Tag Archives: genital warts

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: When Vet Opinions Differ

I know I talk a lot about vaccines, both here in the Pets Blog and over in the Health Blog. The way I see it, immunization helps prevent diseases that would otherwise ravage the population. The one vaccine we require at the cats-only boarding facility is FVRCP — the upper respiratory combination vaccine. Cats from different families never come into physical contact with each other, but they are breathing the same air in the room. Some veterinarians believe that the FVRCP vaccine is good for three years; others feel that it only absolutely protects cats for one year. The vet … Continue reading →

Vaccine Fact and Fiction

Feeling hesitant about your own (or your child’s) vaccinations? Only one of the following three popular beliefs about vaccinations is true. Mercury in vaccines can accumulate in the body. The flu vaccine can actually cause the flu. People can have allergic reactions to vaccines. Do you know which one is true? It’s the third one — allergic reactions. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, out of one million vaccines given, only ONE vaccine will cause a severe allergic reaction or death. Mild allergic reactions are slightly more common. If you do experience a reaction to a vaccine, a … Continue reading →

Health and the Youngest Child

Studies are showing that birth order can actually have an impact on health. You can’t help the order that your children are born in. But knowing what ailments are likely to strike your youngest child can help you keep them safe, happy, and healthy! Youngest (and middle) children are less likely to suffer from allergies, asthma, and eczema. Oldest children often aren’t exposed to a variety of germs until they reach school age; the oldest bring the bacteria and viruses home to younger siblings, encouraging them to develop stronger immune systems. Youngest children in families with four or more children … Continue reading →

What is FVRCP?

If you are a cat owner, your cat has probably received the FVRCP vaccination. But do you know what it does? The FVRCP vaccination protects your cat against three contagious diseases. Kittens receive four FVRCP injections, starting at the age of six to eight weeks. A booster shot is typically given annually, though some experts believe a less frequent booster shot would be just as effective. FVR = Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis. This is a severe upper respiratory infection that is most dangerous to young kittens and older cats. The virus is extremely contagious to cats, and is caused by a … Continue reading →

Recommended Vaccines For Adults

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Regular immunizations have virtually wiped out diseases that used to cause serious problems in the general population. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend several vaccinations for adults. Tetanus/Diphtheria (also known as Td) — protects against tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria. The initial vaccination is a three dose series. The first dose now, the second dose four weeks later, and the third dose six to twelve months after the second. Adults also need a booster shot every ten years or so. Influenza (also known as the flu shot) — a yearly vaccination to protect against the flu. Recommended for adults over … Continue reading →

Chickenpox Vaccine

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Raise your hand if you’ve had chickenpox. I sort of had it twice — my father had it when I was a baby, and my parents tell me I had the rash on my rump. I had it again a few years later, and suffered through the itching by getting painted with calamine lotion. Chickenpox (varicella) is a very common childhood disease; it seems to get harder to deal with as the patient gets older. The disease is most dangerous to infants and adults — as many as 100 people die because of chickenpox here in the U.S. Around twelve … Continue reading →

FDA Issues Warning for Rotavirus Vaccine

Vaccinations are a hotly debated topic among parents. A lot of parents feel that there is no longer a need for vaccinations and that we are over medicating our kids with unresearched products. Other people feel that serious illnesses were wiped out because of vaccination and that if everybody stops vaccinating we will see a resurgence of things like polio, the mumps and measles. I personally am of the mind set that each family needs to do research and make the decision that is right for their family. There have been some excellent blogs that have been written about vaccination … Continue reading →

Vaccinations in Adopted Children and Families

What should one consider about vaccinations for adopted children, and even for adoptive parents? The parents, you ask? Parents adopting children may be advised to get vaccines they may not already have been given. For example, although most children today are routinely given Hepatitis B vaccines, they were not routinely given when most of us were kids and many adults have not had them. People traveling to Asia to pick up their children are advised to get them. In fact, there is a higher rate of Hepatitis B in Asia and parents adopting from there may be advised to get … Continue reading →

The Fox in the Woods: A Lesson in Rabies

The other night when I took Murphy for a walk, we ran into Sophie (a husky/Shepard mix) and her mom Nila. Sophie is one of Murph’s dog pals (actually, I tease him she’s his girlfriend) who’s always happy to see her boyfriend. (Nila’s usually happy to see us too, but she doesn’t jump around and carry on with glee like Sophie does.) Since we were both just starting our walks, we decided to walk together. That’s when Nila told me that Ms. Tina, who’s Lady’s mom (Lady, a beagle, is Sophie’s best friend and Murph’s other good buddy) knocked on … Continue reading →

Vaccinations For Dogs

Vaccinations protect your pets against diseases that we were once helpless against. Diseases like rabies and distemper are easily prevented, helping ensure your pet has a long and healthy life. Vaccinating your pets also helps protect you and your family — some diseases can be passed from animal to human. The American Animal Hospital Association released canine vaccine guidelines in 2003 and updated them in 2006 to help veterinarians administer appropriate vaccines to dogs. The guidelines were developed by veterinarians, researchers, immunologists, and infectious disease experts. There are two different kinds of vaccine: core vaccines and noncore vaccines. Core vaccines … Continue reading →