Vaccine Requirements
UP-TO-DATE?
Please note that these requirements may differ from the recommended vaccination schedule from your veterinarian. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us!
RABIES
Due to regulations set forth by the Department of Health, our facility requires that each pet owner provide proof of vaccination for rabies. This vaccination must be up to date based on the duration stated on the vaccine label (eg. Imrab3 and Miral 3 is = 3 yr vaccine). Most rabies vaccines administered by veterinary clinics are 3 year vaccines unless stated on the label. This vaccine is required by law.
The Brass Tacks
We typically require at least 2 weeks to pass between your pet's vaccinations and their stay with us at the. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule. If you're in a bind, feel free to reach out to us and we'll see what we can do.
The reason for this is that after getting vaccinated, your pet's immune system can be weakened, making them susceptible to communicable diseases. Also, some vaccines can be shed from your dog for up to 2 weeks after the shot, and this could put other guests at risk if they're sensitive to the vaccine.
If your pet isn't up to date on their vaccinations, or if there is limited time between vaccines and their stay, give us a call and we'll chat about it. You may be required to sign a Vaccine Waiver acknowledging the risks. Not vaccinating your pet doesn't mean they're not welcome at Tucked Inn!
What Are Core Vaccines?
DHPP/DAPP/Rabies
Our insurance policy requires proof that your dog has received at least ONE DHPP/DAPP (distemper, hepatitis or Adenovirus-2, parvovirus, parainfluenza) vaccination during the lifetime of the pet. We do not require that your pet is re-vaccinated annually. This is not required by law. Rabies vaccines must be up to date based on the duration stated on the vaccine label (eg. Imrab3 and Miral 3 is = 3 yr vaccine)
CIRDC
Canine Infections Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) more familiarly known as “Kennel Cough."
We do NOT require the Bordetella vaccine for your dog to stay with us. This is not considered a "core' vaccine.
Read below for more information on the often misunderstood "Kennel Cough."
Lepto/Lyme
Vaccines for Leptospirosis and Lyme disease are not required by us for your pet to stay. This is not considered a "core" vaccine.
What is "Kennel Cough?"
It is common to use the term “kennel cough”, “infectious tracheobronchitis” and variations on “canine infectious respiratory disease complex” interchangeably. However, this is an overly simplistic view of a complicated syndrome. Disease is not limited to the trachea, nor does it always manifest as coughing. Clinical signs of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) may include sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, and sometimes lower respiratory and/or systemic disease. Multiple bacterial and viral pathogens, acting both sequentially and synergistically, are associated with CIRDC. Canine infectious respiratory disease complex, almost by definition, is not a vaccine-preventable condition.
(source: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Infectious Diseases, July 2015)
Some Final Words on CIRDC
World-renowned vaccination scientist, Dr. Ronald Schultz, says [emphasis is mine]: “Many animals receive “kennel cough” vaccines that include Bordetella and CPI and/or CAV-2 every 6 to 9 months without evidence that this frequency of vaccination is necessary or beneficial. In contrast, other dogs are never vaccinated for kennel cough and disease is not seen. CPI immunity lasts at least 3 years when given intranasally, and CAV -2 immunity lasts a minimum of 7 years parenterally for CAV-I. These two viruses in combination with Bordetella bronchiseptica are the agents most often associated with kennel cough, however, other factors play an important role in disease (e.g. stress, dust, humidity, molds, mycoplasma, etc.), thus kennel cough is not a vaccine preventable disease because of the complex factors associated with this disease. Furthermore, this is often a mild to moderate self limiting disease. I refer to it as the ‘Canine Cold.’”
Monahan Jordan, P. (2012 July 21) Bordetella: Does Your Dog Need the Kennel Cough Vaccine? Retrieved from http://www.truth4pets.org
At Tucked Inn, we happily accept puppies of all ages, but there is a requirement that they have received the first round of DHPP (core) vaccines. Puppies under 6 months old are exempt from the Rabies vaccine requirement. For puppies or newly acquired dogs (within 1 month), we may ask for a negative fecal test report from a veterinarian.
If your puppy is younger than 14 weeks old or hasn't been vaccinated for distemper and parvovirus after 12 weeks of age, please get in touch with us.
What about puppies who are too young to get all the vaccines?
Non-Vaccinated Pets?
We understand that sometimes, vaccinating your pet may not be possible due to a reaction or underlying health issues. If your pet falls into this category, please rest assured that we can still provide boarding arrangements for them.
However, to ensure the health and safety of all our guests, we may request a health clearance from your veterinarian, explaining why your pet cannot receive vaccinations and confirming that they are free from communicable illnesses. This should be provided within a week prior to your pet's stay with us at our facility.
Please also refer to the section below on titer testing.
Are there any alternatives to vaccinations?
If your pet is unable to receive vaccinations, and you have concerns about communicable diseases, we suggest that you talk to your veterinarian about blood titers. This test involves taking a blood sample to determine your pet's immunity levels against certain diseases. It is a suitable option for those who are concerned about past reactions to vaccines or over-vaccination.
Please keep in mind that blood titers, although growing in popularity, are still not a widely accepted practice, and not all veterinarians offer them. Additionally, they require some time to perform and get results (sometimes weeks). If you choose to go this route, we will accept the results of your pet's titer panel as a substitute for their vaccination records.
