It is recommended that vaccines
should be administered by a local veterinarian. This is because veterinarians have access to superior vaccines and can handle problems that may arise from vaccine reactions. The veterinarian can also ensure that proper administration techniques are followed. However, if individual situations require that the vaccine be given at home, the following general suggestions are a must:It is important that pet owners establish a consistent health program to reduce the amount of infectious disease present on their premises. All animals are susceptible to many infectious diseases. Infectious diseases can enter a home/yard through new pets or be carried onto a location by other animals and humans. It is important to identify what diseases are a potential problem in the area or in the home. With a veterinarian, a strategy may be formed for protecting against and decreasing exposure of a pet to infectious diseases. A written vaccination schedule should be created and followed. The vaccination schedule should be modified as conditions warrant and available vaccines change. It is advisable to develop a complete program of nutrition, sanitation, and health care to help ensure healthy and happy animals.
Terms:
- Killed (inactivated) virus vaccines - These vaccines are composed of whole or parts of the killed virus to which the body mounts an immune response. Generally, killed virus vaccines are more stable for storage and less likely to cause the disease being vaccinated against; however, they are more likely to produce vaccination reactions due to the high level of virus particles and the adjuvants that are used.
- Modified live virus vaccines (MLV vaccines) - These vaccines are composed of living viruses which have been altered to avoid causing
the disease being vaccinated against. Despite being changed, these vaccines will still stimulate an immune response by the body. The changing process (attenuation) of these viruses is usually accomplished through repeated culturing of the virus in a tissue to which it is not adapted. MLV vaccines do not require the use of adjuvants, are less likely to produce vaccination reactions, and stimulate a good immune response with fewer doses than a killed virus vaccine. However, some MLV vaccines have been known to actually cause the disease they are trying to prevent. This occurs when the attenuation or changing process is not complete.
Killed Virus
Vaccines:
Advantages
Disadvantages
|
Modified
Live Vaccines:
Advantages
Disadvantages
|
- Bacterins - Bacterins are killed whole bacteria or their parts. Some of the bacterin vaccines are among the most notorious for producing vaccination reactions. Like the killed virus vaccines, bacterins are unlikely to cause disease through retained virulence (ability to cause disease) and are more stable for storage.
Note: The feline leukemia, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and chlamydiosis vaccines often come combined as one injection known as a "mixed" or "cocktail" vaccine.
Please see the vaccination schedule on page A905 for additional information.