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Q: When should my pet be vaccinated?
A: Your pet must be
vaccinated on a regular basis. The first vaccinations must be given at 8 weeks. Boosters
(extra injections to ensure immunity) will have to be administered at the ages of 12 weeks.
After this period,
your pet should be vaccinated yearly. You will be sent a reminder card if you use Dr.
Nonie Coutts' service. When your pet is vaccinated for the first time you will be given a
Vaccination Record Book. Keep this book and bring it with you whenever your pet is
re-vaccinated.
Q. Why is vaccination so important for your pet?
CATS |
Feline panleukopenia (Feline infectious enteritis) - This is a highly contagious disease with a sudden onset of diarrhoea, vomiting, nervous signs and possibly heart failure. Some cats can die within 24 hours where others will only have a mild fever and then recover. Cats of all ages are susceptible but young cats are most commonly affected. Effective vaccines have made this an uncommon disease.
Cat flu - Cat flu can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. The main culprits are Feline herpesvirus (also known as Feline Rhinotracheitis virus), Feline Calicivirus and Chlamydophila felis. Cat flu usually starts off with mild sneezing and eye discharge. This can progress to severe sneezing with greenish discharge from the eyes and nose. Herpesvirus can cause ulcers on the eye and Calicivirus can cause ulcers in the mouth and tongue. Chlamydophila felis is a common cause of conjunctivitis (painful runny eyes). Although cat flu seldom causes death in healthy cats it can kill young kittens or elderly cats. Once cats recover they remain carriers for long periods (lifelong in the case of herpesvirus). This means that they can get sick again especially when stressed and spread it to other cats sometimes without being sick themselves. The normal vaccination contains both calici and feline herpesvirus. Vaccination doesn't stop cats being carriers and mainly due to the problem of carrier cats it is not always effective. It will however help to prevent severe disease and is therefore recommended.
Chlamydophila is a separate vaccination only given in special circumstances as the immunity doesn't last very long.
Feline leukaemia virus - Feline leukaemia can cause cancer, suppress the immune system and cause anaemia in cats. It is usually fatal. It is mainly transmitted by exchange of saliva e.g. when cats lick or groom each other. Feline leukaemia is very uncommon in Bahrain and therefore the risk of your cat contracting Feline Leukaemia is very low compared to Feline Aids. There is a vaccine available but we do not vaccinate routinely due to the low risk.
Rabies - Rabies is an extremely dangerous disease as it can be transmitted to humans if they are bitten by a rabid animal. If this is not treated early enough it is fatal. Bahrain is recognised as a rabies free country but if you plan to travel with your cat a rabies vaccination is necessary. If your cat is on the Pet Passport Scheme it also needs a microchip implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination and, one month later, a blood test for rabies antibodies. If your cat passes the test and has enough antibodies (0.5 iu/ml) you need to give the rabies vaccination every year BEFORE or ON the due date otherwise the blood test becomes invalid and you have to do it again.
Feline Aids (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) - This disease is common amongst feral cats in Bahrain. It is mainly transmitted by biting therefore cats that fight are most at risk. THE DISEASE IS NOT TRANSMISSABLE TO HUMANS. Symptoms include weight loss, fever, painful inflamed gums and chronic infection. We can test your cat for Feline Aids with a quick blood test at consultation. There is a vaccine available but its efficacy is not proven so we are not using it in Bahrain. To best way to prevent exposure is to keep cats indoors only. Where this is not possible enclose them at night as this is when they are most likely to fight. We also recommend neutering to reduce fighting behaviour.
Your cat should be vaccinated against Cat flu and enteritis, with rabies if you plan to travel.
Ask your veterinary surgeon for details.
Remember - vaccination is not for life. After the initial kitten vaccinations boosters are recommended to maintain protection.
After having vaccinations some cats may feel unwell and develop a lump where the vaccination was given. This lump slowly resolves after a few days to weeks. If you are worried please contact your Vet.
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DOGS |
Parvovirus - Dogs of any age can be affected but it is most common in unvaccinated puppies under a year of age. The disease is much more severe in young pups and can be fatal. The symptoms include an initial high temperature, anorexia, vomiting, profuse bloody and smelly diarrhoea and abdominal pain. This leads to dehydration, collapse and death which can occur in as little as 24 hours. Vaccination is very effective in preventing this disease, but must be done BEFORE exposure to the virus. It is imperative to vaccinate puppies at 6-8 weeks and then monthly for another 1 to 2 doses.
Distemper - Distemper is a serious infectious disease of dogs. It can affect dogs of all ages but is most common in unvaccinated puppies under 6 months of age. Initially dogs have a high temperature, discharge from the eyes and nose, coughing, diarrhoea and vomiting. If they survive this stage they can develop nervous symptoms including fits, twitching and paralysis. The nose and footpads can also become hard and cracked. Even if dogs survive the initial stage they carry a guarded prognosis for a normal life. Vaccination largely controls this disease.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis - This disease can affect dogs of all ages. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe. In severe disease dogs can have a high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, coughing and be very reluctant to move and sometimes death. If they recover they can have "blue"eyes caused by clouding of the cornea, and can develop liver and kidney damage. Even dogs with mild disease can develop liver damage. Due to effective vaccination programmes this disease is rarely seen.
Kennel cough - Kennel cough can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. The main culprits are Canine parainfluenza virus, Canine Adenovirus and a bacteria called Bordetella. Although seldom causing death it is highly contagious. It is most commonly encountered where dogs are kept closely together for example in kennels. Signs may vary from a mild cough to severe coughing, gagging and retching. This is usually made worse by exercise. The normal vaccination contains both viruses. Bordetella is a separate vaccine that usually is given into the nostrils with a dropper. Most dogs find it quite unpleasant and therefore recommend it only if your dog is going to go into kennels. Vaccination does not always prevent disease but will make the symptoms less severe.
Leptospirosis - Leptospirosis can cause liver and kidney damage in affected animals. It is transmitted by contact with urine of infected animals (rats are a common carrier) or through environmental contamination especially damp conditions and stagnant water. There are many strains of this bacteria - the vaccine contains 2 common strains but doesn't protect against others. It is not a very common disease but humans can also be affected.
Rabies - Rabies is an extremely dangerous disease as it can be transmitted to humans if they are bitten by a rabid animal. If this is not treated early enough it is fatal. Bahrain is recognised as a rabies free country but if you plan to travel with your dog a rabies vaccination is necessary.
If your dog is on the Pet Passport Scheme it also needs a microchip implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination and, one month later, a blood test for rabies antibodies. If your dog passes the test and has enough antibodies (0.5 iu/ml) you need to give the rabies vaccination every year BEFORE or ON the due date otherwise the blood test becomes invalid and you have to do it again.
Your dog should be vaccinated against all of these major canine diseases.
Ask your veterinary surgeon for details.
Remember - vaccination is not for life. After the initial puppy vaccinations annual boosters are recommended to maintain protection.
After having vaccinations some dogs may feel unwell and develop a lump where the vaccination was given. This lump slowly resolves after a few days to weeks. If you are worried please contact your Vet.
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