Pet Vaccinations, Why Are They So Important?
With numerous serious and often fatal diseases your pet may be exposed to,
vaccinations are extremely necessary for your pet’s continuing good health.
There are several disease-causing viruses and bacteria that live in soil which can
be easily tracked into your home on your shoes, exposing your pet to harm. All
pets, including indoor pets, must be vaccinated as per your veterinarian’s
recommendation.
Vaccines stimulate an animal’s immune system with modified virus and bacteria
that do not cause disease. Vaccines stimulate two parts of your pet’s immune
system which will react quickly to destroy the disease-causing agent. To insure
ongoing immunity, regular boosters are necessary to provide protection as the
vaccine declines over time.
Pets age much faster than humans do. Pets don’t talk and thanks to the “survival
of the fittest” instinct in our pets, a disease can be very advanced before any
outward signs are seen. Blood tests can assess the pet’s antibody levels but the
tests do not indicate the level of immunity being currently provided by an animal’s
immune system.
Most vaccinations are given on an annual basis. Some vaccines, like rabies,
have a one- or a three-year booster alternative. Most booster vaccines do not
currently have a three-year option. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on
the schedule for vaccinations. If you chose to have your veterinarian administer a
three-year vaccination, please do not forget to have boosters of the one-year
vaccines performed annually.
While the topic of yearly booster vaccinations is currently under investigation by
the veterinary community, the duration of vaccines is not known. Certain
vaccines, such as rabies, are regulated by state law. There can be several, but
luckily uncommon, side effects from vaccinations such as injection site swelling
and vomiting. The cost of treating a disease and the possibility of the loss of your
pet, far outweigh the side effect risk. If your pet has shown previous side effects
with the vaccine and/or boosters, discuss the alternatives with your veterinarian.
Kittens and puppies require a series of vaccinations during the first four months
of life usually starting from 6 to 16 weeks of age when the protection of
antibodies, received from the mother, are declining. It is important to follow the
vaccination schedule closely. Missing a booster by more than a few days, places
your pet at risk. Do not allow your kitten or puppy to have access to unvaccinated
animals or places where unvaccinated animals roam until your kitten or puppy
has received the complete series of vaccinations.
Vaccines available for cats include Rabies, Panleukopenia, Feline calicivirus,
Feline rhinotracheitis, Feline leukemia, Heartworm, Ringworm, Chlamydia, and
Feline infectious peritonitis.
Vaccines available for dogs include Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Heartworm,
Parainfluenza, Parvo virus, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Corona virus,
Bordetella and Giardia.
Vaccines available for horses include Tetnus, Encepholomyelitis, West Nile,
Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, Rabies, Botulism, Strangles, Equine viral arteritis
and Potomac Horse Fever.
If you have another species for a pet, your veterinarian will be able to discuss the
type of vaccination protection your pet may need.
Vaccinations are necessary to protect your pet and are a regular cost you
assume when you choose to bring a pet into your life. If you visit your
veterinarian’s office for annual vaccines, your veterinarian will perform a physical
exam of your pet when giving the vaccinations. This is a good time to check for
signs of illness you might have missed.
Vaccines may not fully guarantee that your pet is protected against a disease,
but vaccines have been proven to be the safest, simplest and most effective
means of preventing disease in pets.