What Is a Vaccine and How Does It Protect Your Pet?

Vaccination plays an important role in helping protect our pets and horses from some of the more serious infectious diseases they may be exposed to.

But what exactly is a vaccine, and how does it work?

Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated particles of the disease that they are designed to protect against. These particles fast-track and trigger a protective immune response from the body without the pet actually getting the disease, or at least being affected to a lesser extent.

This protective immune response has a “memory”, so the body can recognise the disease if exposed in the future. Most vaccines need to be boosted at some stage so the body continues to recognise the disease if exposed.

There are several different types of vaccines, depending on the disease being protected against and the type of immune response required.

Live attenuated vaccines contain whole bacteria or viruses that have been weakened, or attenuated.

These vaccines tend to stimulate a strong and lasting immune response and provide some of the best disease protection.

Killed or inactivated vaccines contain viruses that have been killed or inactivated and cannot replicate.

These vaccines are more suitable if the patient has a weaker immune system, although they do not provide as strong or as long-lasting protection as live attenuated vaccines.

Subunit vaccines do not contain a whole bacteria or virus, but only specific antigens.

They do not create as strong or long-lasting a protection, but may have adjuvants added which help strengthen and lengthen the immune response.

There is more likely to be a local reaction or sore spot if an adjuvant has been added.

Some bacteria produce toxins, which are the harmful part of the disease process.

An inactivated version of these toxins can be made and used in a vaccine, helping to trigger a strong immune response.

At Townsville Veterinary Clinic, different vaccines are available for dogs, cats and horses.

C3 - Live Attenuated

The C3 vaccine contains:

• Canine Distemper
• Canine Hepatitis
• Canine Parvovirus

The particular Parvo vaccine we use is registered to prevent viral excretion, making it especially useful in a Parvo outbreak.

C5 - Live Attenuated

The C5 vaccine contains the C3 components, along with:

• Bordetella
• Parainfluenza

Both Bordetella and Parainfluenza are associated with canine flu.

Lepto Australis - Killed

F3 - Live Attenuated

The F3 vaccine contains:

• Feline Herpes virus
• Calicivirus
• Rhinotracheitis

Feline Aids - Killed

This vaccine provides protection against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

The vaccines available for horses include:

• Hendra - Subunit
• Tetanus - Toxoid
• Strangles - Killed

Vaccines remain one of the safest ways to protect against some of the more serious infectious diseases.

While no vaccine provides 100% protection, vaccination can significantly lessen the symptoms experienced if an animal is exposed to disease.

In the case of Hendra, vaccination is particularly important because we not only vaccinate to provide protection for our horses, but also to help protect the humans who come into contact with them.

If you would like more information about vaccinations for your dog, cat or horse, speak with our team. 

Visit townsvillevetclinic.com.au for more information on caring for your pets, large and small, and the services we provide.