To Nathan Viles:
 
In the past, I have always vaccinated my animals for distemper and rabies
at the same time.  I've also vaccinated them when spayed/neutered.
 
IMO, this may not be the best thing to do, and I have changed my
practices.  Since any type of stress can cause an immunosuppression
response, I feel it's a little safer NOT to vaccinate around the time
of any surgical procedure.
 
How about vaccinating them when they go back for suture removal?  They
should have recovered from surgery by that time, and stress from the
procedure would have been over with by that time - females need to go
back for suture removal anyway, so can you wait and have the vaccinations
at that time?
 
Although most vets see nothing wrong with vaccinating for distemper and
rabies at the same time, recent opinion favors at least a 2-week span
between vaccines.
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA
Rochester, NY
[Posted in FML issue 1336]