Animal Health Center of Madison

Why Vaccinate

Just as in humans, vaccinating your pets is their best defense against infectious disease. Vaccinations are one of the many important preventive measures you can take for the health of your pet.

Why the changes in our vaccine protocol?

Recent studies have shown that vaccines protect dogs and cats for longer periods than previously believed. There have also been many improvements in the type of vaccines produced. Some evidence exists that over-vaccination could be potentially harmful to our pet's, therefore a growing number of veterinarians are recommending reducing the frequency of vaccinations or tailoring their administration to meet the pet's specific risk situation.
To assist veterinarians in making vaccine recommendations, a group of infectious disease experts, immunologists, researchers, and practicing veterinarians have developed sets of guidelines for vaccination protocols for both dogs and cats. These vaccines are divided into core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are generally recommended for all dogs and cats and protect them against diseases that are more serious or potentially fatal. These diseases are typically found throughout North America and are more easily transmitted than non-core diseases. Non-core vaccines are reserved for patients at specific risk for infection due to exposure or lifestyle. For more information about new veterinary vaccine protocols follow the link provided to the American Animal Hospital Association.

Canine Vaccine Protocols

Feline Vaccine Protocols

So how often should my pet be vaccinated?

Make sure your pet completes the initial series of core vaccines administered at the puppy and kitten stage of life, as well as booster vaccinations at one year of age. Following these boosters, core vaccines are administered every 3 years. Rabies vaccination is governed by municipality which in Mississippi is every 3 years following the initial puppy series. Non-core vaccines are administered based on risk and the lifestyle of the pet. This may require yearly or twice yearly vaccination schedules based on the disease.



Does this mean I only need to see my veterinarian every 3 years?

Regular wellness examinations - at least once yearly - are the most important preventative measure that you can provide your pet. Vaccinations are just one component of the wellness visit. To help keep your pet in optimum health, regular wellness examinations are critical - regardless of how often vaccines are administered. Remember dogs and cats age at a much faster rate than humans, so a once yearly exam is similar to a human getting a physical every 5-7 years. Plus our pets do not always show signs of early disease and they cannot easily communicate discomfort to us. During the wellness exam, your veterinarian has an opportunity to detect and prevent problems at an early stage. For more information about veterinary wellness exams follow the link provided to the American Animal Hospital Association:

Wellness Exams


How does a vaccine work?

When your pet receives a vaccine, its immune system produces special substances called antibodies that work against viruses or bacteria that cause the disease. Later, if your dog is exposed to that same disease, these antibodies will help them destroy those viruses or bacteria. In many cases, vaccines of several diseases are combined, reducing the number of shots your pet receives at one time.


Why do puppies and kittens require more shots than older dogs?

Puppies and kittens immune systems can't fight off disease as well as older pets. The protection received naturally though their mother's milk can interfere with early vaccinations, making it difficult to pinpoint when vaccines stimulate immunity. This is why puppies need vaccinations several times during their first months of life. That way, if maternal antibodies interfere with early vaccinations, later doses will still stimulate the puppy to produce its own antibodies to the disease.

What possible risks are associated with vaccinations?

Severe reactions to vaccinations are uncommon. Your pet is at a higher risk of contracting an infectious disease than experiencing side effects from a vaccination. Talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns about vaccinating your pet and to find out more about the risks associated with vaccinations.

Canine Vaccinations

Parvo is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, and can lead to dehydration, shock, and death. We see this mainly in younger puppies but it can affect any unvaccinated dog. It is transmitted through an infected dog's feces, but it can be rapidly transported on dogs' hair and feet, peoples clothing and shoes, as well as water bowls and other objects.

Distemper is also seen mainly in puppies but can affect older dogs. It can cause diarrhea, pneumonia, seizures, fever, muscular twitches, watery discharge from the eyes, paralysis, and death.

Corona Virus is another highly contagious disease which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. It can also cause excessive thirst, weight loss, listlessness and loss of appetite. Corona can affect dogs of all ages, but puppies most severely.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by contact with the urine of infected animals and can lead to permanent kidney damage. It is of particular concern in areas of major flooding because it can be spread to other pets, as well as to humans.

Bordetella/Parainfluenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease which causes dogs to cough, sneeze, and gag. Because this airborne disease is so readily spread from dog to dog, vaccinations are recommended for all dogs.

Rabies is a viral disease that can affect all warm-blooded mammals. The virus infects cells of the nervous system, and causes behavioral abnormalities such as unusual aggression or withdrawal. Once the signs of rabies appear, the disease is always fatal. Rabies is usually transmitted by bite wounds, often from infected wildlife. The state of Mississippi requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated for rabies.

Adenovirus is a worldwide disease of dogs. It infects a wide range of tissues, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. Infected dogs typically develop a fever and abnormal bleeding, and experience loss of white blood cells. Death, chronic hepatitis or severe illness may occur, and recovery may be gradual in nonfatal cases. Adenovirus is shed in the urine and can survive outside the host for weeks or months.

Lyme is a tick-borne disease which puts any dog at risk. It can cause painful inflammation of joints and often leads to lameness. Causes of Lyme disease are increasing and it has been reported in both rural and urban areas all across the country.

Feline Vaccinations

Leukemia suppresses the cat's immune system, leaving it unable to fight off other infections, such as pneumonia. Leukemia can also cause cancer in a small portion of cats. If permanent infection of this infection occurs, death always results. Since there is no cure for this disease and vaccinating a cat that already has the virus will not help, we always recommend testing the cat before giving the vaccine. The test only takes a few minutes to run and requires only a few drops of blood. The disease is highly contagious to other cats. 

Panleukopenia and feline distemper are common and can affect cats of all ages. It's almost impossible to prevent exposure, so all cats should be vaccinated. These diseases can cause fever, appetite loss, vomiting diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, tremors, and loss of coordination. Death can occur within a week. 3/4 of the kittens that get FPL die; about half of older infected cats die.

Rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus is a widespread and severe upper respiratory virus that poses a serious threat to cats of all ages. Once exposed, the virus can cause symptoms on and off for the cat's lifetime. These symptoms include loss of appetite, moderate fever, tearing, discharges from the eyes and nose, open-mouth breathing, coughing, and salivation.

Rabies is a viral disease that can affect all warm-blooded mammals. The virus infects cells of the nervous system, producing behavioral abnormalities, such as unusual aggression or withdrawal. Once the signs of rabies appear, the disease is always fatal. Rabies is transmitted by bite wounds, often from infected wildlife. The state of Mississippi requires all cats and dogs to be vaccinated against rabies.