Updated Pet Vaccination Guidelines: What It Means for Dogs and Cats

Certain vaccinations for dogs and cats are now considered essential (“core”) under the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) newly revised global guidelines. So what does this mean for your dog or cat?

The 2024 updates suggest that leptospirosis becomes a core vaccine for dogs in areas where the disease is endemic. For cats in areas with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), the FeLV vaccine is now recommended as core for young cats, adult cats with outdoor access, and adult cats who live with cats who have outdoor access. 

“While the guidelines released by WSAVA are not mandatory, they may be utilized by veterinary associations or veterinary practices to develop vaccination schedules for their patients,” says Dr. Rhiannon Koehler, a veterinarian in Overland Park, Kansas. “This means some pet parents may see a change in their veterinarian’s recommendations.”

Leptospirosis is a highly infectious bacterial disease that can cause serious illness in dogs and humans. Dogs typically get infected through contact with standing water or mud that has been contaminated with infected animal urine. Leptospirosis occurs worldwide but is more common in temperate and tropical climates. In the contiguous United States, Appalachia is considered the highest-risk region, while the upper Midwest and central Texas are considered to be at increased risk (1).

FeLV is a relatively common infectious disease in cats that suppresses the immune system, making cats more susceptible to secondary infections and cancer. It affects approximately 3 percent of cats in the United States and Canada (2).

The updated guidelines from WSAVA also recommend revaccinating puppies and kittens (with selected core vaccines) at 26 weeks or older (around 6 months old) rather than waiting until pets are 12 to 16 months of age.

“A lot of veterinarians in the U.S. are already treating leptospirosis and FeLV vaccines as core vaccines based on risk in their area,” Dr. Koehler says. “However, it is possible that we will start to see more veterinarians recommending boosters at 6 months of age rather than waiting until the pet is at least 1 year old after finishing the initial puppy or kitten series.”

In response to these updated guidelines, some boarding and daycare facilities may adjust their vaccine requirements, if they follow WSAVA guidelines to develop their protocols. Individual animal facilities set their own requirements, except for vaccines that are required by law, such as rabies. For instance, certain facilities may require proof of vaccination against canine influenza (dog flu).

When it comes to recommending “non-core” vaccines for dogs and cats, veterinarians take a variety of factors into consideration, such as your pet’s lifestyle and geographic location. 

“Non-essential vaccines like Lyme disease or canine influenza vaccines are recommended based on your pet’s individual risk,” Dr. Koehler says. “Speak with your veterinarian to determine if your pet would benefit from any non-core vaccines.”

References

1. Waranius B, Tillman C, Van Houten C, et al. Human Case of Leptospirosis During a Canine Disease Outbreak — Wyoming, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:602–606. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7327a1
2. Burling, Amie N et al. “Seroprevalences of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection in cats in the United States and Canada and risk factors for seropositivity.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association vol. 251,2 (2017): 187-194. doi:10.2460/javma.251.2.187