Author: Dr. Gervaise Sarjusingh
Nine vaccine questions from pet owners.
Some refer to them as: mixed breed, mutt, Caribbean Shepherd or simply pothound. Whatever you choose to call them, they need vaccines too! There seems to be a belief, among most Trinidadians, that pothounds don’t need to be vaccinated. Some insist that only pure-bred dogs require immunisation because they are “more sensitive”. In reality, they both require the same veterinary care.
Here are 9 popular questions asked by pet owners regarding canine vaccination:
1. What do vaccines do?
Vaccines function to mimic the development of naturally acquired immunity. It’s done by introducing a non-pathogenic (safe) form of a disease agent (such as a virus or bacteria) that primes the immunologic system. It serves to decrease the symptoms experienced
by the patient in the event of subsequent exposure.
Fun fact: The term “vaccine” derives from the Latin term “vacca,” meaning cow.
2. Why vaccinate my pet?
It is one of the first and most important steps. It safeguards your pet from potentially deadly, but preventable, diseases such as: canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus and Leptospirosis.
3. Can deadly diseases such as: canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus and Leptospirosis be prevented?
Yes. With proper and routine vaccination, the disease severity is significantly reduced. Thus, vaccines increase your pet’s chances of survival. Note that Leptospirosis is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans and is of major public health concern. A 2008 publication in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases indicated that Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago are countries with some of the highest annual incidence of human leptospirosis worldwide. Keep your household protected by having your pets vaccinated.
4. My pet has never been to a vet and they lived for years without any issues. Why should I start now?
This is a survival bias. Yes, your pet may be one of a small population of animals that were fortunate enough to overcome or evade subsequent challenges. However, it negates the majority of its relatives (litter mates, offspring etc) who would have succumbed to an infectious, preventable disease. Also, are you sure they’re truly healthy? Diseases can impact your pet’s quality of life for years without any apparent signs unless assessed by a veterinarian.
5. My pet stays at home and away from other animals. Do they still require vaccination?
Yes. Animals can be exposed to pathogens (viruses, bacteria etc) both direct and indirectly. Some can be transferred form contact with inanimate surfaces (toys, clothing, contaminated water) and vermin. A disease can enter your home without you even realising.
6. Do pothound (mixed breed) dogs require vaccination?
Yes. All dogs, regardless of their pedigree, should be vaccinated to provide protection.
7. Are vaccines only for young animals?
No. The immunity created by vaccines wane over time. Thus, repeat doses, also called vaccine boosters, are required to ensure lifelong protection.
8. When and how often should I vaccinate my pet?
This will be determined by your veterinarian. Factors such as: age, physiologic state, vaccine type/formulation available, risk factors, presence of current disease etc. must be considered by your veterinarian during the vaccine process. However, most puppies will begin their vaccine regime at 6 weeks old.
9. Is the person vaccinating/treating my pet a veterinarian?
You can request their veterinary surgeon’s registration number for authenticity. This is a number provided to the doctor upon registration with the Trinidad and Tobago Veterinary Surgeons Registration Board. Also, veterinarians who are members of the Trinidad & Tobago Veterinary Association (TTVA) can be found listed on the organisation’s website (ttva1.org). However, this list does not include all the veterinarians listed in the aforementioned Veterinary Surgeons Registration Board.
I hope this article is able to emphasise the importance of having all your furry friends vaccinated, regardless of their breed. As a veterinarian and proud owner of multiple pothounds, I stand by the statement, ‘Pothounds need vaccines too.’
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1932753/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971207001956
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6650629/#B5