"The staff at this Clinic are Amazing!
So friendly, caring, and helpful when it came to my emergency with my baby."
- Andrea Carswell
DAMC Client
Oct 27, 2022
"The staff at this Clinic are Amazing!
So friendly, caring, and helpful when it came to my emergency with my baby."
- Andrea Carswell
DAMC Client
Oct 27, 2022
What Pet Owners Should Know About Vaccines
Vaccinations are one of the most important things that pet owners can do to ensure the health and well-being of their beloved furry friends. Vaccines are an essential part of preventive care, helping protect pets from dangerous and potentially deadly diseases. While vaccines may seem intimidating at first, understanding what vaccinations are, why they are necessary, and how to properly administer them is key for any responsible pet owner.
Pet Vaccine Appointment
Vaccines are an important part of keeping your pet healthy and happy. By vaccinating your dog or cat, you can reduce their risk for serious illnesses that can be expensive and difficult to treat. Vaccines typically needed for cats and dogs include rabies, distemper, adenovirus, leptospirosis and parainfluenza virus.
The cost of vaccinating your pet is often much lower than treating a preventable illness. Vaccines also help protect other pets in the community from potentially deadly diseases. Talk to your veterinarian about what vaccines may be right for your dog or cat today!
Why Are Vaccinations Necessary?
Vaccines help protect pets from a variety of dangerous illnesses, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and more. By inoculating your pet against these illnesses, you reduce their risk of becoming sick or even dying from the disease. Vaccines can also help reduce the spread of infectious diseases in your community by preventing your pet from getting sick and passing on the illness to other animals or humans.
Pet vaccination is important for protecting public health as well. For example, rabies is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans if they aren’t vaccinated. By vaccinating your pet against rabies and other diseases you not only protect them but also the people around them.
How Are Vaccines Administered?
Vaccinations are typically administered by veterinarians or veterinary technicians in a clinical setting. During a vaccination appointment with your veterinarian, they will discuss which type of vaccine is best for your pet based on their age and lifestyle habits as well as possible side effects associated with each type of vaccine. Once the vaccine has been administered according to directions provided by your vet clinic staff, it is important to keep an eye out for any adverse reactions or side effects that may occur after vaccination.
How Often Should Animals Be Vaccinated?
The frequency at which a pet should receive their vaccinations depends on their age and lifestyle; however, it is generally recommended that puppies/kittens receive their first set of shots at six weeks old with boosters every two to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks old. After that, adult pets should receive booster shots every one to three years depending on the type of vaccine used.
Is feline hepatitis the same as canine hepatitis?
No, feline hepatitis and canine hepatitis are not the same. Both viruses cause similar symptoms, including fever, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), but they are caused by different viruses which require different treatments.
Yes, there is a vaccine for feline hepatitis. Vaccination can help protect cats from infection with the feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) and other forms of the disease. It is important to consult with a veterinarian before administering any vaccinations to your pet.
Vaccinating your pet is one of the most important steps you can take as a responsible pet owner to ensure their safety and good health throughout their life. By understanding what vaccinations are available for dogs and cats as well as how they should be administered properly by qualified professionals at a vet clinic setting helps ensure that pets receive optimal protection against preventable diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, Lyme disease and more so that they can lead long healthy lives with their families by their side.
Most Common Canine Vaccines
The most common vaccines for dogs are:
- Rabies: A viral disease that affects the nervous system and is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Rabies vaccination is required by law in most states.
- Distemper: A viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
- Parvovirus: A highly contagious viral disease that affects the gastrointestinal system.
- Canine Adenovirus 2 (CAV-2): It causes infectious hepatitis, which is a severe infection of the liver.
- Leptospirosis: a bacterial disease that can affect the kidneys and liver.
- Canine Parainfluenza: a contagious respiratory disease that causes symptoms similar to kennel cough.
- Canine Coronavirus: a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea in dogs.
It is important to note that the specific vaccines that are recommended for a particular dog will depend on a variety of factors, including the dog's age, overall health, lifestyle, and potential exposure to certain diseases. It is best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccinations for your dog.
Depending on where you live and other factors such as your pet's age and lifestyle habits, your veterinarian may recommend additional vaccines for optimal protection.
Most Common Feline Vaccines
The most common vaccines for cats are:
- Rabies: A viral disease that affects the nervous system and is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Rabies vaccination is required by law in most states.
- Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper): A highly contagious viral disease that affects the gastrointestinal system and can be fatal.
- Feline Calicivirus: A highly contagious virus that causes upper respiratory infections.
- Feline Herpesvirus Type I (Feline Rhino tracheitis): A highly contagious virus that causes upper respiratory infections.
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV): A viral disease that can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
It is important to note that the specific vaccines that are recommended for a particular cat will depend on a variety of factors, including the cat's age, overall health, lifestyle, and potential exposure to certain diseases. It is best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccinations for your cat.
A Lesson Learned...
Once upon a time, there was a family named the Jordans. They had a Sheltie named Giorgio, who was a beloved member of the family. Giorgio was a happy and active dog, who loved to go on walks and play with his family. However, when it came time for Giorgio to get his vaccinations, the Jordans were faced with a difficult decision. The cost of vaccination was too expensive for them, and they couldn't afford it.
The Jordans had heard stories of dogs getting sick and even dying from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccinations. But they also knew that vaccinations can be expensive and they had to budget their money carefully. After much discussion, they decided not to vaccinate Giorgio.
At first, everything seemed fine. Giorgio was healthy and happy and the Jordans felt relieved that they didn't have to spend the money on vaccinations. However, one day Giorgio came back from a walk in the park, limping and sick. The Jordans took him to the vet, and after some tests, the vet diagnose Giorgio with leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that is transmissible to humans as well.
The Jordans were heartbroken, they knew that Giorgio's disease could have been prevented with a vaccination. They spent a lot of money on Giorgio's treatment and had to take time off work to take care of him. Giorgio eventually made a full recovery, but the Jordans learned a valuable lesson about the importance of vaccinations. They realized that the cost of not vaccinating Giorgio was far greater than the cost of vaccinations. From then on, they made sure that Giorgio and all their future pets were fully vaccinated. They also made sure to educate their friends and family about the importance of vaccinations and the potential risks of not vaccinating their pets.