Irvington Veterinary Clinic

1427 NE Fremont Street Portland, OR 97212

503.953.8078

Irvington Veterinary Clinic is a small, family owned practice located in the Irvington neighborhood of Northeast Portland, Oregon. We specialize in veterinary medicine specifically tailored to each pet's unique lifestyle and needs.

 Vaccination Information and Consent Form

At Irvington Veterinary Clinic, we want you to be an advocate for your pet’s health. There are many different opinions out there on what type and how frequently vaccines should be given to your pet. With the help of our Doctors and staff, we would like to educate you on your options and allow you to decide what protocol works best for you and your pet’s lifestyle.

Immunity is a complex series of defense mechanisms by which an animal can resist infection or minimally reduce disease and the harmful consequences of the infection. Vaccinations are one of the most important preventative measures we can do to help protect our pets from many highly contagious diseases. Whether indoors, outdoors, or both, vaccinations are essential in protecting your pet from devastating and even fatal infectious diseases.  

That said, from a holistic standpoint, vaccines can also potentially be the cause of disease that is seen many months to years down the road. Vaccines are not benign, and they stimulate the immune system. Without vaccines (just as in people) there would certainly be more devastating diseases seen on a regular basis. In animals, though, it seems we push the number of vaccines to an excess throughout the pet’s life. 

In general, vaccines are very safe and inexpensive. However, like any drug, they are not always 100% safe or effective. Not all vaccines eliminate disease; some only decrease the severity of the disease if your pet is exposed.  We would like to do all that we can to avoid any side effects of vaccines while keeping your pets protected from these diseases. Some vaccines, like Rabies, are required by law to help protect not only your pet but humans that interact with your pet.

The purpose of this form is to make you aware of the diseases that we vaccinate for, their possible side effects, our recommendations as your pet’s healthcare provider, and your choices as their owner and caregiver.

Dangers in Vaccinations

Although we do not see severe side effects of vaccines very often, it is our responsibility to make you aware of what they can be. The following side effects are what you may encounter from any vaccine; however, some reactions occur more frequently with certain vaccines. It is also important to know that these reactions are not limited to vaccines. Any drug given to any animal has the potential to cause these similar reactions. The most common reaction after a vaccination is given is sleepiness and pain at the vaccine site for up to 24 hours.

  • Anaphylactic Reaction – This is an extremely rare but severe allergic response when the animal collapses almost immediately after receiving a vaccine. This usually occurs before you leave the hospital. This is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening.

  • Allergic Reaction – This is a slightly more common type of reaction. Animals will show signs of an allergic reaction by both having swelling of the face and limbs, or vomiting and diarrhea the day of, or a few days following vaccination. This can become severe if the swelling affects their breathing. Most of the time, however, it does not. This type of reaction does require medical attention and treatment as well as future precautions when giving the particular vaccine that caused the reaction. 

  • Swelling, scar tissue, pain – Sometimes after a vaccination is given your pet will experience pain, swelling, or even scar tissue at the location of the vaccination. The swelling and pain typically resolve after a few days. If you think this is happening, please contact our office to decide if your pet should be seen.

  • Signs of Disease – Some animals will display a mild form of the disease you are vaccinating against after they have received the vaccination. This is most common with respiratory diseases, such as Bordetella and Feline Upper Respiratory.

  • Vaccine-induced Fibrosarcomas – These are cancerous tumors that can occur at the site of any injection and in any species. They can occur within days to years after receiving a vaccine. The most common culprit in the literature is the Feline Leukemia vaccine. Many of the feline vaccines have been tailored to address this specific problem and are safer now than they have ever been.

-Cats-

  • Please read through the following explanation of the vaccines available for your cat and sign below.

Core Vaccines

  • Recommended for all kittens and cats by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Vaccine Task Force

FVRCP

  • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, Panleukopenia Virus - this is a combination vaccine that includes 3 contagious diseases.  You may have heard it referred to as the “distemper” or “upper respiratory” vaccine for cats.  

  • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calici Virus: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (caused by Feline Herpes (FHV-1)) and Calicivirus (FCV) infection compose the majority of the upper respiratory infections in cats. Transmission of organisms is directly from cat to cat in nasal, oral, and ocular secretions or through fomites (solid structures such as dishes, toys, litter boxes, and people). This disease is usually cleared by the cat, but in some cases, infected cats may develop chronic oculo-nasal disease.  FHV-1 infections are lifelong and reactivation of the virus along with recurrent disease can occur during times of stress or a suppressed immune system. Some cats infected with FCV can shed the virus (be contagious to others) for prolonged periods without displaying clinical signs.  FCV is the culprit in some chronic lameness or chronic oral inflammatory lesions in cats. Sneezing, ocular and/or nasal discharge, oral cavity ulcers, anorexia, and fever are common clinical signs of the disease. Kittens are the most susceptible to severe and rarely fatal diseases caused by these 2 viruses. There is no human health concern with this disease.

  • Vaccination against FHV-1 and FCV is highly recommended for all cats.  Some cats will exhibit signs of the disease for a short period after receiving the vaccine. Titers can be run later to determine frequency of revaccination.

  • Feline Panleukopenia is caused by a parvovirus but acts differently in cats than in dogs. This virus can remain infectious in the environment for months to years. The fecal-oral route is the primary mechanism for spreading this disease. Fomites also play an important role in transmission. Panleukopenia causes weakness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, a profound decrease in all white blood cells, and death. There is no human health concern with this disease.

  • Vaccination against panleukopenia is highly recommended for all cats.  Titers can be run later to determine frequency of revaccination.

Rabies

  • Rabies Virus - Rabies is transmitted through bite wounds or inhalation of aerosolized feces of infected animals.  In Oregon, bats are more commonly infected than raccoons.  More cats than dogs develop rabies in the USA. Companion animals serve as a source of infection for human beings. Treatment is ineffective in cats showing signs of disease. Symptoms can be either a normal cat that has turned extremely aggressive and delusional or a cat that becomes almost comatose and stuporous.

  • Vaccination against Rabies is required by law for all cats in Multnomah County. Vaccine-induced sarcomas have been reported primarily with adjuvanted Rabies vaccines. At Irvington Veterinary Clinic we recommend using a ONE –YEAR non-adjuvanted Merial PureVax brand Rabies vaccine.  It has not yet been confirmed that this vaccine is completely risk-free, but it is thought to be the safest available for cats.

  • Feline Leukemia Vaccine (FeLV) - FeLV infection causes immunosuppression, anemia, neoplasia (cancer), and death. It is highly contagious through (both friendly and unfriendly) contact between cats. Mutual grooming, bite wounds, and continual sharing of utensils, dishes, etc can transmit this disease. Mom can also pass FeLV on to her kittens in utero or through infected milk.  Young kittens are the most susceptible to the disease. There are no human health risks.

FeLV

  • Vaccination against FeLV is highly recommended in kittens and young outdoor cats.  The Feline Vaccine Task Force recommends continual yearly vaccines. It is questionable whether an adult cat that has had 3 or 4 vaccines is truly at risk for the disease if vaccines are not continued.

    Non-Core Vaccines

  • These vaccines are not recommended for your cat. Most of them are not known to be effective enough against the disease and have the potential to cause the disease itself.

  • FIV

  • Giardia

  • Chlamydia

  • Corona

  • FIP

-Dogs-

  • Please read through the explanation of the following vaccines for your dog and sign below.

Core Vaccines

  • Recommended for all puppies and dogs by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Task Force

DA2P 

  • Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus (DA2P) - this is a combination vaccine that protects against three contagious diseases. It is often abbreviated and called the “Distemper” vaccine.

  • Distemper is a virus that causes a range of symptoms from mild respiratory or intestinal disease to severe life-threatening neurologic disease. It is found in the environment and carried by raccoons, ferrets, skunks, etc. Disease is mostly spread through aerosolized respiratory secretions. Direct contact with affected urine, feces, or skin may also result in infection.  Young dogs are most susceptible, and Distemper can be transmitted from mom to her pups in utero. There are no human health risks. 

  • Adenovirus Type 2 is an adenovirus that can cause acute death or chronic liver disease (hepatitis).  Clinical signs vary and may include, but are not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, fever, “blue eye”, or central nervous system signs.  Transmission is through direct contact with other dogs, mucous membrane secretions, urine, feces, etc., and fomites.  Dogs less than 1 year of age are most susceptible. This also cross protects against Adenovirus Type 1 which causes respiratory illness associated with “Kennel Cough”. There are no human health risks.  

  • Parvovirus is a virus that destroys specific cells in the small intestine and depletes the body’s white blood cell counts causing severe and potentially life-threatening diarrhea, vomiting, hemorrhage, and shock.  Transmission is through fecal-oral route, direct contact with an infected animal or environment.  Parvo is an extremely resistant virus that can live in the environment for upwards of 2 years and is highly resistant to most disinfectants. Puppies and unvaccinated adults are most susceptible to the disease. There are no human health risks.

  • Vaccination against DA2P is highly recommended for all dogs.

Rabies

  • Rabies Virus - Rabies is transmitted through bite wounds or inhalation of aerosolized feces of infected animals.  In Oregon, bats are more commonly infected than raccoons.  More cats than dogs develop rabies in the USA. Companion animals serve as a source of infection for human beings. Treatment is ineffective in dogs showing signs of disease. Symptoms can be either a normal dog that has turned extremely aggressive and delusional or a dog that becomes almost comatose and stuporous.

  • Vaccination against Rabies is required by law for all dogs. 

Non-Core Vaccines

  • Recommended for puppies and dogs in special circumstances, dependent on the exposure risk of an individual dog by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Task Force.

  • Bordetella bronchiseptica / Parainfluenza (“Kennel Cough”)

Borrelia burgdorferi or Lyme disease

  • Bordetella is a contagious infection that can cause respiratory diseases such as tracheitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Young dogs are most commonly affected and signs include a dry hacking cough that worsens with excitement, fever, nasal and ocular discharge. The vaccine itself is effective for approximately 6 months – 1 year.  This vaccine may not prevent the disease, but usually lessens the severity or length of the disease. There are many potential components; bacteria and viruses that can be associated with “Kennel Cough”.  Transmission occurs through direct contact or secretions from the eyes, nose and mouth of infected dogs.  You may be required by boarding facilities, doggy daycares, or groomers to have this vaccine before your dog can enter those facilities. Each facility has its own timeline for when the vaccine is required. Dog parks are another place for potential exposure. We only recommend vaccinating when exposure may be high. There are no human health risks.

  • Parainfluenza is a virus that causes flu-like symptoms in dogs. Clinical signs can include nasal and ocular discharge, coughing, sneezing, or fever and lethargy. It can be associated with kennel cough and symptoms look similar to the canine flu, or the H1N1 virus. It is not typically life-threatening. Transmission is through direct contact with an infected animal, especially through their secretions like sneezing or coughing. There are no human health risks. We recommend this vaccine when vaccinating for Kennel Cough.

    Leptospira

  • Leptospirosis is a bacterium that primarily affects the liver and kidneys. The bacteria are carried by rats, other rodents, and wildlife; but can also affect almost any mammalian species, including people. Infected or recovered “carrier” dogs may act as a source of the infection. Ingestion of infected urine or rodent-contaminated garbage is the most common means of transmission, but some forms of the bacteria can penetrate damaged or thin skin. For instance, when dogs swim in contaminated water, they may become infected through their skin. The incubation period (from infection to onset of clinical signs) is usually four to twelve days. Clinical signs can range from nothing to life-threatening disease. Symptoms may include fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or jaundice. If the kidneys are involved one may also see excessive drinking and urination. There are many, many strains of Leptospirosis, and the most recent vaccine covers 4 of them. It is unknown yet if there is cross-protection between these 4 strains and the others out there. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to people, so owners of dogs that may have the disease should avoid contact between the owner’s bare skin and their dog’s urine, and wear rubber gloves when cleaning up any areas the dog may have soiled. Any areas where the dog has urinated should be disinfected. The organism is readily killed by household disinfectants or a dilute bleach solution. Diagnosis can be tricky. In Oregon, the disease is occasionally seen but not common.

    Canine Influenza virus

  • Canine influenza virus (CIV) is a highly contagious dog-flu. Transmission is through direct contact with infected dogs, nasal, oral secretions, fomites, people in contact with infected dogs. Symptoms range from mild to severe illness: persistent coughing, sneezing, nasal or ocular discharge, lethargy, reduced appetite, and fever. Secondary bacterial infection can develop and may cause more severe illness and pneumonia. There is no human health risk. We do not regularly see this disease in our area, but we can have outbreaks from time to time. We recommend this vaccine if your pet travels outside of Oregon into an endemic area or if there is an outbreak. We do not carry this vaccine so if you have interest in it, please let our team know ahead of time so we can get them for you.

  • Borrelia burgdorferi (lymes disease) is transmitted by ticks. Although we are seeing increasing numbers of ticks each year, we are not seeing the same increase in this disease yet. We do not recommend this vaccine at this time.

-Your options for Vaccination Protocols-

Follow AAHA Guidelines:

  • Cats and Dogs receive a series of kitten and puppy vaccines every 3-4 weeks until they are over 16 weeks of age.  They return in 1 year for vaccines and then return every 12 months – 3 years depending on the vaccine. 

Use titers to indicate level of vaccine and the need to revaccinate:

  • Titers are a measurement of an animal’s level of specific antibodies it has to fight against a specific disease. There is controversy as to how accurate titers are at determining your pet’s level of protection, however there is still a standard set for some of these above diseases. Some people prefer to check yearly titers rather than vaccinate every year or 3 years. 

  • Although there is a titer for Rabies, the vaccination is required by law. If your pet is sick or has a chronic disease, we may be able to wave the vaccine and run a titer for Rabies instead.

  • Titers are available for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus in Dogs

  • Titers are available for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Panleukopenia in Cats

Vaccinate less frequently or not at all.

  • While it may sound enticing to not vaccinate at all, we do not recommend this for the health of your pet. Please bring your concerns to the veterinarian so that we can tailor a protocol to address your concerns.