Pet Vaccines: Schedules for Cats and Dogs

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Vaccination is a critical component of preventive healthcare for pets, ensuring protection against various infectious diseases. This article outlines the recommended vaccination schedules for cats and dogs, based on recent research findings.

Vaccination Schedules for Cats

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

A recent study developed a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for cats, which was administered intramuscularly twice, 2 weeks apart. The vaccine induced high titers of serum anti-spike IgG and neutralized both wild-type and delta variant viruses, providing protection against virus shedding and replication in the respiratory tract and heart1.

Canine Influenza H3N2 Vaccine

An inactivated H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) vaccine was tested on cats, administered subcutaneously in two doses, 3 weeks apart. The vaccine was found to be safe, with minor adverse reactions, and successfully induced seroconversion in all vaccinated cats2.

Canine Distemper Virus Vaccine

A live attenuated canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine was evaluated in cats using three delivery methods: oral, intranasal, and subcutaneous. The subcutaneous method showed the strongest antibody response, with significant titers observed after the initial and booster vaccinations, suggesting it is a safe and effective method for protecting cats against CDV3.

Vaccination Schedules for Dogs

Rabies Vaccine

A study on rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in dogs compared the efficacy of two commercially available rabies vaccines using 3-dose and 5-dose regimes. Both vaccines were effective in preventing rabies, with the 5-dose regime (days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28) being particularly effective. The 3-dose regime (days 0, 5, and 28) also provided adequate protection4.

Rabies Vaccination in Puppies

Research on rabies vaccination in 6-week-old puppies born to immunized mothers found that a single dose of rabies vaccine administered at 6 weeks of age resulted in 88% of puppies achieving protective antibody titers within 21 days. This study supports the inclusion of young puppies in mass rabies vaccination campaigns5.

Conclusion

The studies reviewed highlight the importance of adhering to specific vaccination schedules to ensure the health and safety of pets. For cats, vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, canine influenza, and canine distemper have shown promising results. For dogs, rabies vaccines administered in both 3-dose and 5-dose regimes are effective, with early vaccination in puppies also proving beneficial. These findings underscore the need for ongoing research and adherence to recommended vaccination protocols to protect pets from infectious diseases.

Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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