Pet Health
Vaccines

Diseases Prevented by Vaccines Required by Law

Rabies – Rabies is a deadly disease that is caused by the rabies virus from the genus lyssavirus.  Rabies is transmitted in the saliva from the bite of an infected individual.  The disease may start by displaying flu-like symptoms and then rapidly progress to an acute encephalitis.  Because the rabies virus migrates from the site of infection through peripheral nerves and into the central nervous system it is often too late to treat once clinical signs are manifested.  The CNS signs most often attributed to rabies infection are lethargy, depression, mania, excitement, and muscle paralysis.  Rabies poses a genuine threat to human beings.
The rabies vaccine is required yearly.  A three-year vaccine is also available upon request.

Diseases Prevented by Recommended Vaccines (Canine)

Distemper – A disease caused by the canine distemper virus.  Distemper is an often fatal disease of dogs, especially puppies, and is typically displayed through complications of the respiratory, central nervous, and gastrointestinal systems.
The distemper vaccine (part of the DHPP) is recommended yearly.

Hepatitis – Hepatitis is caused by the canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1).  Because of complications with the CAV-1 vaccine dogs are actually vaccinated against CAV-2, which is a respiratory virus but is serologically homogeneous to the CAV-1.  Thus, a vaccine against one viral type actually protects against both viral types.   Infectious hepatitis is a disease characterized by complications with the liver.  The most common signs are non-specific including lethargy, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
The hepatitis vaccine (part of the DHPP) is recommended yearly.

Parainfluenza – Parainfluenza is caused by the parainfluenza virus.  Flu-like symptoms are common in dogs affected by parainfluenza, and clinical signs can often look very similar to the dry, hacking cough often seen with ‘kennel cough’.
The parainfluenza vaccine (part of the DHPP) is recommended yearly.

Parvovirus – Parvo is caused by the canine parvovirus.  The parvovirus attacks the crypt cells of the small intestine.  Severe bloody diarrhea and vomiting often lead to advanced dehydration extremely rapidly.  Most clinical manifestations are related to the gastrointestinal and immunologic systems.  Parvo can be deadly, especially in puppies and is considerably prevalent in the Charleston area.
The parvo vaccine (part of the DHPP) is recommended yearly.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica – Otherwise known as kennel cough, bordetella is a coccobacillus bacterium.  Clinical signs in dogs infected with bordetella are respiratory in origin, and most commonly patients will present with a dry, hacking cough.  Bordetella is highly transmissible especially in close contact situation as is typical in a kennel or boarding facility. 
The bordetella vaccine is recommended yearly.

Diseases Prevented by Optional Vaccines (Canine)

Lyme – Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete bacteria borrelia burgdorferi.  Most cases of lyme disease are exhibited by depression, anorexia, and arthritis, but the cardiac, renal, and neurologic systems.  Although lyme disease is a vector transmitted disease (tick borne), it is the same disease that affects humans.
The lyme vaccine is given upon request once yearly.

Leptospirosis – Leptospirosis is caused by the spirochete bacteria leptospira sp.  There are mainly species (serovars) of leptospirosis and those causing disease manifest conditions of nephritis and hepatitis.  Leptospirosis is not overly common (because of vaccination) but has popped up in endemic areas recently, and can be transmitted directly to humans.
The leptospirosis vaccine is given upon request once yearly.

Diseases Prevented by Recommended Vaccines (Feline)

Rhinotracheitis (FVR) – The rhinotracheitis disease is caused by feline herpesvirus 1.  This herpes virus is transmitted via close contact and causes upper respiratory like symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, nasal and ocular discharge, and conjunctivitis.  The herpesvirus is thought to cause one-half the respiratory diseases in cats.
The rhinotracheitis vaccine (part of the ‘feline distemper’ vaccine) is recommended yearly.

Calicivirus – Calicivirus is a disease caused by the FCV.  It, like rhinotracheitis, is typically an upper respiratory disease.  Typical signs and symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and stomatitis. Caliciviral infections are usually complicated by opportunistic bacterial infections.
The calicivirus vaccine (part of the ‘feline distemper’ vaccine) is recommended yearly.

Panleukopenia – The panleukopenia disease is caused by the feline parvovirus.  Panleukopenia is frequently referred to as ‘feline distemper’.  Although the lemans term is similar to canine distemper it’s more closely related to canine parvoviral infections.  Panleukopenia attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract causing ulceration, a bloody diarrhea, and severe dehydration.  A decrease in the white blood cell count compromises the cat’s immune system and a decrease in red blood cells from bleeding results in an overall leucopenia.
The panleukopenia vaccine (part of the ‘feline distemper’ vaccine) is recommended yearly.

Chlamydia – Chlamydia, sometimes referred to as feline pneumonitis, is a mild, typically chronic upper respiratory disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci.  Chlamydia psittaci is an intracellular bacterium that usually infects the cells lining the upper respiratory tract.  Conjunctivitis, coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge are common symptoms.
The Chlamydia vaccine (part of the ‘feline distemper’ vaccine) is recommended yearly.

Diseases Prevented by Optional Vaccines (Feline)

Leukemia – Leukemia in cats is caused by the feline leukemia virus.  Leukemia is transmitted rather readily in the saliva from the bite of an infected cat.  As leukemia progresses many of the clinical signs are associated with immunosupression and may include a decrease in appetite, unkempt appearance, recurrent infections, and stomatitis.  Since leukemia is spread by contact from infected cats the leukemia vaccine is not needed for cats that have no contact with the outside world.  This is the only reason leukemia is found in the ‘optional’ section.  It is recommended if there is any threat your cat may go outside or have contact with a cat that does.
The leukemia vaccine is given upon request once yearly.

FIV – FIV is the feline immunodeficiency virus.  FIV is a retrovirus similar in make-up to HIV.  The virus attacks cells of the immune system.  If the virus is tolerated well by the infected cat then clinical signs may not be displayed for quite some time, but occasionally acute disease can by seen starting only weeks or months after infection.  Usually a more chronic manifestation is observed and recurrent infections such as stomatitis, skin disorders, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and gingivitis are sequella to a depressed immune system.  Cats will test positive for FIV if vaccinated.
The FIV vaccine is given upon request once yearly.