Frequently asked questions - vaccinations

A complete physical exam is performed prior to every vaccination. This is due to the fact that although vaccination is a routine treatment we perform in pets, it is not an innocuous procedure and it is important that animals are healthy prior to a vaccine being administered. In addition, acquiring a medical history in conjunction with a physical examination can help the veterinarian tailor the vaccination protocol that is right for your pet. 

Rabies ByLaw
Within Oxford County, Ontario, your cat or dog must be vaccinated for rabies as soon as it’s 3 to 4 months old and must be kept up-to-date for its entire life. After your pet is vaccinated the first time, it must get a booster vaccine within 1 year of the date they were vaccinated. After that, your pet must be vaccinated for rabies every 1 to 3 years depending on the type of vaccine your veterinarian uses. Rabies vaccines used in Canada protect pets from all strains of rabies in North America. You could be fined if your pet isn’t vaccinated for rabies. Even indoor cats need to be vaccinated. Remember, that if a pet bites and breaks skin on a human that the bite must be reported to the health unit and there will be a mandatory quarantine period depending if your pet is up to date on vaccines or not. In addition, if the pet is not up to date on rabies vaccine, there is a good possibility that the person that was bitten will have to undergo prophylactic immunization as Rabies is a lethal disease.  

Common Questions around vaccination
1. I have a small dog/cat.  Can the veterinarian inject a half dose of the vaccination?
No. The volume (e.g. 1.0 ml) as recommended by the manufacturer generally represents the minimum immunizing dose, therefore the total amount must be given. We will be soon switching to a new formulation which is a 0.5 ml dose which contains much the same amount of antigen and adjuvant as a conventional 1.0 ml vaccine just in a smaller more comfortable volume. So therefore a Great Dane will receive the same volume as a Chihuahua as vaccines are not based on volume per body mass (size), but rather on the minimum immunizing dose.
2.  Can my pet be vaccinated while under anesthesia?It is best not to do this if possible as the patient may develop a hypersensitivity/allergic reaction and vomit, leading to an increased risk of aspiration. If a patient requires vaccinations on the day of a surgical procedure (not ideal but is done), we will wait until the patient has recovered from the anesthesia and is fully awake and aware. 
3. Can dogs/cats be vaccinated sooner then 4 weeks
Typically no as these young pets will have maternally derived antibiodies which may block vaccinations from stimulating the immune system effectively
4. What age should the last vaccine be given to a puppy/kitten
The lsat vaccine should be given at 16 weeks of age or older when maternally derived antibodies have been eliminted from the immune system
5. If my puppy sneezes after intranasal vaccination is it necessary to vaccinate again?
Sneezing, with loss of some of the vaccine, is commonly observed after the use of intranasal products. These vaccines have been designed to allow for partial loss of the product and so it should not be necessary to revaccinate, unless it is clear that none or very little of the product was delivered successfully.
6. We missed the booster vaccine for our puppy, will he/she still be protected
No. A single dose of a two‐dose killed vaccine does not provide immunity. The first dose is for priming the immune system, the second for immunizing. If a second dose is not given within 4-6 weeks of the first, the regime should start again, making sure the two doses are given within 2–6 weeks. After those two doses, revaccination with a single dose can be done at yearly or greater intervals to boost the response. A modified live vaccine is slightly different and may provide long lasting immunity with a single dose
8. How often are vaccines repeated
Vaccines are repeated at an interval set out by both the vaccine manufacturer and also via scientifically proven guidelines. Our goal is to never over-vaccinate and only give those vaccines that are deemed necessary for your pet at an interval that is appropriate for that vaccine type and strain.
9.  At what age can one stop vaccinating dogs?For core vaccines, the current recommendation is for lifelong revaccination no more frequently than every 3 years and if non‐core vaccines are chosen for use, these are generally given annually. One can use serological titer testing in any adult dog to confirm protection against core diseases and elect not to revaccinate that animal. In many countries there is also a legal requirement to vaccinate against rabies at particular intervals.
10. My pet is not due for vaccinations this year, do they still need to come in for a visit?
Yes! pets should be examined annually whether they are due for vaccinations or not. The annual health check focuses on an excellent basic physical examination (including body temperature, cardiac auscultation and palpation). A thorough history is taken to understand the lifestyle and disease risks (e.g. travel, boarding, indoor versus outdoor exposure). Nutrition, body weight, dental health and parasite control are discussed. Annual Fecal and blood samples can also help understand a patients overall health and well being.
11. Are certain vaccines or combinations of vaccines more likely to cause adverse reactions than others?
Although this is often presumed, there is little scientific evidence to support this statement. The development of an adverse reaction is often dependent on the genetics and health of the animal  

Feline Vaccinations:
Kittens are vaccinated at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
Adult cats are vaccinated again at 1 year of age and thereafter every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccines administered. 
We routinely vaccinate for FVRCP (Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia) and Rabies, with Feline Leukemia only administered to those cats at risk (outdoor cats or those that live with a FeLV positive cat)

Canine Vaccinations:
Puppies are vaccinated at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
​Adult dogs are then vaccinated at 1 year of age and thereafter every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccines administered. 
We routinely vaccinate for DAPP (Canine distemper, Canine Adenovirus, Canine Parvoviurs, Canine Parainfluenza), Bordatella (Kennel Cough) and Leptospirosis (4 strain vaccine) and Rabies. Lyme is considered a non-core vaccine and is administered based on owner preference and pet risk. 
*By law Rabies vaccine is mandatory, however all other vaccines are given on an as needed/indivudal basis. We use a 3 year Rabies vaccine for all adult dogs who have been previously vaccinated for Rabies.  

Titer testing for the DAP vaccinations is available via Kansas State Laboratory and are sent out in batches;  Rabies titers are not recognized by the government as proof of adequate Rabies immunization - all pets must be vaccinated with Rabies vaccine every 1 or 3 years. For more information about titers please ask your veterinarian