Vaccinations are one of the most effective forms of preventative medicine available to protect your pet from the many dangerous viral and bacterial diseases that could threaten their long-term health and wellbeing. In fact, experts agree that the widespread use of vaccinations within the last century has prevented death and disease in millions of animals. Since your pet can’t conform to the normal hygiene habits that humans have that help to protect us from disease – such as rigorous handwashing, covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze, etc – vaccination is especially important, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our pet receives all of the preventative care that they need, including vaccinations at the recommended intervals.
How do vaccinations work?
Vaccinations work by introducing a little of the disease that they are designed to protect against your pet’s body. However, the disease has been modified so that it can’t make your animal sick. Instead, it teaches your pet’s body the key characteristics of the disease which will automatically produce antibodies to fight. The vaccine will enable your pet’s immune system to remember this response and continue to protect your pet until the vaccine wears off. Before it does, your vet will invite you to bring your pet in for another dose, ensuring full protection from the disease at all times.
What diseases will vaccines protect my pet from?
Precisely what diseases your pet’s vaccination will protect them against will depend on which type of animal they are. Vaccinations are divided into core and non-core groups. Core are those which are given to all animals of the species, irrespective of their age, location, or health. Meanwhile, non-core are given to animals on the recommendation of their vet and this is based on their individual circumstances.
Core vaccinations for dogs include those which protect them from: parvovirus, canine parainfluenza, canine distemper, rabies, and infectious hepatitis.
Core vaccinations for cats include those which protect them from feline calicivirus, feline rhinotracheitis, feline panleukopenia, and rabies.
Please speak to your vet to find out precisely which vaccines your pet needs. Unsurprisingly, by ensuring your pet is adequately protected against these diseases, you can prevent them from unnecessary pain and suffering, unpleasant and expensive veterinary treatment, and, in some cases, even save their life.
Vaccinating your pet is a legal requirement
It is important to be aware that vaccinating your pet against certain diseases is a legal requirement in some states. For example, an up-to-date rabies vaccination is required for dogs and cats in many U.S. states. Failure to ensure that pets are vaccinated in compliance with the law can result in fines, imprisonment, and even the destruction of the un-vaccinated animal.
When should I start vaccinating my pet?
Your pet becomes vulnerable to diseases as soon as they are born. For this reason, it is important to start any vaccination program while your animal is still young. Nevertheless, they can’t receive the full dose of each vaccine right away as their body isn’t strong enough to cope with it. Instead, their immunity is built gradually using a series of vaccinations administered over a number of months. This usually starts around 8 weeks of age, and your vet will give you a strict schedule to adhere to. Following this, your pet will need to have booster vaccines on another schedule. Some are needed once per year, others less frequently. It is important to note that baby animals should be kept indoors until they have received their initial series of vaccinations, after which time your vet should give them the go-ahead to be able to venture out and mix with other animals.
For more advice on the importance of vaccinating your pet, or to schedule an appointment, please get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary team.
