Vaccinations are very important for not only us but our animals as well. Even though vaccinations don’t give immunity from illnesses or cure, they are still very helpful by prevention of catching certain diseases and providing exposure to build strength to fight these diseases if caught. There are  two different types of vaccinations, core or non-core; core vaccinations means they should be done unless there are a prevalent medical issues preventing vaccination and non-core vaccinations are highly recommended but are more specific based on your pet’s daily life. All pets should be vaccinated since we never know if and when we are carrying any viral infections on us (clothing, shoes, etc.) and bringing them into the home, interacting with animals carrying illnesses, or a possible escape by the “indoor only” cat that will interact with other cats in the area once outside. Most reputable trainers, groomers, boarders, and dog daycares require vaccinations before your pet can be provided a service. There are so many different vaccinations, so allow us to assist you on deciding which vaccinations are best for your pet.

We carry four canine vaccinations that are updated annually. DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvo) and DHPP is the “Distemper Series;” both vaccinations are the same except the DHLPP provides additional prevention for the Leptospirosis disease which is not included in the DHPP vaccine. Leptospirosis disease is zoonotic so you can catch this disease from your pet; this disease is contracted from contact with urine of an infected animal which occurs when dogs drink or swim in contaminated water like puddles, lakes, or streams, or when they ingest contaminated soil, food, or bedding (includes licking).  Distemper is a core vaccination since it fights against a number of viral illnesses your pet can catch, a big one being Parvo. Parvo is a highly contagious disease that effects the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and possibly death. There is no cure for this disease so we can only treat the symptoms and the immune system must do the rest, our puppies and older unvaccinated are the most at risk. The Corona and Bordetella vaccinations are not core but highly recommended and is usually required by boarding and grooming facilities. The Corona vaccination helps prevent gastro intestinal issues, meaning an upset stomach which is commonly seen as diarrhea which happens when there is oral contact with infected fecal matter, by eating/licking contaminated areas, or by direct contact with an infected dog. The Bordetella vaccination prevents against Kennel Cough which is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be spread when your pet is at the dog park, vet, groomers, or any group setting around other dogs; Kennel cough can be contracted through another dog’s cough or sneeze, and when coming into contact with surfaces covered in bacteria. We carry the intranasal version of this vaccination which means it is given through the nose rather than an injection under the skin, our vaccination also covers a strain of influenza. Each and every one of these vaccinations is important and if you believe your dog may benefit from either of the non-core vaccinations we carry, let us know and we can discuss it in your next appointment.

Our feline selection of vaccinations are the Leukemia vaccine and the CVR-C vaccine which are updated annually. The leukemia vaccination is considered a core vaccination for our indoor/outdoor cats, and especially our strictly outdoor cats. This disease is spread through saliva, so if your cat is helping groom, sharing a water source, or even sharing food bowls with an infected cat they are at risk. Feline Leukemia compromises white blood cells meaning your cat’s immune system is not strong enough to fight off various infections, so cats with FeLV will fall sick often. This disease is tested through a blood test usually performed if your pet was found outdoors or there are signs of the disease. The CVR-C (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia) vaccination is similar to the canine DHLPP/DHPP and is even referred to as the feline distemper in many settings. Feline rhinotracheitis and calicivirus are upper respiratory tract disease that will never go away if caught. This means that there are many cats that are carriers for this disease, including some you might’ve adopted, and when introduced to these carrier cats the disease is contracted. The CVR-C vaccination minimizes the symptoms of these infections if caught and works as prevention but is not a cure. Feline panluekopenia is the cat version of parvo, which much like canine parvo causes bloody diarrhea, anemia, and decreased immunity towards illnesses. This disease is contracted through direct or indirect contact with the virus, getting this vaccination will prevent your pet from these diseases and provide more of a fighting chance if the disease is caught. It is not only important to provide these vaccinations for your pet, but to also to know what illnesses and disease are being prevented to understand the severity of vaccinations.

Now for the most important vaccination, rabies. Rabies is a zoonotic disease throughout all mammals meaning you and your pet can contract this disease. The rabies virus infects mammal’s saliva so it’s transmitted through bites and saliva entering an open cut, eyes, nose, or mouth. The rabies vaccination should be updated annually for younger/new pets and every two years for our older pets that have been seen consistently by us. This disease is common in skunks, raccoons, bats, coyotes, and foxes; while outside your pet may cross paths with these animals so a rabies vaccination will keep them safe and must be re-administered immediately. If you or your animal has been bitten by a wild animal it is important to notify medical professionals immediately, both your doctor and us the veterinarians. If possible without getting hurt, try to trap the animal, or keep track of where the animal has gone so professionals are able to test is for rabies. Rabies moves along the nerves throughout the body, into your central nervous system, specifically the brain, then a series of neurological symptoms occur from the damage on average within a week but can range from a few hours to several weeks before death. Owning a pet that is not rabies vaccinated can lead to legal issues, it’s important to check the rabies laws in South Dakota which can be found here: https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/40-12