- Get a rabies vaccine for your dog—it’s the law. Rabies is a fatal, and preventable, disease that can be spread to humans by contact with saliva, so it’s mandatory within the United States. Your veterinarian is bound by law to give your pet a rabies vaccine to protect you, as well as your pet; if an unvaccinated pet is scratched or bitten by a wild animal, it can lead to your pet being quarantined or euthanized. Learn the specifics about the rabies laws in your state at rabiesaware.org.
- Not all dogs and cats need every vaccine. Your veterinarian will ask you questions about your pet's lifestyle, environment, and travel to help tailor the perfect vaccination plan for them. AAHA’s Lifestyle-Based Vaccine Calculator uses factors such as whether your dog visits dog parks, groomers, competes in dog shows, swims in freshwater lakes, or lives on converted farmland to help you and your veterinarian develop your dog’s individualized vaccination plan.
- There are “core” and “noncore” vaccines. Vaccinations are designated as either core, meaning they are recommended for every dog, or noncore, which means they are recommended for dogs at risk for contracting a specific disease. However, your veterinarian may reclassify a “noncore” vaccine as “core” depending on your dog’s age, lifestyle, and where you live—for instance, in a region like New England where Lyme disease is prevalent, that vaccine may be considered “core.”
- Core vaccinations for our dogs:
- DA2PP/DHPP (canine parvovirus, adenovirus, hepatitis, and distemper, parainfluenza) - This vaccine is highly encouraged as they are all very contagious and serious diseases that are caused by multiple viruses. Canine distemper is a virus that attacks our dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system. Adenovirus can cause upper respiratory tract infections. This virus targets the functional parts of the organs, most commonly the liver, kidneys, eyes, and endothelial cells. Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect dogs of all ages, but most commonly unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months. This virus affects their gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by contact with other dogs, as well as contaminated feces, soil, and people. Symptoms of parvovirus include bloody diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, fever, and vomiting. Parainfluenza is spread by close contact with other dogs that affects their respiratory tract, increasing their risk of kennel cough.
- Rabies - This vaccine is required by law, as it is transmittable to people. It is transmitted through blood or saliva from a bite from an infected animal to our pets, of which include bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks.
- Noncore vaccinations for our dogs:
- Bordetella - This vaccine is often recommended for pets who go to boarding, grooming, doggy day cares, or dog parks. It is a highly contagious, airborne upper respiratory virus. This virus is typically not life threatening, but can cause an unproductive, dry cough that can last a few weeks.
- Leptospirosis - This vaccine is highly recommended for our PNW pups! This disease is caused by Leptospira bacteria from wildlife urine, which can be found in our soil and still-water sources. Symptoms of this disease can include fever, muscle sensitivity, lethargy, increased thirst and urination, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or jaundice (yellowing of skin, eyes, and gums). This disease is zoonotic, meaning that is transmittable to people!
- Canine Influenza - This vaccine is often recommended for pets who go to boarding, grooming, doggy day care, or dog parks. This is a contagious respiratory disease caused by Type A influenza. There are two strains of influenza - H3N8 or H3N2.
- Lyme - This vaccine is often recommend for our hunting dogs, or dogs who go through tall grass often. This disease is the most common tick-transmitted disease, but only causes symptoms in about 10% of affected dogs. Common symptoms include recurring lameness due to joint inflammation, general discomfort, and lack of appetite. Serious, yet rare, complications of the disease can lead to damaged kidneys, heart disease, and nervous system disease.
- Core vaccinations for our cats:
- FVRCP (feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpesvirus type 1) - This vaccine is highly encouraged as they are all highly contagious and serious diseases that are caused by multiple viruses. Panleukopenia is highly contagious and causes symptoms similar to parvovirus in dogs. This virus can affect our cat's immune system, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system. Rhinotracheitis, also known as herpesvirus, affects cats of all life stages and is spread from close contact of an affect cats' saliva or nasal/eye discharge. Calicivirus can cause upper respiratory infections, as well as oral diseases in our cats. It is also spread by saliva or nasal/eye discharge, however direct contact is not required for transmission.
- Rabies - This vaccine is required by law, as it is transmittable to people. It is transmitted through blood or saliva from a bite from an infected animal to our pets, of which include bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks.
- Noncore vaccination for our cats:
- FELV (feline leukemia) - This vaccine is often recommended as a kitten to give them the antibodies that are needed and are highly encouraged for our outdoor kitties. This virus is most commonly spread through close contact, like cat fights! There are a wide variety of symptoms, but this virus can ultimately cause cancer as it weakens their immune system.
The City of Mukilteo contracts with the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to provide sheltering services. Statistics from PAWS shows a marked difference between the numbers of cats and dogs coming into the shelter. The number of cats taken to the shelter is significantly higher than the number of dogs. An increase in the number of dogs having ID tags or microchips enables the return of more dogs to their owners instead of impounding them.