Core cat vaccinations aim to help prevent at least three diseases in kittens and cats: Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FSV1), and Feline Calicivirus (FCV).

What are these diseases?

FPV (also called Feline Distemper, Feline Parvovirus or Feline Enteritis) is a highly contagious virus of the parvovirus group, with a high mortality rate. It is extremely “hardy” and may survive for months or years. It is easily transmitted from cat to cat or from human to cat. Transmission can also occur via feeding equipment, litter trays, bedding, fleas, from an infected pregnant cat to her unborn kittens and by contact through hands, clothing and shoes.

Clinical signs of Feline Panleukopenia can include sudden-onset fever, loss of appetite, dehydration, depression, vomiting, and/or a “hunched” appearance. Treatment involves alleviating vomiting and diarrhoea to prevent subsequent dehydration and steps to prevent secondary bacterial infections until the cat’s natural immune system takes over.

Feline Herpesvirus 1 and Feline Calicivirus are the most common causes of Feline Respiratory Disease (FRD), often called “cat flu” or “cat snuffles”. The most common symptoms of FRD are sneezing, discharge from the eyes and/or nose and loss of appetite. FRD is spread similarly to the Feline Panleukopenia Virus.

When cats are infected with the virus, they do not always show signs of illness, but can still be infectious to other cats, sometimes becoming ‘carriers’ of the disease. Stress factors such as illness or trauma, change of home, breeding, travelling, attending cat shows, house renovations, or a new person or pet in the household can be enough to trigger an episode of disease in a carrier cat.

When should my cat be vaccinated?

• 8 weeks of age – 1st vaccination.

• 12 weeks of age – 2nd vaccination.

• 16 weeks of age – 3rd vaccination.

• 6 -12 months of age – 1st booster.

After this, we recommend an annual vaccination for FRD and a three-yearly vaccination for FPV. Your vet may recommend a different schedule depending on your cat’s risk profile. For example, exclusively indoor cats who don’t go to a cattery have a much lower risk.

Why do we give vaccinations?

While kittens suckle from their mother, they receive temporary immunity from disease primarily through the mother’s colostrum. This immunity is in the form of proteins called antibodies, and for the first 12-24 hours after birth, the kitten’s intestine allows the absorption of these antibodies directly into the bloodstream.

This maternal immunity is only beneficial during the first few weeks of life. At some point, the level of immunity falls, and the kitten must begin to produce its own protection against disease. Vaccines are used for this purpose.

As long as the mother’s antibodies are present, vaccinations do not have a good chance of stimulating the kitten’s immune system. This is why we wait until 8 weeks of age to begin the vaccination course. In some uncommon situations, where there is a high risk of infection, your veterinarian may recommend starting the course at 6 weeks of age.

Many diseases can be fatal to dogs; however, we can use very effective vaccines to help prevent them. The core vaccine helps to protect against the dreaded Parvovirus, the most commonly known virus to affect puppies. Distemper and Hepatitis are also covered by the core vaccine but are seen less often. Vaccines are also available against Tracheobronchitis and Leptospirosis.

What are these diseases?

Parvovirus causes severe gastroenteritis (vomiting and bloody diarrhoea) and has a high mortality rate in puppies. It is a very “hardy” virus and can survive in the environment for several years. The virus particles are spread by infected dogs’ faeces and transmitted by ingesting or inhaling these particles. Older dogs and puppies are most susceptible to disease (those with a lowered immune system). Clinical signs can include the following: vomiting and/or bloody diarrhoea, depression and lethargy, and a loss of appetite. There is no specific treatment for the virus, only supportive treatment.

Distemper is a contagious and severe disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV). The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune and nervous systems of dogs, leading to clinical signs such as: discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. It can also cause thickening and hardening of the nose and footpads (“hard pad disease”) or if infected before their permanent teeth have emerged, dogs can develop permanent tooth damage. Neurologic signs include walking in circles, head tilt, lack of coordination, muscle twitches, convulsions and seizures, and partial or complete paralysis. Once infected, dogs shed the virus in body fluids such as respiratory droplets, saliva, or urine, and may be contagious for several months. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs most often become infected through airborne exposure to the virus, but the virus can be transmitted through shared food and water bowls and other items. Infected mother dogs can pass the virus to their unborn puppies. Fortunately, due to vaccination programmes, the risk of canine distemper is very low in New Zealand.

Infectious canine hepatitis is a contagious and potentially serious disease caused by the canine adenovirus (CAV). In the mild form, an affected dog may merely have a decreased appetite, appear depressed, and have a mild fever. Some dogs develop opacity (cloudiness) of one or both corneas of their eyes (so-called “blue eye”). Dogs may have respiratory signs, such as eye and nasal discharge and a cough indistinguishable from other upper respiratory tract infections or canine cough. In severe cases, usually in young puppies, along with the fever, depression, and loss of appetite, there is abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, oedema (fluid swelling under the skin) of the head and neck, and possibly jaundice. Such cases are often fatal.The hepatitis virus is present in the urine, nose, and eye discharges of infected animals and is transmitted by direct contact with infected materials. Young dogs are at the highest risk of contracting this virus, and signs of disease usually occur a few days after exposure. Vaccination has been very successful at reducing the prevalence of this disease. The ICH vaccine is administered as part of puppy vaccinations. Protection lasts many months to years, but is thought to decrease over time.

Tracheobronchitis is often called “Canine Cough” or “Kennel Cough,” although it affects many dogs that have never been near a kennel. This vaccination helps prevent infections with the parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bacteria. It can be carried out simultaneously with the other injections and may be given as an injection or involve drops inserted into the nose or, more recently, into the mouth. Canine Cough is highly infectious, although rarely fatal, and is spread by aerosol effect.

Leptospirosis is a bacterium often carried by rats and can be transmitted to dogs via rat urine. In areas of the country where dogs may be near a dairy farm or visit the river regularly, they should be vaccinated against leptospirosis; however, new research shows that even dogs living in an urban area are equally at risk. Leptospirosis can also be fatal, and treatment relies heavily on supportive care. This vaccination is also given by a series of primary injections followed by annual boosters. Currently, we do not routinely vaccinate for this disease. However, if your dog travels to the North Island, your veterinarian may recommend protecting against this disease.

When should my dog be vaccinated?

To be effective in puppies, these are given in a series of two or three vaccines, three to four weeks apart, with the last primary vaccine being given at 16 weeks or older. In most situations, the vaccine protocol is, or is similar to, as follows:

• 8 weeks of age – core vaccine for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus.

• 12 weeks of age – core vaccine for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus, +/- Leptospirosis.

• 16 weeks of age – core vaccine for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus, +/- Leptospirosis, +/- Canine Cough.

• 6 - 12 months of age – core vaccine for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus +/- Leptospirosis, +/- Canine Cough.

After this, we recommend an annual vaccination for Canine Cough +/- Leptospirosis and a three-yearly vaccination for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus. Your veterinarian will advise you of the recommended protocol for your particular dog based on risk factors and the vaccinations used.

Why do we give vaccinations?

While puppies are suckling from their mother, they receive a temporary form of immunity from disease primarily through the mother’s colostrum. This immunity is in the form of proteins called antibodies. For the first 12 to 24 hours after birth, the puppy’s intestine allows the absorption of these antibodies directly into the bloodstream.

This maternal immunity is only beneficial during the first few weeks of life, and at some point during the first few weeks of life, the level of immunity falls, and the puppy must begin to produce its own long-lasting protection against disease. Vaccines are used for this purpose.

As long as the mother’s antibodies are present, vaccinations do not have such a good chance to stimulate the puppy’s immune system. This is why we wait until 8 weeks of age to begin the vaccination course. In some uncommon situations, where there is a high risk of infection, your veterinarian may recommend starting the course at 6 weeks of age.

Several highly infectious and potentially fatal diseases affect rabbits overseas. Fortunately, New Zealand has only one primary disease we need to vaccinate for: the New Zealand form of viral haemorrhagic disease (calicivirus).

What is viral haemorrhagic disease?

Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD or HVD) is a horrible viral condition that only affects rabbits. It is caused by a highly contagious virus that is transmitted from rabbit to rabbit or on contaminated equipment, clothing, and feed. Insects, rodents, and birds may also be able to carry the virus and infect isolated rabbits (such as pet rabbits). VHD is nearly always fatal – it causes massive bleeding (haemorrhage) from the internal organs, and the animals die as a result of the overwhelming blood loss.

When should my rabbit be vaccinated?

Your rabbit can be vaccinated against VHD when it reaches 10 weeks of age. In rabbits, vaccines are given by injection under the skin, usually into the scruff at the back of the neck. It works by stimulating the immune system and training the white blood cells in your rabbit’s body to recognise and attack the viruses in the vaccine. This should prevent infection with that particular virus if your rabbit comes into contact with it again.

As most vaccines' protection wears off over time, to ensure your rabbit is fully protected it must receive an annual booster vaccination for continuing immunity against the disease.

Will my rabbit be ok after the vaccination?

Sometimes your rabbit may seem ‘off-colour’ for a day or two after vaccination, and the injection site may also become tender and swollen. If these effects do not wear off, it is worth taking your rabbit back to see your vet.

If you are concerned about any symptoms in your rabbit, do not hesitate to contact your vet for reassurance or advice.