Vaccinations are important for your pets because they protect them from viruses and diseases that could be life threatening. There are both necessary and optional vaccinations for pets. However, if you work closely with your animal hospital your veterinarian will provide you with a list of necessary vaccinations and ensure that your pet receives his or her vaccinations on time.
When to Start Vaccinating Your Pet
It’s recommended to begin vaccinating your pet as a puppy or kitten. The earlier you can start your pet on the vaccination schedule, the easier it will be for your pet to build antibodies against certain viruses. If you find a lost dog or cat and decide to keep it, you should start vaccinations as soon as possible. A dog or cat does not need to be a puppy or kitten for vaccinations to be effective. For a pet with no known history of veterinary care, your vet will just start the vaccinations from the beginning.
Common Vaccinations for Dogs
Your animal hospital will give your dog a number of different vaccinations over the course of its life. Rabies is a vaccination that your dog receives regularly, and your veterinarian will give you a rabies tag certifying that your dog has been vaccinated. This is a required vaccination because rabies is easily spread from animal to animal and from animals to people. Puppies will receive one shot and then go back for a booster every year or every three years.
Other dog vaccinations include distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, influenza, and bordetella. Viruses like parvo and distemper can cause serious illness or death in a dog, so these vaccinations are often required by your veterinarian. Others like influenza or adenovirus are elective, although your vet may recommend these vaccines.
Vaccinations for Felines
Cats receive some of the same vaccinations as dogs, with a few changes. Rabies is fatal for cats, so a rabies shot is necessary. Distemper, herpesvirus, and calicivirus, are all viruses that can lead to serious illness or death in your cat. Vaccines for feline leukemia and to prevent a virus called bordetella are both elective. If you board your pet frequently at the animal hospital, you will be required to have an up to date bordetella shot, also known as the kennel cough shot, to prevent the transmission of this virus during boarding. Since your pet is a companion for many years of your life, it only makes sense to provide them with the best healthcare available, including protection against viruses and bacteria.
If you’d like to schedule vaccinations with a reputable animal hospital, visit Website on Facebook for more information.
