Vakderm for cats instructions for use of the vaccine, reviews

Ringworm in dogs is a dangerous skin disease. It quickly spreads throughout the body, is difficult and takes a long time to treat, is quickly transmitted to other animals and people, and fungal spores persist indoors and on clothing from several months to a couple of years. Therefore, the chance of re-infestation is high.

For the treatment and prevention of lichen, the Vakderm vaccine was developed. Manufacturers claim that just 2-3 injections will relieve the dog of the disease and form a strong immunity to fungal infections.

In this review, we’ll look at: does Vakderm for dogs help get rid of lichen and prevent infection with it, how it is used, what possible side effects, and whether there are better analogues . At the end of the article you will find answers to your questions, reviews from the owners and find out my opinion about vaccinations against fungal pathologies.

Release form and composition

The Vakderm vaccine is produced by Moscow in two forms:

• dry – porous suspension of light brown color;
• liquid - a homogeneous solution of yellowish tints.

Regardless of the type, each 1 ml ampoule contains 30-50 million/cm3 of fungal elements. It is made from 3 cultures of dermatophytes:

• Microsporum canis;
• Microsporum gypseum;
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

A bottle (one immunizing dose) costs from 100 to 120 rubles. Add a surcharge for veterinary services: the exact price varies by region.

How it works

Vakderm develops immunity against dermatophytoses for 12 months. To do this, the vaccine is administered twice with an interval of 10-14 days.

Vaccination during the incubation period (when infection has already occurred, but there are no clinical signs yet) accelerates the course of the disease: mycotic foci appear on the animal’s body. In this case, vaccinations are given 3-4 times with a break of 1.5-2 weeks.

Sick pets begin to recover 15-20 days after double vaccination. Their itching goes away, wounds heal, scabs fall off and new hair grows on the affected areas.

Treatment

Of course, you will be immediately offered treatment and advised on various ointments, shampoos or bath products

. The first thing to do is isolate your cat. If you have a long-haired breed, it would be advisable to cut your pet's hair. It would also be a good idea to trim the claws. Also try to treat the room where the cat is with disinfectants. For this, the best option would be to use chlorhexidine.

The best treatment is to use the Vakderm vaccine.

Vakderm

Your veterinary clinic should offer you the Vacderm vaccine. It is used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of dermatophyses
. Sometimes impatient owners may panic that no therapeutic effect is observed. However, this is not at all true. The vaccine is administered twice, and the effect occurs two to three weeks, immediately after the second vaccination. After this amount of time you will be able to see the result. The scabs will begin to flake off and fall off, and new hair and fur will grow.

You must be provided with instructions for using Vakderm.

If you use the vaccine for prophylaxis, you should take into account that immunity will not develop immediately

. First, the first vaccine is administered to a healthy animal intramuscularly in the thigh area, and after two weeks it is repeated in the second thigh. After about twenty-five days or a month, intense immunity is developed, which will last for a year.

The vaccine itself is a fraction of weakened dermatophyte spores. Once in the body, the immune system will begin to produce antibodies to the incoming antigen, and they will protect the body from the pathogen for another year, preventing it from manifesting itself. Ultimately, he will abort, and your cat will be healthy and feel almost nothing.

Contraindications and adverse reactions

Naturally, the vaccine also has contraindications for use.

, such as:

1. second half of pregnancy;
2. elevated cat body temperature;
3. acute poisoning;
4. presence of an infectious disease.

Adverse reactions are possible in the form of the development of a lump at the site of vaccine administration, but it will resolve after three to five days. Fatigue may also occur quickly, so do not give the animal heavy loads and carefully monitor your cat.

Release form and price

This vaccine is suitable for cats, dogs, rabbits and other fur-bearing animals.

It is produced in two forms:

• vaccine solution
• vaccine powder

The latter is diluted in a sterile solvent. The cost of a dose is approximately one hundred and ten Russian rubles. Different veterinary clinics set their own prices for the drug.

Instructions for use and dosage

Vakderm is placed from 2 months of age. The injections are given twice, with a break of 10-14 days. The first injection is administered into the left or right thigh, the second into the opposite limb. Before use, the area is treated with alcohol, and the serum is warmed in the hand to room temperature.

Dosages depend on weight:

• for dogs up to 5 kg – 0.5 ml;
• for dogs weighing more than 5 kg – 1 ml.

Before administration, check the serum: it is important that the ampoule is not damaged, and that the solution is free of sediment and not cloudy. Store the drug in the refrigerator. After opening the bottle, use the medication within half an hour.

Features of vaccination

Vakderm

- This is a preventive vaccination, therefore, before use, you should comply with all the usual requirements for preparation for vaccination - deworming 7-10 days before. Before manipulation, you should consult a veterinarian. He will examine the dog for diseases, including latent ones.

The injections are given twice. The interval between them must be strictly observed, as this affects the effectiveness of the vaccination.

The injection is given intramuscularly, in the thigh. The second injection should be given in the other thigh, always with a sterile syringe. Before use, the powder is diluted with 1 ml of saline or water for injection, the temperature of which is not higher or lower than body temperature. The vaccine can be used only after complete dissolution.

Contraindications and side effects

The use of the Vakderm vaccine is safe and does not cause serious negative effects. But, like any serum, it cannot be administered to animals:

• with elevated temperature;
• suffering from infectious diseases;
• those recovering, after surgery or with serious pathologies;
• taking medications that suppress the immune system.

Complications are also possible:

• painful swelling or abscess at the injection site: usually occurs when cold serum is injected or unsterile needles are used;
• allergies.

Pets that have side effects are freed from exercise for 3-5 days. In case of an allergic reaction, symptomatic treatment is necessary. If a seal forms, cold or alcohol lotions are applied, and the abscess is lubricated with a 5% iodine solution.

How the vaccine works

The number of mushrooms in 1 cm3 of solution can reach 80 million; this concentration is harmless to the cat’s body, but it causes the development of immunity to dermatophytes. Resistance to these fungi appears approximately a month after vaccination and persists for a year.

Vakderm-F is a vaccine for immunizing cats against dermatophytosis, which was developed and produced in Russia. The vaccine needs to be used 2 or 3 times, depending on the body’s reaction to the vaccine. It can be used to immunize cats and kittens; contraindications are intolerance to the drug and the weakened condition of the animal.

Cats and other domestic animals are vaccinated for both prevention and therapy. A special feature of such a scourge as ringworm in cats is its long latent period. After you vaccinate your pet, foci of inflammation will begin to appear on the cat’s epithelium, and this contributes to the production of immunoglobulin. The antibodies obtained as a result of vaccination are able to independently resist varieties of mycosis in cats.

We can talk about a complete cure two weeks (less often a month) after the re-vaccination. The formation of immune protection in cats takes about a month after vaccination. The vaccination is valid for one calendar year. Vakderm-F is intended for babies who are four weeks old in order to prevent the possibility of contracting dermatitis.

The product is endowed with powerful healing properties and can prevent and cure dermatophytosis. This is the name given to a fungal disease of the skin in cats and dogs, the causative agent of which is Microsporum canis. Transmission occurs from already sick animals or rodents. This type of bacteria also gets into the soil structure if a sick animal has been on it for a long time.

Veterinarians also prescribe the medicine to treat or protect against diseases such as trichophytosis (commonly known as ringworm) and microsporia.

The drug contains cells of several types of dermatophytes. Fungi are grown on a special nutrient medium. Formalin is also present in the composition - it plays the role of an inactivator or stabilizer.

After double administration of the medicine with a two-week interval, the cat’s body develops a strong immunity against the fungus. It lasts for twelve months, so vaccination is carried out annually for prevention.

Vakderm also has healing properties, so it can prevent the development of dermatophytosis. At the same time, the drug is considered harmless, since it cannot cause the development of infection in an absolutely healthy cat. The need for vaccination is determined by a veterinarian, and he carries it out in compliance with all the rules.

Vakderm F can be used in the treatment of trichophytosis and microsporia identified in cats. But experts recommend using it only in the first stages of the disease. Otherwise, using the medicine will lead to a deterioration in the pet’s health.

If the drug is used for preventive purposes, it is necessary to follow the recommended regimen of use and carry out the procedure regularly. If you do not follow this rule, the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases and immunity weakens. If for some reason it was not possible to get vaccinated, you should go to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

When the medicine is administered in the early stages of the disease, the symptoms become more acute: foci of infection become larger and appear in other places. Despite this, after ten to fourteen days you need to give another injection, since immunity appears only after a double injection. After three to four weeks, the crusts fall off, and the coat gradually recovers.

Contraindications

• for kittens less than a month old;
• at high temperature;
• in the second half of pregnancy;
• for infectious diseases.

Also, the drug should not be given to weakened animals and cats suffering from chronic pathologies. In such situations, the underlying disease is first treated and then vaccinated.

Sometimes cats become sensitive to the medication. This is signaled by such signs as drowsiness, apathy, and lack of appetite. Lethargy is also possible if the dosage is exceeded. In such cases, no special measures are required, since all symptoms disappear on their own. But if your pet’s health has not changed after two days, you need to go to the veterinarian.

Sometimes lumps appear at the injection site. They should be treated with iodine once. If the formation does not go away, urgent consultation with a specialist is needed, otherwise inflammation and even tissue death may occur.

Analogues of the drug

Vakderm has 3 analogue vaccines: they are similar in action, method of application and price. The drugs differ in composition and frequency of side effects.

special instructions

The use of the drug requires strict adherence to the rules of use and storage. In addition, we should not forget about the rules of personal safety:

1. for injections, use disposable syringes, separate for each animal;
2. Treat the injection site with an alcohol solution;
3. use personal protective equipment: gown, medical mask, rubber gloves;
4. If the solution gets on your skin, quickly wash off the residue with water;
5. After the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly with running water and soap.

The shelf life of the Vakderm vaccine is one year from the date of manufacture.

The product is stored in a cool place out of the reach of children. The solution should not be used after the expiration date, or if there is sedimentation in the form of flakes or mold, or a change in color or consistency. It is unacceptable to administer the product if the necessary labeling is missing or the packaging is not sealed.

Owner reviews

Olga: “After the second Vakderm vaccination, the dachshund lost his back leg. When introduced, the dog screamed and cried. Afterwards she limped all day, and the next day she became lethargic, only getting up to eat and go to the toilet. It does not rest on its paw, it hangs on its weight. But what’s most worrying is the huge lump that came out at the injection site.”

Yaroslava: “We learned about this vaccine when Margo (a cross between a mongrel and a Rottweiler) developed bald spots. The doctor said it was dermatophytosis and prescribed Vakderm. 2 weeks after the first injection the itching went away, and after the second the bald areas began to heal. Since then we have been using serum every year. Our beauty tolerates injections easily, but a huge lump always forms on her thigh: we don’t treat it with anything, and after a month it resolves on its own.”

Taya: “Our puppy Dzhulka got sick at the same time as the cats. We went to the clinic: all three of them were given Vakderm. The cats tolerated the injections well, but Dzhula immediately became ill. From the next day she stopped eating and playing. The doctor did not answer anything intelligibly, attributed it to worms, and did not prescribe treatment. And 5 days later the dog died.”

Dmitry: “My Gordey managed to catch dermatophytosis. After recovery, the doctor advised to vaccinate with Vakderm annually. The first time the serum was administered by a veterinarian, and then I got the hang of it myself. The vaccine worked for us: there were no side effects, and the dog never got shingles again.”

conclusions

I do not recommend using Vakderm and other vaccinations against lichen: neither for treatment nor for prevention.

Vaccinations are useless for treatment: lichen appears when the immune system is weakened, and “dropping” it even more with a vaccine is stupid. When infected, classical therapy is better: external and internal antifungal drugs. Repeated treatment of the room and things is also required: disinfection with vinegar, chlorhexidine, iodine, washing textiles at maximum temperatures and ironing.

Prevention with Vakderm is also questionable. If the dog has good immunity, it will not become infected. In addition, even vaccinated pets often developed dermatophytosis.

Add to this that the drug is painful; after administration, almost all dogs become lethargic for several days and abscesses often appear. The latter do not always go away on their own; they often have to be operated on. And vaccinated pets become carriers of fungal spores for a long period: they can infect people with weakened immune systems, children and the elderly.

The only time when the use of serums against lichen is justified: vaccination of show dogs. Owners of unvaccinated animals are required to provide a certificate of examination for microsporia before each canine event. This is troublesome and expensive: in this case, it is easier to administer Vakderm or a similar drug once a year.

Content

1. General description 2. Composition and action 3. Purpose 4. Application 5. Features of vaccination 6. Limitations and side effects 7. Prices and analogues 8. Video: 9. Reviews

Ringworm is a disease in dogs, which is dangerous because people can also become infected with it. Among the most popular and effective medicines against fungal diseases is Vakderm for dogs. The drug has long been successfully used for the prevention and treatment of ringworm in animals if the disease is in the incubation period and has not yet manifested itself.