Pageloader
image

07 Nov

Why is it Crucial to Vaccinate Your Pet?

Vaccines are as important for our pets as they are for us. They offer simple, effective, safe, and cost-efficient protection against diseases. They use an organism’s natural immune system to build a certain level of immunity against diseases, as well as help the immune system to remember diseases, so it can prevent any re-infections in the future.

What are Vaccines?

Vaccines are a simple, efficient, effective, and cost-efficient way to protect yourself against infections, and depending upon the type of vaccine, their protection can last for years, sometimes even over a decade. A vaccine is important because instead of acting like a cure, it behaves as prevention against diseases. Your pet needs and deserves the same level of protection against diseases as you, which is why vaccinating them is so important. 

Basic Vaccinations for Dogs

Basic/core vaccines are essential, as they prevent severe diseases, and reduce the risk of exposure and the risk of spread of disease from dogs to dogs/humans. They are also mandatory if you ever wish to move to a foreign country, as most countries require pets to have their basic vaccinations completed before import. These are as follows:
• Canine Parvovirus 

  • Canine Distemper 
  • Hepatitis (CAV)
  • Rabies 
  • Leptospirosis 

Non-Core Vaccines for Your Dog

  • Bordetella
  • Canine Influenza (Dog flu)
  • Lyme vaccine 

Basic Vaccinations for Cats

As is the case with dogs, basic/core vaccines for your cat are essential and crucial in making sure they grow up healthy and disease-free. While you should always discuss the mandatory vaccinations for your cat with your vet, the following are commonly recommended as basic vaccinations for your cat. 

  • Rhinotracheitis
  • Panleukopenia
  • Calicivirus
  • Rabies
  • Feline Leukemia
Why it is Important to Vaccinate Your Pet

The simple answer to why your pet should be vaccinated, is that vaccination provides them with protection against contagious and potentially fatal diseases. While it is sad to think about, the reality is that a vast majority of diseases your pet can catch if they are not vaccinated are fatal. Even if they recover with a stroke of luck, the repercussions of an infection can be life-long, impeding their ability to live normally and burdening you with costly healthcare bills. 

  • Vaccinations are necessary for the following reasons: 
  • Protect pets from life-threatening diseases and infections. 
  • Provide pets protection against future infections 
  • Prevents pets from being infected by contagious diseases and passing them on to other                      animals/humans. 
  • Provide pet parents with peace of mind for their pet’s health. 
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Vaccinations

When to Vaccinate Your Pet?

The first question most pet parents have is, when should you vaccinate your pet? Normally, pets are vaccinated when they are young, roughly once they are at least eight weeks of age. Since some pets might have to be vaccinated with their “first” dose later in life, this is a common question. This is also applicable for fully-grown pets whose vaccination history you’re unsure about, or for those pets who have missed subsequent booster doses of a vaccine after initially being administered. Consult your vet and plan a vaccination schedule that best suits your pet’s needs. 

Do Elderly Pets Need to be Vaccinated Too?

Elderly pets are just as likely to catch diseases as their younger counterparts. If anything, they are more at risk; the inevitable ageing process every living organism undergoes means strength and immunity naturally deteriorate over time. Therefore, it is important to maintain a regular vaccination schedule to prevent any illnesses in your senior pet. If your pet is in their advanced age, or if you’ve sheltered a senior pet and are unsure about their immunizations, get in touch with your vet so they can outline a course for them. 

What to do if you miss a booster dose

While it is always advised to bear in mind the date your pet is due for a booster, one can get caught up with daily life and forget such a detail. If you do happen to forget your pet’s booster dose for a vaccine, don’t fret. Consult your vet as soon as possible, and depending on your circumstance and situation, they can prescribe the best course of action. If it’s been a sizeable amount of time since their last shot, the vet will probably prescribe a fresh dose, restarting with the first shot. Again, this depends on your situation, so consult your vet whenever the opportunity arises.

Basic Vaccination Schedule for Dogs

While varying from one individual animal to the next, here’s the average schedule for dog vaccinations:

  • 6-7 weeks: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordetella.
  • 9-10 weeks: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordetella, Leptospirosis.
  • 12-13 weeks: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza*, Lyme Disease.
  • 15-17 weeks: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Rabies, Canine Influenza, Lyme Disease.
  • Canine influenza and Lyme Vaccinations are prescribed based on the lifestyle of the dog. 

Basic Vaccination Schedule for Cats

Cat vaccinations vary a little more than those of a dog. This is due to a few reasons; such as whether the cat has had any serious medical conditions from birth, or whether the cat in question resides exclusively indoors or roams outside as well. here is an estimated schedule for an indoor house cat:

  • 6-10 Weeks Old: FVRCP (feline distemper)
  • 11-14 Weeks Old: FVRCP (feline distemper), FeLV (feline leukemia)
  • 15+ Weeks Old: FVRCP (feline distemper), FeLV (feline leukemia), rabies vaccine

AUTHOR’S BIO

comment-1-11

Carry My Pet

Passionate pet enthusiasts and globetrotters, dedicated to easing furry friends' journeys worldwide. Penning tales of compassion at CarryMyPet, where every relocation is a tail-wagging adventure.

Get Quote Chat