We have arrived in the New Year. Hopefully many of our readers would have listened to our call to give a pet a “forever home” from any of the Animal Shelters that has wonderful canines and felines to adopt. The last two columns dealt with animal care at Christmas and the happiness a family can experience by adding a pet to the home. Now, in this first column for 2021, we must return to the more common discussions on animal disorders and their healing. Readers would have noticed that before we got into Christmas mode, we were discussing diseases for which vaccines exist. Before we go any further into discussions on actual diseases affecting pets, it may be more valuable to spend some time dealing with vaccinations and immunity. Currently, these terms are being thrown around – fast and furious – not least because of the emergence of the Corona Virus, stress can affect canines, and veterinarians (including those in Guyana) have been vaccinating dogs for many years.
GENERAL COMMENTS Infectious / infectious diseases in animals (and humans) can be caused by germs (viruses, bacteria, single-celled organisms called protozoa, fungi, etc.). If dogs / cats / any pets remain unprotected, they may become ill and even die. These germs can be transmitted from one contaminated animal (carrier) to a healthy animal by: ● Faeces (stool); ● urine; ● Other germ-laden fluids (from the nostrils / eyes / mouth, ears), from which droplets can be inhaled; ● The genital tract in mating; ● Soil; ● Germs that can enter their bodies through damaged skin.
FACILITY AND IMMUNITY To understand the link between vaccination and immunity, you need to have certain basic knowledge: (i) When a germ enters the animal’s body, the animal’s defenses are immediately alerted, and a reactive process is initiated whereby several chemicals are released to react and resist the intruder. In fact, the animal generates specific chemical reactions, i.e. antibodies, not only to deal with the uninvited alien interneuron with current intentions with bad intentions, but also to ensure future protection from redefinition. This system / process is called Active Immunity. (ii) Active Immunity may also be obtained by Vaccination. The functional efficacy, over time, decreases in strength. It is for this reason (among others) that several vaccinations are given during the recommended “primary course” and the annual “Booster Shots”. (iii) Antibodies are very specific in their actions. They will attack and destroy only that kind of germ that had originally motivated their creation. (iv) There is also Passive Immunity, which the puppy / puppy can get from the mother / cat, who may have previously been immune to the aftermath of a germ, or vaccination. This immunity is transmitted to the puppy through the milk during suckling (especially during the first 2-3 days of nursing). This type of immunity (protection) does not last long (no more than 4 months). Also, it binds to species. “Rover”, the dog, cannot catch disease and create immunity from a horse. Of course, some diseases are not species specific, and can cause illness, even killing individuals belonging to several diverse species. Tetanus, for example, comes to mind. In passing (and for the particularly inaccurate), I should mention that there is another method of providing Passive Immunity (Passive Antibodies). Veterinarians may administer a serum from another dog with a high level of type-specific antibodies. But we don’t usually do this, just because it is so simple to introduce the vaccination schedule, which we will discuss next week. (v) It is important that I mention: (a) A caregiver must tell the veterinarian who recently married the mother dog. Vaccine makers, as well as veterinarians, go to great lengths to report that a pregnant dog may lose its puppies if vaccinated during pregnancy. (b) It is essential not to vaccinate the puppies before they are 6 weeks old. (vi) Having documented (i) to (v) above, it must be made clear that malnourished, infirm, diseased puppies / dogs / cats may not be able to produce antibodies and / or build up a solid immune response to overcome germs. Your vet will decide how to treat such cases. And, of course, puppies / puppies (as mentioned above) should never be vaccinated under 3 to 4 weeks of age. To all pet owners and caregivers, please receive our best wishes for 2021
