms can be passed on to humans if the eggs are ingested. Fleas also act as hosts for tapeworm.
How do pets pick up worms?
Image: Google images
- Licking a contaminated area or drinking contaminated water.
- Sniffing around parks and fields eggs are picked up on their fur and paws and a pet then ingest these eggs while grooming.
- iIngestion during a flea infestation
- Scavenging or hunting birds, mice, moles, etc.
- Puppies and kittens can pick up worms through the placenta before birth or through maternal milk if the mother is infected
How do I know if my pet has worms?
- Some pets will scoot their bums along the ground.
- Swollen stomach
- Loss of appetite
- Dull lifeless coat
- Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
In severe cases, tapeworm segments are released with the stool and are clearly visible in the stool and around the anus. These segments look like grains of rice.
Is a worm infestation dangerous?
A heavy worm infestation can lead to bloody diarrhoea, anemia and even death.
Another danger lies in the transmission from pet to human, where worms can cause serious health problems too.
How do I treat my pet for worms?
It is recommended that you deworm your pet every 3 to 4 months. Deworming tablets can be purchased from your local veterinary clinic or vetshop and is dosed according to your pet’s weight, therefore it is important to the correct weight of your pet when purchasing deworming medication.
A wide variety of deworming medications are availble in various formulations, including tables and spot-on topical products.
It is advised to deworm all the pets in the household, especially if worms is suspected or diagnosed in one pet.
If you have any further questions about vaccinations and deworming, please contact your veterinarian.
*This article was reviewed and approved by a veterinarian.
Updated 19/07/2024
