VETERINARY ASSISTANT TRAINING

COURSE I:
OUTPATIENT

SESSION VI:
ANIMAL DISEASE AND VACCINATION
VETERINARY ASSISTANT TRAINING
COURSE I: OUTPATIENT
SESSION VI: ANIMAL DISEASE AND VACCINATION

STUDENT OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the session, students should be able to:

 Recognize zoonotic diseases as they pertain to veterinary medicine and the

assistant
 Discuss the principles of vaccination, immunization, passive immunity, titer
and protection as they pertain to vaccines
 Discuss the difference between a modified live and a killed virus vaccine
 Recognize the steps necessary to ensure the effectiveness of vaccine
administration
 Discuss the difference between core and non-core vaccines
 Know the vaccinations available for dog, cat, horse, cow, sheep, pig and
ferret

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VETERINARY ASSISTANT TRAINING
COURSE I: OUTPATIENT
SESSION VI: ANIMAL DISEASES AND VACCINATION

Lecturette Information

Key terms for this session:

 Vaccination – The act or practice of administering a vaccine
 Immunization – The process of inducing active immunity against a foreign
organism
 Antigen – Any substance or agent capable under the right conditions of
stimulating an immune response
 Antibody – Specialized serum proteins produced by B lymphocytes in
response to an antigen, designed to inactivate the antigen
 Active immunity – Stimulation with a specific antigen to promote an immune
response
 Passive immunity – Antibodies are received passively by the offspring from
the mother; they can also be administered by transfusion of serum or gamma
globulin injection
 Titer – Term used to denote a measurable immune system antibody
response to an antigen
 Protection – The ability of the animal to ward off disease
 Bacterin – A suspension of killed or weakened bacteria used as a vaccine
 Killed-virus vaccine – A vaccine composed of organisms that have been
rendered non-infectious
 Modified-live-virus vaccine – A vaccine containing attenuated infectious
organisms
 Attenuated – Process that decreases an organism’s disease causing
potential
 Lyophilized – Freeze-dried infectious organisms used to make a vaccine
 Diluent – The liquid portion of the vaccine that is added to the lyophilized
organism to make a solution
 Core vaccines – Vaccines that provide protection against diseases that are
highly virulent, infectious and widely distributed in a given region
 Non-Core vaccines – Elective vaccines given with consideration given to
disease exposure, distribution, virulence and risk / benefit ratio
 Zoonosis – Refers to diseases that can be passed from animals, wild or
domesticated, to humans
 Multivalent – A vaccine containing more than one antigen or a combination
of immune system stimuli
 Univalent – A vaccine containing only one antigen
 Fibrosarcoma –Type of cancer associated with injections that cause
significant inflammation at the injection site
 Anaphylaxis – Exaggerated allergic reaction to a foreign protein or
substance in the body, as it refers to vaccination

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IMMUNE SYSTEM AND VACCINES
ZOONOTIC DISEASES
Diseases that can be passed from animals to humans are known as zoonotic
diseases. There are many zoonotic agents to which a veterinary assistant can
be exposed. Viral infections, bacterial infections, internal and external parasites
can be zoonotic to humans. Having as understand of how to protect one’s self
from exposure to zoonotic diseases is important. Animals can be vaccinated
against many zoonotic diseases as part of routine veterinary care .

Vaccination is the term used to describe the act or practice of administering a

vaccine. It describes the introduction of foreign antigen into the body with the
intent of stimulating an immune response.

Immunization is the process of inducing active immunity in an animal against a

particular foreign organism, usually through vaccination. Successful vaccination
leads to immunity, where the animal’s immune system has responded to a
vaccine in a measurable way.

Passive immunity refers to the antibodies received passively by the offspring

from the mother, either while in the womb or through her milk. Passive immunity
helps protect newborns from infection while their own immune systems mature.

Titer refers to the quantity of a substance required to react with or to correspond

to a given amount of another substance. With regard to vaccination, it is a way to
measure the degree of an immune system’s antibody production against an
antigen. If an animal has a minimal titer of antibodies prior to vaccination and a
great rise in the titer after vaccination, we can say the animal is immunized.
Running antibody titers in the blood for certain diseases can test immunization.

Protection refers to the ability of an animal to ward off disease when exposed to
a causative agent. The only way to test protection is to challenge the animal with
the disease and see if they get sick.

Vaccines are meant to prevent illness by introducing the immune system to the
causative agent of the disease in a form that does not cause illness. Once
adequately exposed to the disease, the immune system should react to the “real
disease causing organism” with a rapid and effective immune response, keeping
the animal well. In other words, if properly immunized, the animal will not
succumb to the disease because its immune system was adequately prepared to
quickly stop the disease. Veterinarians vaccinate against diseases that can be
fatal, incurable, and difficult to treat and those that are common enough to

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warrant routine protection. Most vaccines protect against viral illnesses. Viruses
enter the body and they use the host’s cellular machinery to replicate or
reproduce themselves and spread to all susceptible cells. In order to vaccinate
and not cause disease, the virus must be changed in one of two ways:

Killed-Virus Vaccine – KV – The organisms that are in killed vaccines have

been treated with heat or chemicals to inactivate them and make them non-
infectious. These vaccines are safe, even for pregnant animals. However, many
killed vaccines need to be “seen” by the animal’s immune system at least twice to
be able to produce a good protective response. Antibody titers produced using a
killed virus have a lower and shorter-lasting effect than those produced using a
modified live vaccine. Therefore the vaccine needs to be given to the animal
more frequently to refresh the immune system’s memory of the antigen.

In a killed vaccine, the infective organism has been completely inactivated and is
unable to infect the animal. Killed vaccines often contain an adjuvant, which is
something that produces inflammation or irritation to get the immune system
stimulated or excited about the vaccine. The adjuvant can produce a painful
reaction at the injection site.

Modified-Live-Virus Vaccine – MLV – Modified live vaccines are designed to

mimic an actual infection by the organisms for which they provide protection.
These vaccines contain a small amount of infectious organism that has been
attenuated. Attenuation is a process that decreases an organism’s disease
causing potential or virulence. This is most often accomplished by growing the
organism in a different host than usual, such as tissue cultures. Because the
organism is attenuated, very little disease should result from the infection. MLV
typically produces a very effective, long-lasting immunity.

There are certain vaccines used against bacteria. They are composed of altered
bacterial components that are unable to reproduce and are called bacterins, not
vaccines, but they work in a similar way. Adjuvants are often added to bacterins
to help stimulate the immune system. In general, it is believed that most animals’
immune systems react most strongly to modified live vaccines, then killed
vaccines, and then bacterins.

VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS
For a vaccine to work and protect an animal, the following must happen:

 The vaccine must be stored properly

 The vaccine must be reconstituted properly
 The vaccine must be administered properly
 The immune system must react effectively to the vaccine
 The immune system must react to the “real disease agent” quicker than that
agent causes disease

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VACCINE PREPARATION
All vaccines are assigned a serial number and an expiration date by the
manufacturer. It may be the responsibility of the veterinary assistant to use this
information to maintain a logbook that catalogues all the vaccines purchased and
administered by the veterinary hospital. The book should include the following
information:

 Patient name
 Owner’s name
 Owner’s address and telephone number
 Vaccine administered
 Serial number, expiration date and manufacturer of the vaccine
 Date of vaccination
 Anatomical site of administered vaccine
 Route of administration

The logbook can serve as a reference should vaccines need to be returned to the
manufacturer for any reason. It can also help to identify a lost animal wearing a
vaccination ID tag and the specific type of vaccine administered should post
injection inflammation occur.

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s directions for storing vaccines. Most

vaccines require refrigeration but should not be frozen.

Vaccines are packaged in either multiple or single dose vials. Many are
packaged in two separate vials per dose. One vial contains the freeze-dried
(lyophilized) infectious organism. The other contains the liquid needed to
reconstitute the vaccine to a liquid form; this liquid is called the diluent and is
often sterile water.

The following steps should be followed for preparing a vaccine for injection:

 Use a sterile needle and syringe

 Be sure the needle is securely attached to the syringe
 For multidose vials: Aspirate 1cc air into the syringe, then put the needle into
the vial and inject the air. Withdraw the prescribed amount of vaccine. Tap
the syringe with the needle toward the ceiling to get the air bubbles to the top.
Push out the air bubbles and replace the needle cap
 For single dose vaccines requiring dilution: Withdraw the entire contents of
the diluent vial into the syringe. Inject the diluent into the vial containing the
lyophilized organisms. Shake gently to mix. Draw out the entire amount of the
rehydrated vaccine. Eliminate the air bubbles and replace the needle cap
 For single dose vials not requiring dilution: Withdraw contents of vial,
eliminate air bubbles and replace the needle cap
 Label the syringe, and notify the veterinarian that it is ready to be
administered

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Vaccines should not be divided into smaller quantities because of an animal’s
size or age. An adult mastiff will receive the same quantity of vaccine as a
poodle puppy.

Most vaccines today are administered subcutaneously (SQ) in the distal thigh or
shoulder area. Some local laws require the rabies vaccine to be administered
intramuscularly (IM) in specific areas of the body. Some vaccines are
administered intranasally (IN). Refer to Course I: Session IV to review animal
restraint.

VACCINATION PRINCIPLES
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Council on
Biological and Therapeutic Agents (COBTA) have undertaken a comprehensive
review of dog and cat vaccination information. In September 2001, the AVMA
approved the “Principles of Vaccination” report, which is published on the AVMA
website at www.AVMA org.

Vaccine recommendations for practitioners were once considered a simple part

of animal care. They are now considered complex and often controversial. The
decision on what diseases to vaccinate against and how often to revaccinate has
become highly individualized. Based on a number of factors, the veterinarian
must decide what vaccines are appropriate for each animal and how often to
revaccinate. For this reason, vaccination protocols may differ markedly in
animals of the same species, different geographical regions, between
neighboring practices and even between individual veterinarians.

The practice of revaccinating animals annually is largely based on historic

precedent supported by minimal scientific data. There is increasing evidence that
many vaccines produce immunity beyond 1 year. Unnecessary stimulation of the
immune system does not result in increased immunity and may expose animals
to unnecessary risks.

Most vaccines on the market are multivalent, and there are unlimited varieties of
vaccine combinations on the market. There is some question about whether
these combination vaccines have a decreased effectiveness with regard to each
component and whether this presents any danger to the recipient.

The most common criticism of the principles of vaccination is a lack of guidance

to practitioners in how to set up specific vaccination programs. Therefore COBTA
set out to write a set of guidelines that would be universally applicable for all
veterinarians. They divided all vaccines into core and non-core categories.

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Core vaccines are defined as vaccines necessary for providing protection in
most animals against the risk of severe disease because the pathogens are
highly virulent, highly infectious and widely distributed within the region.

Core vaccines - Canine

 Rabies
 Canine parvovirus – 2
 Canine distemper
 Hepatitis (canine adenovirus type 2)
 Canine parainfluenza virus

Core vaccines - Feline

 Rabies
 Feline panleukopenia
 Feline calicivirus
 Feline viral rhinotracheitis

Non-core vaccines are those in which the veterinarian must carefully consider
their benefits and risks. The factors for consideration include:
 potential for exposure
 distribution of disease prevalence
 virulence of the disease
 vaccination risk/benefit ratio

Non-core vaccines - Canine

 Bordetella
 Leptospira
 Canine coronavirus infection
 Lyme disease
 Giardia

Non-core vaccines - Feline

 Feline leukemia virus
 Feline immunodeficiency virus
 Chlamydia
 Feline infectious peritonitis

CANINE VACCINES
 Rabies – CORE Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that attacks the
nervous system. It infects humans, and there is no treatment for it once
symptoms develop. The disease is transmitted through bites from infected
animals. Any warm-blooded animal can be a host and carrier of the rabies
virus, but wild animals such as skunks, bats, foxes and raccoons are the most
common carriers. The law requires that the rabies vaccine be given to dogs,

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 cats and sometimes ferrets. Two types of rabies vaccines are manufactured:
one provides immunity for three years, the other for one year.

 Canine Parvovirus - 2 (CPV2) – CORE Parvovirus type-2, commonly called

Parvo, causes severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration and lethargy
and is most often seen in puppies, in which it is often fatal to them. CPV is
spread between dogs through infected feces and can easily be brought into
the home of unexposed dogs on shoes or clothing. The virus is very difficult
to kill with common cleaning agents and can remain active in the environment
for years. Contaminated areas must be cleaned with a 1:30 solution of
bleach and water or special parvocidal disinfectants. The CPV2 vaccine is
usually made from modified live virus. Duration of immunity has been shown
to be 7.5 years in clinical studies.

 Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) – CORE This virus causes respiratory,

digestive and neurological diseases in dogs. There is no treatment, and it
can be fatal. The human measles virus closely resembles the canine
distemper virus. Some veterinarians give a canine D-M (distemper-measles)
vaccine to young puppies. Clinical studies show that duration of immunity is 7
to 15 years.

 Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH) – CORE This virus affects dogs by

causing an inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), is not treatable and can be
fatal. This virus is in the family of viruses called the adenoviruses. An earlier
vaccine for adenovirus type 1 caused many side effects, and it was not
uncommon for puppies to develop “blue eye” (an inflammation of the eye).
For that reason, all vaccines currently on the market utilize modified live
adenovirus type 2 for ICH protection. Adenovirus type 2 does not cause blue
eye and results in cross immunization against both adenovirus 1 and 2.
Duration of immunity has been shown to be 7.5 years in clinical studies.

 Canine Parainfluenza (CPI) – CORE Canine parainfluenza virus is a

common cause of kennel cough. As with most viruses, it is not treatable with
antibiotics but does not cause high mortality. Vaccination is effective for 3
years.

 Bordetella – NON-CORE Bordetella is a bacterium that causes kennel

cough. It most often produces a mild to moderate cough that responds to
antibiotic therapy. Dogs that are frequently exposed to many other dogs or
are frequently kenneled are at the highest risk of contracting this disease. An
intranasal vaccine is available and should be administered at lease 3 days
prior to possible exposure. High-risk dogs may benefit from boosters every
six months.

 Leptospirosis (L) – NON-CORE –Zoonotic infections caused by Leptospira

bacteria that can cause both liver and kidney disease. The disease is spread

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 either through direct contact with contaminated body fluids, such as urine, or
from a contaminated environment. The Leptospira bacterin vaccine may be
helpful, but unfortunately, this bacterin produces immunity for only 6 months
or less after vaccination and does not provide protection against all serovars.
Because it is also the most common cause of adverse reactions to multivalent
canine vaccines, it may not be included in some veterinarians’ vaccination
programs.

 Canine Coronavirus (CCV) – NON-CORE This canine gastrointestinal virus

can cause a syndrome similar to parvovirus. Some veterinarians feel CCV is
not a major cause of illness in dogs older than 6 weeks of age and do not
recommend CCV vaccination. However, some veterinarians recommend
CCV routinely for all dogs. Duration of immunity is a lifetime.

 Lyme Disease (LD) – NON-CORE The organism that causes this disease
enters the dog’s body when an infected deer tick feeds on the dog. Deer ticks
are found in increasingly larger ranges in the northeastern part of the United
States. Lyme disease in dogs can cause fever and lameness. Dogs respond
well with antibiotic treatment once the diagnosis has been made. A vaccine
to protect against Lyme disease is available; however, studies indicate that
adverse reactions from the vaccine may outweigh its use.

 Giardia – NON-CORE Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the

parasitic protozoa Giardia lamblia that can cause severe pain and diarrhea.
This vaccine does not protect against infection, but it may help decrease
shedding of the eggs of the protozoa. The vaccine is typically not given
routinely but on a case-by-case basis.

Canine Vaccination Schedule

Vaccines 2- 5 6- 8 10 – 12 13 – 16 15 – 16 Annual Every
weeks weeks Weeks Weeks Months 3
years
CORE
Rabies x x x
Killed x
Parvovirus
Parvovirus - 2 x x x x x

Distemper x x x x x
Hepititis – x x x x x
(Adenovirus 2)
Parainfluenza x x x x X

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FELINE VACCINES
 Rabies – CORE As with dogs, cats must be vaccinated for rabies as
determined by state law. If a three-year vaccine is used, each booster
administered at over one year of age is good for three years.

 Feline Panleukopenia (FPLV) – CORE This disease used to be called “feline

distemper” and occurs most often in young cats. The disease can cause
vomiting, watery stools and death. The virus that causes feline distemper is
in the same family as canine parvovirus, is spread through infected feces and
can be highly infectious in the environment for many months. Immunity may
last longer than 7 years in some cats.

 Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV) – CORE These

two diseases are caused by two viruses, each spread between cats in
droplets of fluid either sneezed into the air or on human hands. The diseases
are seen mostly in kittens and cause runny nose, sneezing, pus-filled eyes
and ulcers in the mouth. Some cats become chronic carriers of these viruses.
FVR and FCV are usually combined with FPLV into a multivalent vaccine,
commonly referred to as FVRCP. Immunity can last for 3 years in fully
immunized adult cats.

 Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) –

NON-CORE These viruses can cause cancer and immunodeficiency
diseases in cats (like HIV). No treatment is available once persistent FeLV or
FIV infection has been diagnosed. The viruses are spread from infected cats
through their blood and saliva. Since they are contracted through intimate
contact with infected cats, outdoor cats are at the greatest risk for FeLV and
FIV infection. Multiple cat households in which any cat goes outdoors are
also at high risk for the spread of infection as well. It is strongly
recommended that FeLV and FIV vaccination be considered only for cats
belonging to a high-risk group. Most veterinarians recommend a test for
FeLV and FIV infection prior to vaccination to be sure the cat is not already
infected. Both are latent viral infections that can take three years or more
from the time of infection for symptoms to manifest. The manufacturer
recommends annual booster vaccinations for immunized cats.

 Chlamydia – NON-CORE Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that causes

respiratory disease and conjunctivitis in cats. The disease is most common in
kittens less than two months of age but can be seen in cats of all ages. The
usual symptoms include watery red eyes, sneezing and a cough. In the
isolated cat, this infection is usually quite treatable with antibiotics. It can be
difficult to control in multi-cat households and catteries. Vaccination does not
prevent infection with the bacteria; however, it does decrease the severity of
the disease.

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 Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – NON-CORE FIP is a complicated
disease that is very difficult to diagnose. It can affect many different organ
systems, including the lungs, brain and eyes. Affected cats can be thin,
depressed and often produce a stringy yellow fluid in the abdominal or chest
cavities. An intranasal vaccine against FIP is available; however, its
effectiveness is controversial.

Feline Vaccination Schedule

Vaccines 2- 5 6- 8 10 – 13 15 Annual Every
weeks weeks Weeks Months 3
years
CORE
Rabies x x x
Feline x x x x x
panleukopenia
Feline calicivirus x x x x x

Feline viral x x x x x
rhinotracheitis

ADVERSE VACCINATION REACTIONS

It is important to document and immediately report all adverse vaccination
reactions to the veterinarian on duty. Adverse reactions may include:
 Anaphylaxis
 Hives
 Facial edema - itching
 Periocular swelling
 Pain and swelling at the injection site
 Lethargy or fever
 Immune-mediated blood disorders
 Fibrosarcoma at the injection site

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 EQUINE VACCINES
Disease Symptoms Vaccination Schedule
Adult horses
Tetanus – “Lockjaw” Paralytic neurological Annually in adult horses
disease caused by soil
dwelling bacteria
Equine Virus – Transmitted by Annually in regional
Encephalomyelitis: infected biting insects - areas prior to insect
Western Causes fever, staggering, season
Eastern paralysis, death -
Venezuelan “Sleeping Sickness”

Equine Influenza Virus – Causes acute High risk horses – every

respiratory disease 6 months
-Fever, cough, nasal
discharge, lethargy
Equine Herpesvirus Several viral types exist – High risk horses – every
(EHV) Causes respiratory 6 months
(Rhinopneumonitis) disease with fever, runny
nose, cough, lethargy,
abortion
Strangles – “Equine Bacteria - Causes sore Only high risk horses
Distemper” throat, abundant thick
mucus from the nose,
abscesses of lymph
nodes of throat area,
difficulty breathing
Rabies Virus – Causes Annually in adult horses
neurological disease –
death - Zoonosis
West Nile Virus Viral disease transmitted Vaccinate prior to
by infected mosquito – mosquito season
Causes fever, muscle
twitching neurological
signs, death
Potomac Horse Fever Intracellular parasite of High risk horses residing
white blood cells – near large waterways
Transmission –
freshwater snails, fluke
larvae - Causes fever,
loss of appetite,
abdominal pain and
diarrhea

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Botulism Bacteria – Causes In regional areas of risk
neuromuscular
weakness, paralysis,
death – “Shaker foal
syndrome” – foal infected
through umbilical cord or
ingested spores
Anthrax Bacteria – Resulting from Only in high risk areas
ingestion of contaminated
soil or water – Zoonotic

NOTES:

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 BOVINE VACCINES
Disease Symptoms
Rabies Virus – Causes
neurological disease –
death - Zoonotic
Bovine Respiratory Virus – Causes
Syncytial Virus - BRSV pneumonia
Brucellosis Bacteria - Causes
abortion - Zoonotic
Infectious Bovine Virus - Symptoms range
Rhinotracheitis - IBR from upper respiratory
tract disease to abortion
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus - Causes fever, lack
virus - BVDv of appetite, mild diarrhea,
abortion, mouth and
digestive tract ulcers,
diarrhea
Bovine Parainfluenza Virus - Causes mild
type 3 – PI3 respiratory disease
Leptospira Bacteria - Can have no
symptoms, abortion and
fever, bloody urine if
infecting the kidneys
Clostridia Bacteria - Causes many
different diseases
depending on infecting
type of bacteria
Pasteurella Bacteria - Called
“shipping fever” – Causes
runny nose, cough, fever,
lack of appetite
Trichomonas Single celled parasite –
Causes abortion and
infertility in breeding
cattle
Vaccination Schedule
Varies with manufacturer
Vaccination as early as 6
months of age – Varies
with manufacturer
Calves: Vaccinations
regulated by the USDA
Vaccinate at 6 and 12
months of age
Vaccinate at 6 and 12
months of age
Vaccinate at 6 to 12
months of age
Calves: Vaccinate after 6
months of age and at 1
year – Yearly boosters if
at risk
Varies with manufacturer
Varies with manufacturer
Vaccination as early as 3
months of age - Varies
with manufacturer

NOTES:

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 SHEEP VACCINES
Disease Symptoms Vaccination Schedule
Enterotoxemia Called “over eating Ewes: Vaccinate at 6 and
disease” 4 weeks before lambing –
Caused by Clostridia booster annually 4 weeks
bacteria – Once grain before lambing
fed, bacteria produces Lambs: Vaccinate at 4
toxins – circling, head weeks and at weaning
shaking, convulsions,
death
Foot rot Bacteria - causes Vaccinate 2 weeks before
limping, foul odor, seasonal outbreak,
distorted foot growth repeat 4 to 6 weeks later
Vibriosis Bacteria – causes Vaccinate ewes when
abortion bred, repeat at beginning
of last trimester
Bluetongue Virus – Causes drooling, Ewes: Vaccinate 1 month
swelling of mouth, turns before breeding
bluish color, weakness, Lambs: Vaccinate 4
weight loss months of age
Soremouth Virus – Causes sores Lambs: Vaccinate if there
and scabs on lips, mouth, is a problem – follow
nose, eyelids, weight loss manufacturer’s directions
- Zoonotic

Tetanus Bacteria – Causes Lambs: Vaccinate 2

paralytic disease doses 1 month apart –
Annual booster

NOTES:

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 SWINE VACCINES
Disease Symptoms
Scours – Virus All cause diarrhea,
Escherichia coli - vomiting, dehydration,
Bacteria death
Rotavirus –Virus
Atrophic rhinitis Caused by Bordetella
and Pasteurella bacteria
– Causes sneezing,
misshapen snouts,
pneumonia
Enzootic pneumonia Mycoplasma organism –
Causes coughing,
chronic pneumonia
Porcine reproductive and Virus – Can cause
respiratory syndrome reproductive and
respiratory symptoms
Erysipelas Called “diamond skin
disease” – Bacteria –
Causes sores on back,
fever, stiff joints,
diarrhea, abortion, death
Pseudorabies Virus - Attacks the
nervous system –
Causes convulsions,
excessive scratching,
death
NOTES:
Course I: Session VI: Page 27
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccinate pregnant sows
at 6 weeks, repeat 2
weeks before piglets are
born
Pregnant sows:
Vaccinate 4 weeks,
repeat 2 weeks before
piglets are born
Pigs: Vaccinate at
weaning, repeat 2 weeks
later
Breeding pigs: Vaccinate
yearly to reduce disease
Weanlings: Vaccinate 2
doses 2 weeks apart
Vaccinate to control
disease – Piglets 3 to 4
weeks of age
Sows: Vaccinate 2 to 4
weeks before birthing
Piglets: Vaccinate 6 to 8
weeks old
Vaccination does not
prevent disease – Only
state veterinarian
administers vaccine
 FERRET VACCINES
Disease Symptoms Vaccination Schedule
Canine distemper virus Causes respiratory flu- FerVacD – Univalent
like symptom; frequently canine distemper vaccine
fatal – vaccinate at 6-8 weeks
then every 3-4 weeks till
12 weeks of age - annual
vaccination
recommended
Rabies virus Causes neurological Vaccinate at 12-16 weeks
disease, death (rare in then annual boosters –
ferrets) MD law encourages
vaccination compliance

NOTES:

SUGGESTED READING
The Veterinary Technician in Small Animal Practice, Cynthia S. Intravartolo and
Ralph C, Richardson, Burgess Publishing Company, 1983.

Laboratory Profiles of Small Animal Diseases – Guide to Laboratory Diagnosis,

Sodikoff and Mosby, 1995.

McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians – 7th Edition - Joanna M.

Bassert and Dennis M. McCurnin – W. B. Saunders Company, 2010

Course I: Session VI: Page 28