Okay, I need to ask a question because I'm spending so much money on my Dog & Cat at the Vet it's insane! What shots / vaccinations are really required? My cat is a 3 year old who is strictly an indoor cat. My dog is 10 months old who is currently caught up on all of her vaccinations. However, I received a postcard in the mail stating her Bordatella vaccination is due. Is this really necessary? My dog never stays in the kennel and the only time we ever encounter another dog is when I walk her. As for the cat I received a postcard stating his distemper is due. What is this? I just want to do what is right for them and try to save myself a little money in the process. I love my animals but I don't want to "over-medicate" them. Thanks for your help!
The only "required" vaccination by law anyway is a rabies vaccine. However, this being said It is a matter of choice as to whether or not you vaccinate your animals for anything else. There are lower cost vets in the area, and I suggest that you "shop around". Do your research and decide what is best for your pets. I personally do not vaccinate my dogs for bordetella but they are not boarded either, but keep in mind that any dog that has this can pass it to your dog as this something that is airborne and it is highly contagoius.
Hey, rabies is the only required vaccine. However, you can get the vaccines that the vet adminsters (DHLPP/C) at a feedmill and do it yourself. Its really easy to do and cheaper. Since your cat is indoors I wouldn't worry about her/him. The main thing that the distemper is for is is to help prevent feline lukemia which is deadly but is transferable through other cats (if she/he's not in contact with any outdoor cats I wouldn't bother with it). http://www.ccndr.org/library/dog_vaccinations.htm
like they said, rabies is the only one required by law. "Distemper" is strongly recommended, but not required. i say "distemper" because the vaccine actually is a combination. Most have some sort of combination (5 to 7 different of the following) of distmper, parainfluenza, parvo, corona, hepatitis, adenovirus, lepto. It also depends on what breed you have. some are more suseptible to these diseases than others. the feline distemper is FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Calicivirus /Panleukopenia) Even if your cat is indoors all the time, you can never predict if he/she will escape sometime (God forbid) and get in contact with these diseases. I would get bordetella if your dog is going to board, get groomed, go to the park regularly, etc. it doesnt necessary have to be JUST for boarding. Lymes vacc if you live in a heavily wooded area and your doggie likes to go in it. FeLV (Feline Leukemia) for your cat is again recommended but many owners opt not to get it if they have a strictly indoor cat. again, you can't predict any unexpected contacts.. thats what vaccines are for afterall some google terms for your own enrichment: FVRCP, FELV, DHPP would explain a lot of things
i just want to correct something in the article you posted (well maybe not really a correction) but in NC puppies can be given their first rabies vaccine at 12 weeks (instead of 20 like the article says, but i know that article is referring to cali's laws)
Thanks for finding that. I should have caught it but I didn't (I used to work at a vets office). I hope this information helps out!
Quick answer cause I'm ready to head out: Feline Distemper shots do not prevent feline leukemia. someone said it did, they have it confused. Feline Distemper shots prevent the Feline Panleukopenia virus, which causes severe intestinal tract disease in kittens and sometimes older cats. Panleukopenia is often referred to as 'Panleuk' or 'Feline Distemper' Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a retrovirus, so named because of the way it behaves within infected cells. All retroviruses, including feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), produce an enzyme, reverse transcriptase, which permits them to insert copies of their own genetic material into that of the cells they have infected. FELV can be transmitted cat-to-cat and through bodilly secretions. If your kitty is indoor only and you have no other cats and don't plan on bringing another cat into your house, at her age (3) if she's up to date on all of her vaccines since she was young, she probably has enough antibodies present for a couple of years - the only exception is RABIES which is required by the state. For your dog - it does NOT need bordatella unless it goes to a groomer (as opposed to having a groomer come to you or if it is kenneled or comes into contact with other dogs who may have the condition (kennel cough) Kennels/vets offices and stationary groomers, shelters, places where dogs congrigate, are the typical places for dogs/pups to pick it up. If your pup is 10 months old it needs to receive it's regular vaccinations Distemper/Parvo and Rabies (which is given at the age of 4 months) as your vet recommends. State law allows dogs who have had their first rabies shot to have their second rabies shot a year later and then go three years between shots. As for Parvo/Distemper, it's not required by law, but wise to have - After a couple of years, of being routinely vaccinated, I would have my dog titered (blood test to check for vaccine antibodies) to see if it really needed to be re-vaccinated for Parvo/Distemper. It is wise not to overmedicate our pets, however at 10 months of age, they are just like very young children and need those initial vaccinations done. Death by Parvo or Distemper is a painful and ugly way to go. Saving them from either disease is costly and Hell to go through - sometimes leaving the pets health in jeopardy for the rest of it's life because of a weakened condition. Be sure to give heartworm preventative each and every month - no matter what. I never allow my pets to receive any shots or medications that aren't 100% necessary as I don't want them over vaccinated, however you need to be certain they are protected. Good luck
