WHY DO INDOOR ONLY PETS NEED VACCINES?

Why do my indoor only pets need vaccines?

This is a common question - here are the reasons to keep them up to date-

Dogs are never fully indoor only.  Even if they only go outside to go to the bathroom, they are exposed to outdoor concerns.  Indoor only cats are also exposed to outdoor concerns via their human or canine roommates.

Rabies - every animal (dog, cat, and ferret) is required by law to be up to date on rabies.  If they are not legally up to date and are exposed to a wild animal or bite a person, then it would be required to either quarantine the animal for 6 months, or euthanize to allow for testing.  People can contract rabies, which is a fatal disease.  Exposure can come from saliva or bite wounds from infected animals or even a bat in the house.

Feline distemper/panleukopenia/parvo - The panleukopenia virus is highly contagious.  The virus is spread in urine, stool or nasal discharge from cats.  This virus can live in the environment or on fomites (shoes, clothing, bedding) for up to 1 year.  We can pick up the virus on our shoes or clothes and bring it into the house.  This virus can cause a variety of symptoms - vomiting, diarrhea, bone marrow suppression/anemia, pancreatitis, & others.  

Canine distemper and parvo viruses - Both viruses are highly contagious.  They cause a variety of signs - vomiting, diarrhea, severe infection, pneumonia, and even death.  These viruses can be spread from sick dogs, but we can bring the viruses in on our shoes or clothing.  

Intestinal parasites-  Intestinal parasites are ubiquitous in the soil outside.  Parasites spread quickly through stool contact and parasite eggs can live in the soil for up to a year.   Parasites can cause diarrhea, vomiting or even bleeding in the intestinal tract.  

Fleas - Fleas are sneaky.  They are tiny parasites that can live on all animals.  All animals include - squirrels, rabbits, deer, mice, etc.  So these pesky parasites can live on wildlife even if there is snow on the ground.  Fleas can enter the house on our shoes or pants if we are out in an area where wildlife has been or they can even hop in through the screen of an open window.  Once they find a way into the house, they feed off animals blood and lay hundreds of eggs a day.  An infestation takes only days to occur.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office at 319-277-1883.