Vaccinations

Question 1

Define serology.

Answer 1

A blood test to measure the level of antibodies in the blood, against a specific infectious organism.

Question 2

Define titre.

Answer 2

The level of antibody in the blood.

Question 3

Describe infectious vaccines.

Answer 3

‘Live’, ‘modified live (MLV)’ or ‘live attenuated’
Modified/attenuated (reduced pathogenicity) whole organism (of disease you are vaccinating against)
Circulates, infects, replicates cells in body
Leads to low level infection
Leads to strong immune response, even after single dose
Require less frequent re-administration

Question 4

Describe non-infectious vaccines.

Answer 4

‘Killed’ / ‘inactivated’
Whole organism (of disease you are vaccinating against) that is killed and inert
(Or contains antigen (‘subunit’) or recombinant)
Cannot/does not cause infection
Require adjuvants - stimulate immune response
Require multiple doses and more frequent re-administration (boosters)

Question 5

How do we store vaccines?

Answer 5

Varies depending on vaccine

Most commonly refrigerated (2-8 degrees C)

Question 6

How do we administer vaccines?

Answer 6

Usually subcut
Less commonly intranasally, intramuscularly, orally
Check data sheet

Question 7

What is included in the canine core vaccination (UK)?

Answer 7

Distemper (CDV) - MLV (or recombinant)
Hepatitis (adenovirus) (CAV-2) - MLV
Parvovirus (CPV-2) - MLV
Leptospira spp. - inactivated

Question 8

Describe a course of puppy vaccinations for the viruses.

Answer 8

Maternally derived antibody
In practice, typically first at 6-8 weeks of age then second 2-4 weeks later, no earlier than 10 weeks of age
WSAVA guidelines advise the last vaccine of a puppy course should be given no earlier than 16 weeks of age

Question 9

Describe a course of puppy vaccinations for leptospirosis (bacteria).

Answer 9

2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart (licence dependent)
Administer concurrently with viral components
L2 vs L4 (2 or 4 species of leptospira)

Question 10

Describe canine adult vaccinations.

Answer 10

First ‘annual’ vaccination at 12 months
Then CDV, CAV-2, CPV-2 given every 3 years (or governed by titre testing)
Leptospirosis annually (unlike viruses, vaccination still required if recover from natural Leptospirosis infection)

Question 11

What canine non-core vaccinations are available?

Answer 11

Kennel cough
Canine parainfluenza - formulated with some core vaccines
Canine herpesvirus - almost exclusively by breeders
Coronavirus - endemically infected kennels
Rabies/other - for travel

Question 12

What is included in feline CORE vaccinations (UK)?

Answer 12

Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) - MLV
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) - MLV
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) - MLV

Question 13

Describe a kitten course of vaccinations.

Answer 13

Maternally derived antibody
In practice, typically first at 8-9 weeks of age then second 3-4 weeks later, no earlier than 12 weeks of age
WSAVA guidelines advise the last vaccine of a kitten course should be given no earlier than 16 weeks of age

Question 14

Describe feline adult vaccinations.

Answer 14

First ‘annual’ vaccination at 12 months
Then FPV given every 3 years (or rarely, governed by titre testing)
FHV-1, FCV annually

Question 15

What are the feline non-core vaccinations?

Answer 15

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) - common!
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Chlamydia felis - if needed in multi-cat households
Bordetella bronchiseptica - e.g. for colonies
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV)
Rabies/other - for travel

Question 16

How do we vaccinate pregnant bitches?

Answer 16

Use killed/inactivated (i.e. non-infectious) vaccines

Timing often important

Question 17

What adverse vaccine events can occur?

Answer 17

Mild = transient pyrexia, lethargy, inappetence, local swelling (2-3 days post-vaccination, esp. young animals)
Severe, life-threatening (RARE!) = anaphylaxis, feline injection site sarcoma (FISS)

Question 18

When should we NOT vaccinate?

Answer 18

Should be healthy and clinically well at time of vaccination
Drugs - steroids, immunosuppressives
Robust evidence of prior vaccination reaction - try component vaccination instead
If animal is already infected with disease
(Viruses) if animal has recovered from natural infection with disease