HEALTH & WELLNESS
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LIONS FOUNDATION OF CANADA DOG GUIDES
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and its founding program, Canine Vision Canada, was established in 1983. It’s the largest school of its kind in Canada with its training school in Oakville and breeding facility in Breslau.
What are Pet Vaccines and Why are They Important?
The importance of pet vaccinations cannot be emphasized enough.
Apart from helping to keep your pets safe and healthy, they also work against the spreading of dangerous (and some deadly) diseases. Kennels, catteries and dog daycare or dog hotel businesses also require owners to provide proof of vaccinations before considering applications.
VACCINES FOR DOGS
According to the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines, unless there’s a medical reason not to vaccinate, all dogs should receive these core vaccines:
● Rabies
● Distemper
● Adenovirus
● Parvovirus
● +/- Parainfluenza
These non-core vaccines are recommended for some dogs based on lifestyle, geographic location and risk of exposure:
● Leptospira (based on increasing prevalence)
● Borrelia burgdorferi (canine Lyme disease)
● Bordetella bronchiseptica & canine parainfluenza virus
● Bordetella bronchiseptica only
● Canine influenza virus
● Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake)
When you buy or adopt a puppy or an older dog, ask your veterinarian to tailor a vaccine program for your dog based on its medical history (if available), general profile and health needs.
VACCINES FOR CATS
According to the AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines, cats should receive the following core vaccines:
● FHV-1 (feline herpesvirus type 1)
● FCV (feline calicivirus)
● FPV (feline panleukopenia virus)
● Rabies
● FeLV (feline leukemia virus) for cats younger than 1 year old
Non-core vaccines for cats include:
● FeLV for cats older than 1 year
● Chlamydia felis
When you buy or adopt a kitten or older cat, ask your veterinarian to tailor a vaccine program for your cat based on its medical history (if available), general profile and health needs.
WHEN SHOULD VACCINES BE ADMINISTERED?
Pets should receive their initial vaccinations based on a veterinarian’s recommendation, typically starting when they’re young. Revaccinations should also be administered according to the veterinarian’s guidance, usually at regular intervals to ensure ongoing protection against diseases. Again, pets’ vaccination schedules should be customised with their medical history (if available), general profile and health needs in mind, not to mention lifestyle and local disease prevalence.
● During vaccination visits, veterinarians can also perform a general health check.
Annual general check-ups are essential for the early detection of health problems, which may include the following:
● Heart disease
● Tumours
● Renal disease
● Skin disease
During the visit you can talk to your veterinarian about spaying/neutering or other concerns such as behavioural changes. You can even discuss parasite management and the latest recommended options for pets.
THE PURPOSE OF VACCINATIONS
– Reduces the severity of the diseases, if contracted
– Increases the chance of survival threatened by clinical signs
PLEASE NOTE:
Not all vaccines are 100% effective. Speak to your veterinarian about the best protection protocol for your pet.
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