*****An Important Vaccination Information Letter To Our Clients*****

Dear Pet Owner,

I am writing to you today to inform you of recently reported information concerning vaccination intervals and vaccination risks in our pets.  They are much healthier and safer today due to vaccinations that prevent potentially fatal diseases such as Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), Feline Leukemia, and many others.  It would be ill-advised to allow the possibility of a vaccine reaction, which occurs in only a very small percentage of pets, to convince you not to vaccinate against preventable fatal diseases. 

Research at major universities shows that the newer, purer, more potent vaccines used by veterinarians have been improved to the point that they may now provide protection to vaccinated animals for more than one year, perhaps even for several years in some cases.  We also know that there are risks associated with the use of any vaccine or medication, and although rare, there are sometimes reactions to vaccination that may be life threatening and/or produce life threatening conditions.  No one knows for certain, yet, if vaccinating less frequently will reduce the incidence of vaccination reactions or vaccine related conditions.  The vaccines we use are labeled to be boostered with an annual revaccination after completing the initial vaccination series, and the manufacturers have proven that the vaccines will produce an acceptable level of immunity in most vaccinated animals for at least one year.  We can be most certain that pets are protected from these diseases if we adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations. However, and depending on the individual circumstances of each animal, extending the vaccination interval with the vaccines we currently use may be safe and prudent. 

All vaccines are not alike, so we believe that you should know that there are some lower quality vaccines available to the public as over-the-counter products, often at reduced cost, that may provide less purity and a lower level and duration of protection per dose while potentially increasing the risk of vaccination reactions.  We do not  recommend the use of those products.

Currently, the state of Texas requires owners of dogs and cats to have them vaccinated against rabies at three months of age, with annual revaccinations thereafter.  We will continue this recommendation for all our patients until the state rabies law is revised by the Texas legislature and other state regulations are adopted.  We will also continue offering other vaccinations as boosters as frequently as deemed necessary by Drs. Emerson and Frey, annually for some vaccines and triennially for others, unless you choose otherwise, or unless those vaccines are medically contraindicated for your pet.  Some of our friends and clients have stated they feel safer if their pets are vaccinated annually as has been done for years.  In those cases, we will adhere to their wishes.

There is good evidence obtained through thorough research indicating that not all animals need annual vaccinations, but these same studies do not tell us which ones do.  It is highly likely that  some pets, because of age, either young or old, or compromised immune systems or ill health, will always need vaccinations more frequently, rather than at intervals of 2 to 3 years.  With the technology available today, we are unable to determine which ones those are.

Young pets, both dogs and cats, starting their initial vaccination series, require annual distemper vaccinations through their 4th year of age.  Research is ongoing at this time attempting to define the true length of actual protective vaccine antibody levels for all vaccines.  Some diseases, such as Lyme disease in dogs and feline leukemia in cats, still require annual vaccinations.  It has also been learned that one or two, such as the Bordetella or canine kennel cough vaccine, should be administered every 6 months for good immunity.  Indoor/outdoor or totally outdoor cats should be tested for feline leukemia and feline AIDS annually. 

Designing an individual schedule for your pet will take extra time and effort on both our parts because consideration must be given to benefits, risks, exposures, and your preferences.  We will need to collect additional personal information about your pet in order for us to accurately assess the risks and exposures each of our patients may face.

Our goal, as always, is to provide the best in veterinary medical care for your pet to ensure the longest and healthiest life possible.  At the same time, we strive daily to maintain your good will and trust because we value you as a friend and client of Emerson Animal Hospital.

If you have questions concerning vaccinations or the infrequent reactions related to them, please do not hesitate in calling us.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Harold Ray Emerson, D.V.M.

Dog, Cat and Ferret Vaccination Recommendations

Vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases are as important for pets as they are for children!  Many deadly diseases that commonly plagued dogs and cats in the past are rarely seen today, except in unvaccinated or under vaccinated animals, simply because vaccination programs used by veterinarians are extremely effective.  

   What vaccines should dogs receive? 

• Dogs should begin their initial puppy vaccination series at 6 weeks of age.  These vaccines contain viruses which give immunity in healthy pets to canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and coronavirus and are given once monthly until the animal is approximately 5 months old.  A minimum of two vaccinations are necessary for all previously unvaccinated dogs. 
• In the past, a booster or annual vaccination was given once yearly throughout the pet's life.  Research has shown that some vaccines in our pet vaccination protocol will give longer lasting immunity against certain diseases. Distemper, parvo and corona are three of those diseases.  We are changing our recommendations for these to allow vaccination once every 3 years, rather than annually.
• Leptospirosis, a severe kidney disease which has been included as a portion of this series, will still require annual vaccination. 
•  Rabies vaccination is given at 12 weeks of age.  If a dog has never had a rabies vaccination before it must be given a second vaccination within one year, and then in Texas because of our severe rabies problem and local municipal requirements, an annual rabies vaccination is required.    
•  Lyme vaccine is important in our area if your pet will be exposed to ticks.  The first Lyme vaccination is given at 12 weeks of age.  A second dose is given 4 weeks later.  Lyme vaccine is then once yearly after that. 
•  Bordetella vaccine protects against some forms of tracheobronchitis or canine kennel cough.  It is  required if your dog is visits boarding facilities while you are on vacation or away, or is in dog shows, or is in any way exposed to many other dogs, and it helps prevent this frequently diagnosed disease.  New information indicates that this vaccine should be given once every 6 months for good protection for your pet. 

  What vaccines should cats receive? 

• Cats should begin their initial kitten vaccination series at 6 weeks of age.  These vaccines contain viruses which give immunity in healthy pets to feline panleukopenia(distemper), rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and chlamydia and are given once monthly until the animal is approximately 5 months old.  All cats that have never been vaccinated need a minimum of two vaccinations.
• In the past, a booster or annual vaccination was given once yearly.  Research has shown that some vaccines in our pet vaccination protocol will give longer lasting immunity against certain diseases. Distemper and rhinotracheitis, the 2 main portions of the annual feline distemper vaccination, are two of these diseases.  We are changing our recommendations for these to allow vaccination once every 3 years, rather than annually. 
•  Rabies vaccination is given at 12 weeks of age.  If a cat has never had a rabies vaccination before it must be given a second vaccination within one year, and then in Texas because of our severe rabies problem, an annual rabies vaccination are required.  At this time (September, 2002), a discussion is occurring in our state, and it is definitely possible that the legislated vaccination interval will be changed from the long standing annual vaccination protocol to a 3 year rabies vaccination interval.  The decision on this question will be made in Austin within the first 6 months of 2003.
•  Feline leukemia vaccine is initially given to kittens 9 weeks of age or older.  A second vaccination is given approximately one month later. All cats need a minimum of two vaccinations initially, followed by a yearly booster.  Cats that are allowed outside at any time  must be tested annually for feline leukemia and feline AIDS (This is a virus totally unrelated to the virus that causes Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome.  There is NO evidence to indicate humans can be infected by this virus, so DO NOT worry about this aspect of the disease.)
   
• What vaccines should ferrets receive?
   
• Ferrets should begin their initial vaccination series at 6 to 8 weeks of age.  This first vaccine contains a virus that gives immunity in healthy pets to canine distemper, and it is given once monthly until the animal is approximately 5 months old.  Ferrets are extremely susceptible to this disease, and many unvaccinated ferrets die if they contract distemper.  There is no treatment, so vaccination is the only prevention.  A minimum of two vaccinations are necessary for all ferrets not previously vaccinated.  A booster or annual vaccination is then given yearly.  The vaccine used is one made specifically for ferrets. 
•  Rabies vaccination is given at 12 weeks of age.  If a ferret has never had a rabies vaccination before it must be given a second vaccination within one year, and then in Texas because of our severe rabies problem, an annual rabies vaccination is required.  

   Research in progress

At this time there are many research projects in progress studying vaccination intervals, the length of vaccine produced immunity and the reaction of pets to vaccines to determine if any other changes should be made in any of these recommended procedures for the safety of our pets.  Risk factors, such as whether a cat lives indoors or outdoors, may influence how often some vaccinations are required.