How Much Are Vacinations At Dewy Animal Shelter

Last updated: 2015-06-18
Document type: Information Sail
Topic: Infectious Disease
Species: Canine, Feline

Vaccination is an integral component of whatsoever shelter or rescue system's overall population health management programme. Every shelter must develop a vaccination protocol that is tailored to their population'southward needs, and shelters must be ready to adapt their protocol if changes in overall population health are observed equally role of a routine health monitoring program.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Domestic dog Vaccines
Cat Vaccines
Types of vaccines bachelor
Which vaccines should a shelter utilize?
Which animals should be vaccinated?
When should the vaccine be given?
What should the revaccination (booster) schedule be?
A few words on maternally derived antibodies
Proper Vaccine Handling and Administration
Proper locations of vaccine injections
Vaccine reactions
Adverse effects of vaccines given by wrong route
Vaccine failures

Strategies for vaccination in a shelter or other high-turnover small animate being population are different in many ways from those for a privately owned pet. The likelihood of exposure to disease is often very loftier, and the consequences of infection potentially astringent for both the afflicted animal and the shelter population. A well designed vaccine program tin can be a life-saving tool to keep shelter animals healthy. Some vaccines provide protection within a few days or even a few hours of administration, and can drastically reduce the frequency of life-threatening disease in the shelter. Other vaccines, while less impressive, tin can reduce the frequency and severity of disease both inside the shelter and after release to adopters or rescue groups. This can help the shelter'due south reputation and facilitate increased adoptions and improved relations with rescues, conferring a benefit well beyond the vaccine itself.

Of course, vaccination is not a magic bullet for illness prevention. Even the best vaccines take some fourth dimension to provide protection, and animals may enter the shelter already incubating disease. In addition, vaccination does non provide protection to 100% of vaccinates under the best of circumstances, and animals entering shelters stressed and malnourished may not respond optimally. Finally, vaccines are not available for all diseases of importance in shelters, and do not provide complete protection for some diseases fifty-fifty when there is a vaccine available. Vaccines tin can aid but are never a substitute for good overall animal husbandry.

Questions to consider

As with a private pet in a home, the vaccination strategy should reflect the needs of the particular shelter population. While some generalities tin be fabricated, to some extent the vaccine programme depends on the prevalent diseases in the area, population characteristics ( e.g. low versus high turnover, creature command versus adoption facility, mostly possessor surrendered versus mostly stray animals) and shelter resources and philosophy. Ultimately, establishing the ideal vaccine protocol for a particular shelter may require some trial and error. Information technology is important to monitor disease levels earlier and after trying a new vaccine protocol. One time the level of disease is understood, shelters should consider the questions and answers addressed in this document which apply to most situations.

What pathogens should we vaccinate confronting?

Core vaccines are vaccines indicated for virtually all shelter animals, and include vaccines against those agents which are very likely to be a threat and for which vaccines are at to the lowest degree somewhat protective. Limiting vaccines to core components reduces cost and incidence of agin reactions.

Dog Vaccines

Core Vaccines for dogs in shelters:

• Distemper (CDV)
• Adenovirus-2 (CAV-ii/hepatitis)
• Parvovirus (CPV)
• Parainfluenza (CPiV)
• Bordetella bronchiseptica

The offset four antigens are often grouped into one modified live vaccination (DA2PP or DHPP) administered past a single injection given under the dog's skin (subcutaneously/ SQ).  Puppies should be vaccinated with DHPP starting at 4-half dozen weeks of age and revaccinated every 2-4 weeks until xviii-twenty weeks of historic period (offset at the earlier cease of age range and vaccinate at the shorter interval when communicable diseases chance is high). Adult dogs should be vaccinated with DHPP in one case at intake. If resource let, a 2nd vaccination 2-four weeks later may be beneficial, especially for dogs that were in poor wellness when the initial vaccine was given.

Vaccines for Bordetella bronchiseptica are available with or without canine parainfluenza and canine adenovirus-ii. A recent report showed modest do good fifty-fifty in a shelter where dogs were likely exposed to high levels of disease early in the shelter stay. [Edinboro, 2004 #762] In general, intranasal vaccination is recommended due to the demonstrated rapid onset of amnesty (three-5 days) and the potential benefits of local IgA derived protection. Additionally, this vaccine can be used in puppies every bit young as two-iii weeks of age, and may provide local amnesty fifty-fifty in the face of maternal antibody.

All puppies and dogs should be vaccinated once on intake with a modified live intranasal vaccine containing at least Bordetella and parainfluenza. Revaccination (or booster vaccination) is generally non necessary with the exception of puppies initially vaccinated prior to vi weeks of historic period: revaccinate when the puppy is at to the lowest degree half-dozen weeks old, no sooner than two weeks later on the previous vaccine.

Core-ish vaccine:

Rabies:  There is minimal hazard of transmission of rabies within a typical shelter environment, merely there is bully public wellness do good in ensuring that all dogs and cats leaving brute shelters are vaccinated for rabies.

Rabies vaccination in shelters, however, is complicated by variable local regulations regarding the level of veterinary supervision required for administration. In some cases it is not permissible to give the rabies vaccine without direct veterinary supervision. If local regulations/veterinarian staffing permit, rabies vaccine should be given at intake for dogs for whom a long term shelter stay is anticipated, and for all dogs in shelters where virtually all dogs are adopted.

For open-intake shelters, rabies vaccination at the time of surgery or release is oft more practical. Although ideally vaccines are non given less than ii weeks apart, the public wellness benefit of giving rabies vaccine for all animals on release outweighs this concern, and rabies vaccine should be given fifty-fifty if core intake vaccines were given less than two weeks previously.

If local regulations prohibit shelter staff from vaccinating or adequate veterinary supervision is unavailable, the adopter should be urged to have the animal vaccinated past their veterinarian. A eolith organisation can help ensure compliance (e.g. where the adopter pre-pays for the vaccine and license and has their coin refunded when they return with proof of vaccination).

Canine influenza (CIV):Subcutaneous killed vaccines are available for canine influenza H3N8 strains of (at this fourth dimension information technology is unknown whether this vaccine will protect against H3N2 strain).  These vaccines are labeled to reduce the severity of clinical signs and decrease the duration of viral shedding, though like many respiratory vaccines they may not completely foreclose infection. The vaccines are labeled for utilise in puppies vi weeks of age and older, and should exist given as two injections, 2-4 weeks apart. The requirement for a booster limits the usefulness of this vaccine in most shelters, merely it should exist considered for pet dogs that stay in boarding kennels, attend doggy day care centers, frequent dog parks, or otherwise congregate with other dogs, particularly in areas known to be owned for canine flu. The series of two vaccines should exist completed at least two weeks before boarding to allow for optimal immune response. This vaccine may too be useful for shelters in endemic areas if dogs ofttimes stay for a prolonged menstruum, or for shelters transferring dogs from non-endemic to endemic areas (to be administeredprior to transferinto an endemic area).

Vaccines not generally recommended (considering of undemonstrated efficacy and/or low risk of disease transmission within shelter):

• Canine coronavirus
• Giardia
• Vaccines for diseases which pose minimal infectious adventure within the shelter (due east.g. leptospirosis, Lyme disease) are generally not indicated until later adoption, when the dog's individual gamble profile tin be assessed

For more information on canine vaccines visit the AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines.

Cat Vaccines

Core Vaccines for cats in shelters:

• Feline herpesvirus-i (feline viral rhinotracheitis/FHV-1)
• Feline calicivirus (FCV)
• Feline panleukopenia (FPV)

Feline vaccinations are usually grouped into one vaccination (FVRCP). Modified live subcutaneous vaccination is generally recommended considering of demonstrated rapid onset of protection and practiced efficacy in the face of maternal antibody. Kittens should be vaccinated starting at 4-6 weeks of age and revaccinated every two-iv weeks until 18 -20 weeks of age (start at the earlier end of age range and apply the shorter interval when infectious disease gamble is high). Adult cats should be vaccinated in one case at intake. If resources permit, a 2d vaccination 2-four weeks later may be beneficial especially if poor health prevented an optimal response to the vaccine given on intake.

Core-ish vaccine:

Rabies: There is minimal risk of transmission of rabies inside a typical shelter environment, but at that place is great public health benefit in ensuring that all dogs and cats leaving animal shelters are vaccinated for rabies. Rabies vaccination in shelters, however, is complicated by variable local regulations regarding the level of veterinarian supervision required for assistants. In some cases it is non permissible to give the rabies vaccine without directly veterinarian supervision. If local regulations/veterinarian staffing permit, rabies vaccine should be given at intake for cats for whom a long term shelter stay is anticipated, and for all cats in shelters where nigh all cats are adopted.

For open up-intake shelters, rabies vaccination at the time of surgery or release is oftentimes more applied. Although ideally vaccines are not given less than two weeks apart, the public health benefit of giving rabies vaccine for all animals on release outweighs this concern, and rabies vaccine should be given even if cadre intake vaccines were given less than 2 weeks previously.

If local regulations prohibit shelter staff from vaccinating or adequate veterinary supervision is unavailable, the adopter should be urged to have the beast vaccinated past their new veterinary. A eolith system can help ensure compliance (eastward.g. where the adopter pre-pays for the vaccine and license, if applicable, and has their money refunded when they return with proof of vaccination).

Cat vaccines occasionally recommended:

Use of these vaccines should be reserved only for shelters in which infection has been confirmed by laboratory diagnostics equally an ongoing problem.

• Chlamydophila felis (C. psittici): The efficacy of the vaccine is relatively low (similar to the other respiratory vaccine components), disease is infrequent in about shelters and adverse reactions (sluggishness, fever) have been constitute to be relatively mutual with this vaccine (Moore, 2007; Starr, 1993). This vaccine should be considered only when illness has been confirmed by laboratory diagnostics and/or very suspicious clinical signs are nowadays. The need for this vaccine should be periodically re-assessed.
• Bordetella bronchiseptica: Vaccination does not accept proven do good in shelters and may cause mild signs of URI in some vaccinates. This vaccine should be considered when affliction has been confirmed by laboratory diagnostics. The need for this vaccine should exist periodically re-assessed.

Vaccines not generally recommended (because of undemonstrated efficacy and/or depression risk of affliction manual within shelter):

• Feline coronavirus ("FIP vaccine"): At that place is currently only i vaccine bachelor for feline coronavirus, a modified live intranasal product labeled for use in cats > 16 weeks of historic period, to be given equally a serial of ii vaccines 3-4 weeks autonomously. Results of studies regarding the efficacy of this vaccine take been variable, some showing no efficacy and others showing limited efficacy under certain circumstances. One study showed a significantly decreased risk of FIP for cats that were seronegative at the time of vaccination. Although there may exist some benefit to giving the vaccine to cats that have never before been exposed to a multi-cat environment (and are therefore relatively likely to be seronegative), most shelter cats will have long since been exposed past the time the recommended booster vaccine tin be administered.
• FeLV: While non more often than not recommended, this vaccine should be considered in shelters/sanctuaries with grouping housing, especially if groups are large (> 10-12 cats), stays are relatively long (>1-2 months) and/or at that place are cats in the group not tested for FeLV within the previous yr. Vaccination is not a substitute for testing and segregating FeLV positive cats, but considering the occasional positive true cat may examination negative (especially shortly after infection) and be inadvertently introduced into an FeLV negative group, cats that will be exposed to many other cats in a shelter grouping housing setting may do good from vaccine protection.
• FIV: Considering of the low hazard of transmission within almost shelters and interference with antibiotic tests for FIV, this vaccine is not by and large recommended. However, it may have do good in sanctuaries where large numbers of cats are group housed (in or out doors) long term.

For more than information refer to the American Clan of Feline Practitioners Vaccination Guidelines.

Types of Vaccines Available

Vaccines are categorized as modified alive (MLV), inactivated (IA) and recombinant. Each type of vaccine has advantages and disadvantages. In shelters, the most important aspects of each vaccination selection are outlined hither. In the bulk of cases, modified live vaccines are the preferred pick in shelters.

Modified live vaccines (MLV)

Advantages of modified live vaccine (MLV):

• Tin can provide a relatively rapid onset of amnesty afterward a unmarried vaccine dose against some pathogens (Pregnant protection inside hours to days for some diseases such as parvovirus, panleukopenia and canine distemper. For other diseases, such as feline respiratory vaccines, this is not the case.)
• Better able to overcome maternal antibiotic interference
• Produces mucosal amnesty when given by appropriate route (important for prevention of some respiratory diseases)

Disadvantages of modified live vaccine (MLV):

• Tin produce mild signs of illness indistinguishable from natural infection.  However, this is likely rare in shelters; several studies have not shown an increased risk of mild signs of respiratory disease even in dogs and cats recently vaccinated with a modified live intranasal vaccine. Information technology is likely that the level of vaccine induced signs is rarely sufficient to trigger notice at a shelter where monitoring is often non as close as in a pet abode.
• Can cause shedding of antigen which may be indistinguishable from field strain on diagnostic tests
• May plant infection and carrier state with vaccine strain virus; this can occur with the feline respiratory viruses.  Once carrier state is established, virus may exist continually shed into the environment, increasing the possibility of reversion to virulence
• Some MLV vaccines tin produce meaning disease in severely immunosuppressed animals. "Everyday" immunosuppression associated with such things as stress, poor diet, surgery accept not been shown to increase vaccine induced disease. Genetic allowed deficiency, chemotherapy, or parvoviral infection are more pregnant risk factors [Greene, 1998; Miyamoto, 1995]. Animals so severely immunosuppressed that vaccination poses a meaningful run a risk are unlikely to survive exposure to the many pathogens in a shelter; a rule of thumb is that an fauna not good for you enough to vaccinate should not remain in a shelter except nether strict isolation.
• Some MLV vaccines (eastward.chiliad. feline panleukopenia, parvovirus) may crusade death or illness of fetuses and very young animals. In some cases, notwithstanding, this hazard is outweighed by the benefit of protection against these same illnesses in a high hazard environment.
• MLV vaccines tin can be inactivated by incorrect storage or handling
• May produce meaning affliction when given by the incorrect route (east.m. sub-cutaneous FVRCP given intranasally, intranasal Bordetella bronchiseptica given parentally)

Inactivated vaccines

The advantages and disadvantages of inactivated (IA) vaccines reverberate the flip side of those listed for modified live vaccines. Inactivated vaccines will not crusade shedding of antigen nor cause disease even in pregnant or very young animals, and are much more than tolerant of variations in storage and handling.

The well-nigh significant disadvantage of inactivated vaccines is that for some serious diseases such equally panleukopenia, protection will not be acquired until 1-2 weeks after a booster vaccine is given (2-3 weeks later initial vaccination). This means naive animals will not be protected for up to five weeks later on vaccination! In many shelters the creature will likely have been exposed to disease past the time protection is achieved.

For all their advantages of safety and store-ability, then, this unmarried problem greatly limits the usefulness of IA vaccines in the shelter environment for protection against panleukopenia, parvovirus and canine distemper.

Other Vaccine types

Other types of vaccines containing synthetic or genetically engineered antigen take been developed. For example, a recombinant vaccine for canine distemper is bachelor. While recombinant vaccines may offer adept protection with minimal side furnishings, purified or recombinant products often require the same booster schedule and time to onset equally an inactivated vaccine.

Recombinant vaccines are too more often than not more plush than traditional MLV or IA. These factors limit employ of recombinant products in shelters. Still, a recombinant vaccine for canine distemper (Merial) has been shown to provide rapid protection similar to standard MLV vaccines, and relatively good efficacy in the face of maternal antibody (Larson, 2006). This advantage, withal, may exist limited in shelters where few puppies may accept maternal antibodies to distemper. In the future, attenuated products may exist produced using selective deletion or vectored delivery systems with the advantages of a modified live vaccine and the safety of a killed vaccine. Stay tuned.

So which vaccine should shelters utilize?

For protection against parvovirus, panleukopenia, and canine distemper, MLV SQ vaccines are preferred. For canine core vaccines, most available vaccines are modified alive combination products which include distemper, canine adenovirus 2, parvovirus and parainfluenza (DA2PP or DHPP). Although a recombinant canine distemper vaccine is bachelor equally noted above, its application in a most shelter settings is express. If Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine is used (with or without adenovirus 2 or parainfluenza), a modified live intranasal production is by and large indicated due to the more rapid onset of protection. For more than information on vaccination for canine infectious respiratory affliction complex, please see our canine infectious respiratory disease data folio.

For cats, the cadre vaccines are available equally inactivated or modified live combination products (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia, FVRCP). In contempo years, feline panleukopenia has re-emerged as a near-ubiquitous threat. Vaccine-induced protection against FPV is excellent. Routine use of a modified live parenteral vaccine containing panleukopenia will provide optimal protection against outbreaks of this devastating illness.

The case for modified alive versus inactivated vaccines against feline respiratory viruses (feline calicivirus and herpesvirus, the "FVRC" in "FVRCP") is less clear cut. Vaccines against these viruses provide only partial protection at best, making the risk/benefit ratio less obvious than with FPV. Feline respiratory vaccines do non protect confronting infection or development of a carrier state, and resistant strains of feline calicivirus are mutual [Pedersen, 1995; Weigler, 1997] [Lauritzen, 1997] [Dawson, 1993].

Some cats will experience balmy signs of URI such as sneezing or mild oral inflammation later modified live vaccination. This is more than common with intranasal vaccines merely may occur with parenteral vaccines too. Inactivated products are also preferred for shelters or mobile operations without the ability to correctly store modified live vaccines. Both MLV and IA vaccines oft require a booster for maximum effect, and 1 study suggested that IA vaccines may actually exist more effective in inducing antibodies against feline herpesvirus than MLV vaccines. This needs to be taken with a grain of common salt, equally antibodies are not necessarily correlated with protection confronting infection or illness caused by herpesvirus, only the fact remains that either choice is probable to afford less than platonic protection and strong bear witness for one over the other is lacking.

Inactivated calicivirus vaccines containing two strains of calici are now available in the U.South. and Europe and may provide broader protection against infection. Provided these vaccines can exist given in combination with a MLV SQ panleukopenia vaccine, they may confer some reward over the single strain vaccines.

Intranasal vaccines for cats are modified alive, and are available every bit bivalent products containing just the respiratory viruses, or trivalent containing the respiratory viruses and feline panleukopenia. Because intranasal vaccination is not reliably constructive to protect against feline panleukopenia, all cats should exist vaccinated with a parenteral MLV panleukopenia vaccine, regardless of whether or non IN respiratory vaccines are used. Studies conflict on the possible benefit of this vaccine in shelter settings, and it likely varies past shelter.  See the feline upper respiratory infection information page for more information about utilise of the IN vaccine in shelters.

Which animals should be vaccinated?

All animals should exist considered unvaccinated unless a documented medical tape exists. Therefore, with a few exceptions described below, all animals over 4 weeks of age regardless of wellness status should be vaccinated upon shelter entry provided they can be safely handled. Special consideration should be given to animals with medical conditions, pregnant and animals < iv weeks former.

Animals with medical atmospheric condition:

In general, even injured animals and those with medical conditions should be vaccinated. Although they may not mount an optimal response, the risk of exposure to the full strength pathogen is besides peachy in most shelters to warrant delaying vaccination. Vaccination can exist repeated later on recovery (no less than ii weeks later.) There is nothing more than frustrating than treating an animal for an injury only to have information technology succumb to communicable diseases.

Vaccine response has been shown to exist impaired in animals with a temperature of >103.6 whether due to fever or high environmental temperature [Greene, 1998].  If possible, such animals should be cooled down prior to vaccination. Animals with astringent immunosuppression (such every bit cats symptomatic for FIV or animals beingness treated with some chemotherapeutics) should be advisedly isolated and given killed or recombinant vaccines if bachelor. Remember, if an beast is too allowed-suppressed to be safely vaccinated, it is unlikely to survive exposure to all the many pathogens present in a typical shelter environment.

Other conditions that must be considered:

one.The historic period of the animal - Modified live parvovirus/panleukopenia vaccines should not be given to puppies or kittens less than 4 weeks sometime. Intranasal/intraocular vaccines for upper respiratory infection may be used in puppies and kittens as young equally 2-4 weeks old. (The three way intranasal FVRCP vaccine cannot exist used, notwithstanding, as the panleukopenia component is contraindicated as described to a higher place.)

2. Pregnant animals - Although very petty information exists, it is thought that in a mother who has never been vaccinated or exposed, modified alive parvovirus and panleukopenia vaccines may crusade abortion or fetal harm. In mothers who have been previously immunized, on the other hand, there is likely no take chances to the litter. In i written report, abortions were no more common in queens vaccinated with an MLV FVRCP vaccine during pregnancy, and their kittens were considerably less likely to suffer from upper respiratory infection than kittens born to queens not vaccinated during pregnancy. (We tin chalk that do good upwardly to the increased maternal antibody received by the litter.) The bottom line is, there is likely some risk of causing fetal harm when we vaccinate pregnant animals who take never been vaccinated before. On the other manus, there is gamble in non vaccinating: if the mother contracts a fatal illness, both female parent and litter will be lost. Information technology all comes down to weighing the risk of exposure versus the hazard to the litter. If you almost never see serious illness in your shelter or y'all can reliably prevent exposure, then the risk may outweigh the benefit. If hazard of exposure is reasonably high, then the do good of vaccination likely outweighs the risk. If URI is a frequent problem in foster litters, that provides farther reason to vaccinate during pregnancy.

Proceed in listen the special considerations for a legal hold – in that location are many reasons as well vaccination for ballgame, simply a vaccine may be blamed if given to an animal at the center of a contentious legal case. In that state of affairs, brand every endeavour to find out the brute's vaccine status from the owner, and either proceeds consent from the possessor for vaccination or advisedly protect her from exposure to illness rather than risking a vaccine without consent. Finally, any time a meaning-spay is planned, immediate vaccination of the meaning animal is indicated.

3.  Finally, live event is sometimes a gene when deciding who should be vaccinated. Every bit discussed above, shelters which euthanize a high proportion of animals may limit vaccines to animals deemed likely to have a live outcome. Although preferable to not vaccinating at all, this approach has several disadvantages:

• Numerous non-vaccinates in the population may pb to overwhelming levels of disease in the environment
• Animals deemed unadoptable but redeemed past their owners will be at risk of acquiring infectious affliction at the shelter and may comport that illness back into the community
• Animals that do not seem adoptable at first but come around later on a few days will be at risk

When should the vaccine be given?

Immediately upon intake, if not sooner! In almost all cases, shelter animals should be vaccinated immediately upon intake. A delay of fifty-fifty a 24-hour interval or two will significantly compromise the vaccine'southward ability to provide protection. In a price saving effort, some shelters filibuster vaccination until the brute is fabricated available for adoption, or even until it is adopted. While this does provide a service to adopters, the protective event of the vaccine inside the shelter is profoundly reduced or eliminated. (In some cases, the chance of the vaccine preventing affliction may be xc% or better if given the day before exposure, simply will drop to less than 1% if given the day afterward exposure.) When possible, vaccination prior to intake is platonic (e.k. for owner surrendered animals or those returning from foster care).

An exception to this rule should be made for animals that are not good candidates for vaccination upon shelter entry due to severe disease (as described previously). For shelters which euthanize the great majority of their population, vaccinating all animals upon intake may exist impractical. Resources may exist better spent on improving adoption opportunities in this case. Good adoption candidates should withal be identified and vaccinated upon intake, withal, rather than waiting until the finish of the holding period to brand this decision. This will facilitate piece of work with rescue groups also as improving the animal's run a risk of surviving its shelter stay.

Every bit render to field/shelter neuter return programs become more than common the question of when to vaccine these cats should be given consideration.  The stress and safety of both the cat and the staff demand to be taken into consideration.

The main reason to vaccinate on intake rather than at the time of surgery would be for panleukopenia protection. Some protection from this vaccine kicks in within 24 hours, so if, say, someone prepping cats for surgery happened to take panleukopenia on their easily or scrubs from handling another true cat that was shedding, cats would be at least partially protected. That said, cats that are difficult to vaccinate will also receive minimal handling, thus minimal opportunities to be exposed to panleukopenia during their shelter/TNR dispensary stay. If the following is truthful, waiting to vaccinate until the fourth dimension of surgery will probably create little take a chance and save pregnant stress for cats as well as time and risk for staff:

• Cats are placed in housing that has been thoroughly disinfected with a parvocidal disinfectant (Accel, Trifectant, properly handled bleach on pre-cleaned not-porous surface)
• Cats are non handled during their time at shelter/awaiting surgery, or handled merely by staff wearing PPE and using sanitized equipment (not per cat, but per group – e.yard. they throw on a clean scrub meridian or protective smock and freshly wash easily or put on a new pair of gloves when inbound that ward to intendance for cats or to examine individuals)
• Sick cats are not housed in the same area with healthy cats, or are handled separately/with change of PPE and equipment between
• Staff and equipment for surgery is sanitized/separate from sick cats – e.m. techs do non first go through and treat all the sick cats, perform euthanasia, make clean kennels or other contaminating activities, and then assist with surgery without a change of PPE (this is surprisingly not uncommon as it tends to piece of work well with the period of the day to become some heavily contaminating activities taken care of earlier surgery commences, in a shelter that does not have staff allocated to specific carve up areas. This can be ok as long every bit care is taken to have a full change of PPE between activities).

Basically these are like precautions to those that should always exist taken with kittens, who cannot exist reliably protected by vaccination until the age of iv-five months. This is non no-adventure but it is low risk and as noted, there are also risks to vaccinating feral-ish cats when they are wide awake. A bit of a residuum for each shelter/system to weigh.

What should the revaccination (booster) schedule be?

For inactivated vaccines (such as FeLV) and subcutaneous vaccines against respiratory infection, booster vaccination is required inside 2-6 weeks of the previous vaccination. For young animals, the booster must exist received following the first vaccine to penetrate the maternal immune response; therefore these vaccines should not be administered until it is reasonably sure that maternal antibiotic has waned at ~ four months of age. If a booster vaccine is not given within 6 weeks of initial vaccination, the 2-vaccine series should exist repeated.

In animals with a normal immune response, booster vaccines per se are non required for modified live vaccines against canine parvovirus, canine distemper or feline panleukopenia. Repeated vaccines for these diseases are given to animals under ~four months of age in order to minimize problems with maternal antibody interference. Revaccination may also be indicated in case of a sub-optimal immune response to the initial vaccination.

Puppies and kittens should be vaccinated every 2-3 weeks until they reach eighteen-twenty weeks of age. Consider revaccination of adults in two-3 weeks or after adoption. If inactivated vaccines are used, all animals must receive a booster 2-four weeks later.

Every bit noted, booster vaccines are not unremarkably needed for modified alive products. However, animals in shelters may not answer optimally to the initial vaccine, especially if they were in a debilitated condition at the time. Especially if the beast was mildly sick at the time of initial vaccination, a 2d vaccine after recovery may exist helpful (at to the lowest degree ii weeks subsequently). Alternatively, a recommendation could exist made to adopters to discuss revaccination along with boosted indicated preventive wellness measures with their own veterinarian. Although this imposes a slight actress cost on adopters and subjects the animate being to another vaccination, parvovirus infection in a "supposedly vaccinated" adopted animal is well worth fugitive.

A few words on maternally derived antibodies:

Maternally derived antibodies (MDA) are transmitted primarily in colostrum received by nursing puppies and kittens in the first 24-72 hours of life. The level of protection from maternal antibodies depend on the quality of the mother'southward colostrum (that is, the corporeality of antibody it contains) and the amount ingested and absorbed past the neonate. Low levels of antibody may exist if the mother was neither immunized nor naturally exposed, or if the puppies or kittens did not nurse well due to illness, stress or separation from mom.

Maternal antibodies are a mixed approval in the shelter surround. They provide much needed protection while the newborn animal'due south immune system develops, just as well tin can prevent constructive vaccination for up to ~20 weeks. At the historic period of four-6 weeks, maternal antibody levels start to decrease, and they are usually gone by the age of 16-xviii weeks.  The problem is, in that location is a variable time period over which the level of maternal antibodies wanes, so we never know exactly when the levels volition be depression enough to no longer protect the animal and to allow effective vaccination.

Figure 1. Window of susceptibility - The time at which antibody level is no longer sufficient to protect from infection, nevertheless high enough to prevent protection (i.e. immunity) from a vaccination

During the "window of susceptibility" antibody levels are sufficient to prevent protection from a vaccination but inadequate to prevent infection (Figure i). The time at which this window occurs depends on the illness agent and the amount of antibodies initially present. For most diseases, this window occurs somewhere between 6-16 weeks old. Although profoundly reduced by "loftier antigen mass" vaccines now widely bachelor, this window however exists and is peculiarly a problem with parvovirus vaccination.

Proper Vaccine Handling and Administration

In club to exist effective, vaccines must exist stored and administered correctly. Following manufacturer directions non only preserves efficacy of the vaccine, it makes it easier to obtain manufacturer support in cases of vaccine failure or adverse reactions. Equally in private practise, date of vaccination, vaccine type, manufacturer and serial number should be entered into a permanent medical record. At minimum, vaccine blazon and date must exist recorded for each animal and the dates of utilise for each batch recorded by serial number in some central location in case of adverse reactions.

Handling and storage

Heat, excessive common cold, and exposure to lite are capable of inactivating vaccines. Modified live vaccines should arrive common cold from the manufacturer and be refrigerated immediately (needed storage temperature volition be indicated on the vaccine characterization). Always refrigerate vaccines away from the freezer compartment (excessive common cold tin alter the vaccine, which may cause hurting and local reactions to injection). Modified live vaccines that accept not been refrigerated for more than 2 hours may be ineffective and should be discarded.

Vaccine training

E'er follow the manufacturer's guidelines for preparing the vaccine. Use appropriate size syringe and needle to safely fix and administer the vaccine. In most cases, a 3cc Lure-lock type syringe with a 22 estimate inch needle is appropriate. Smaller estimate needles may be used, but may outcome in slower administration. Utilize just i vaccine per unmarried-apply syringe and needle. Use but the diluent provided by the manufacturer. Vaccines that are reconstituted in a diluent must be completely dissolved before cartoon into syringe.  Put a new 22 guess needle onto the syringe before administering the vaccine to the beast.

Assistants

All vaccines should be administered but by the route designated by the manufacturer. Assistants by the incorrect road may crusade serious illness or decease. Intranasal canine Bordetella vaccine may cause severe reactions if given subcutaneously. Modified live subcutaneous feline FVRCP vaccine may crusade serious upper respiratory infection if administered intranasally, or fifty-fifty if a cat licks upwards spilled vaccine. If a vaccine is accidentally given by the wrong route, the vaccine manufacturer should be contacted for specific recommendations. If an injectable vaccine is spilled, clean vaccine off animate being's fur with alcohol swabs.

Modified live vaccines should be administered as shortly as they are reconstituted.  Certain components of the vaccine brainstorm to deteriorate quickly once reconstituted.  If MLV vaccines sit for more than than xx minutes between when they are reconstituted and when they are given, they should be discarded and a new vaccine should be reconstituted and given.  Thus the practise of drawing up a day's worth of vaccine in the morning time to be given all day at the shelter is inappropriate and volition lead to ineffective vaccines being administered.

Parenteral (subcutaneous) vaccine assistants procedure

1. Ever have plenty people and utilize proper animal restraint to administer the vaccine safely
2. Gently grasp and lift a fold of pare to tent the peel over the proper location
3. Insert the needle into the fold of skin (make sure that the needle is all the way into the subcutaneous space only not poking through to the other side of the fold)
four. Aspirate past drawing back on the syringe plunger - you should run across some resistance. If you describe dorsum and aspirate anything other than a small bubble of air (often trapped in the needle hub):
I. Remove the needle from the peel
2. Check needle for proper seal on syringe, replace if lacking
3. Reinsert needle into peel
5. Depress the plunger slowly to inject the vaccine. If a large amount of resistance is encountered, reposition the needle into the subcutaneous space and attempt to re-inject.
6. When vaccine is completely injected, remove needle from skin
7. Dispose of syringe and needle appropriately
8. Cheque the injection site immediately afterward for whatsoever blood or spilled vaccine
nine. Gently massage the vaccine area to disperse the vaccine under the skin

Locations of vaccine injections

DOGS

Most subcutaneous vaccines should be given in the subcutaneous infinite between the shoulder blades.  Rabies vaccines are more often than not administered in the right rear leg.

CATS

Follow the guidelines from the American Association of Feline Practitioners, with all vaccines given as far down on the limb as possible:

• FVRCP - Right shoulder
• Rabies - Right rear leg
• FeLV - Left rear leg

Intranasal/intraocular vaccine administration procedure

These vaccines should be administered topically according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Use a single utilise syringe for each vaccination. Splitting vaccine for very immature kittens may be acceptable, check with the vaccine manufacture.

Vaccine reactions

• Local inflammation, swelling or hair loss (near common)
• Mild symptoms such as sneezing or sluggishness
• Systemic reactions:
  • Fever and limping secondary to MLV feline calicivirus in kittens - Unremarkably responsive to analgesics, resolves in 3-4 days
  • Vaccine associated hypertrophic osteodystrophy and juvenile cellulitis associated with modified live distemper vaccination.  This is almost common in Weimaraners, occasionally seen in other large breeds.
  • Vaccine site sarcomas - AAFP guidelines should exist followed - http://www.catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/feline-vaccination-guidelines
  • Anaphylactic shock (type 1 hypersensitivity)

Fortunately the more severe reactions are very uncommon, and the benefits of vaccinating shelter animals greatly outweigh the risks. Reported reactions in one written report were estimated at .004%. Still, many shelters treat thousands or even tens of thousands of animals a twelvemonth, leading to a loftier probability of eventually seeing a serious reaction.

All adverse vaccine reactions should be documented on the creature'southward permanent record so that adopters can be fabricated enlightened of this history. Fifty-fifty mild reactions such as vaccine site swelling should exist noted and monitored closely. Anaphylactic shock in particular requires immediate recognition and treatment.

If vaccines are administered past staff other than the veterinarian, clear written directions should be posted regarding recognition and treatment of anaphylactic shock ("treatment" may include taking the brute immediately to a local emergency clinic if resources are available and treatment in-business firm exceeds staff grooming).  A crash kit for treatment of anaphylactic shock should be available at all times.

Agin effects of vaccines given by the wrong route

Some modified live vaccines can produce significant illness when given by the wrong route.  Intranasal Bordetella vaccine inadvertently given subcutaneously can cause a local inflammatory reaction, abscessation and in rare cases severe complications including liver failure and expiry [Toshach, 1997]. The nearly important matter is to brand sure such mistakes are reported so the animate being tin be monitored and treated accordingly (non and so staff become in trouble – it can happen to anyone!).  Inadvertent or intentional assistants of a vaccine by the intravenous road may cause astute an anaphylaxis and is not recommended nether any circumstances.

Feline respiratory virus vaccines (FVRC)

Modified live parenteral feline respiratory virus vaccines are temperature sensitive mutants that depend on being given at the higher core torso temperature in order to reduce virulence. When these vaccines are accidentally given past the oro-nasal route, severe upper respiratory infection can develop. This is most probable due to the calicivirus component, and most unremarkably occurs when vaccine is spilled on the cats fur (e.g. when the needle is poked all the way through and out the skin instead of placed in the subcutaneous space).

In society to avoid this:
1. Draw up vaccine and eliminate air bubbling well abroad from the cat'south face
2. Immediately wipe whatever spilled vaccine with alcohol (on the true cat) or Accel/Trifectant/bleach (in the surroundings)

Vaccine failures

Vaccines may fail to protect animals for a diverseness of reasons, including:

Creature problems:

1. Already infected at time of (or shortly after) vaccination. This is the most mutual reason for failure in shelters.
2. Maternal antibody interference (Figure i above)
3. Failure to mount immune response

Response to vaccination follows a bell curve. In that location volition always be a few outlying animals which do not respond well to a vaccine. Even first-class vaccines given correctly will not protect 100% of animals.

Always recollect that vaccine tin never generate better protection than natural infection. For agents such as feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus that practice not produce sterilizing immunity even with total blown disease, vaccines cannot offer complete protection.

Potential sources of vaccine issues:

1. Incorrect storage or administration
2. Use of chemicals to sterilize re-used syringe
3. Vaccine antigens not protective against field strain virus
4. Problem in manufacturing of vaccine

If a shelter is experiencing vaccine preventable disease (e.m. parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia) in "vaccinated", adult animals, the first place to evaluate is intake to ensure that proper storage, treatment, training and administration of the vaccines is occurring.  If there are errors occurring in any of these areas, ineffective vaccines will be given and thus animals volition go unprotected.

Every shelter must have a well thought out vaccination strategy.  However, e'er think that this can reduce, but not ever completely eliminate, vaccine failures.

References used in creating this information sail:

1. Larson, 50. J. and R. D. Schultz (2006). "Result of vaccination with recombinant canine distemper virus vaccine immediately before exposure under shelter-like conditions." Vet Ther 7(two): 113-viii.
2. Edinboro CH, Ward MP, Glickman LT. A placebo-controlled trial of two intranasal vaccines to prevent tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in dogs inbound a humane shelter. Preventive Veterinarian Medicine 2004;62:89-99.
3. Greene C. Immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy. Infectious diseases of the canis familiaris and cat. 2 ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1998;717-750.
4. Miyamoto T, Taura Y, Une Due south, et al. Immunological responses after vaccination pre- and post-surgery in dogs. J Vet Med Sci 1995;57:29-32.
5. Cocker FM, Newby TJ, Gaskell RM, et al. Responses of cats to nasal vaccination with a live, modified feline herpesvirus type one. Res Vet Sci 1986;41:323-thirty.
6. Ellis JA, Haines DM, West KH, et al. Effect of vaccination on experimental infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:367-75.
7. Pedersen NC, Hawkins KF. Mechanisms for persistence of acute and chronic feline calicivirus infections in the face up of vaccination. Vet Microbiol 1995;47:141-56.
8. Weigler BJ, Guy JS, Nasisse MP, et al. Effect of a live attenuated intranasal vaccine on latency and shedding of feline herpesvirus ane in domestic cats. Arch Virol 1997;142:2389-400.
9. Lauritzen A, Jarrett O, Sabara K. Serological assay of feline calicivirus isolates from the United states of america and U.k.. Veterinarian Microbiology 1997;56:55-63.
10. Dawson S, McArdle F, Bennett D, et al. Investigation of vaccine reactions and breakdowns after feline calicivirus vaccination. Vet Rec 1993;132:346-fifty.
11. Edinboro CH, Janowitz LK, Guptill-Yoran 50, et al. A clinical trial of intranasal and subcutaneous vaccines to prevent upper respiratory infection in cats at an animal shelter. Feline Practice 1999;27:seven-13.
12. Toshach K, Jackson MW, Dubielzig RR. Hepatocellular necrosis associated with the subcutaneous injection of an intranasal Bordetella bronchiseptica-canine parainfluenza vaccine. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1997;33:126-8.
13. Tizzard IR. Vaccination and vaccines In: I. R. Tizzard, ed. Veterinary Immunology. 6 ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 2000;235-252.

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