Cuddly Critters Pet Immunization Awareness Month

Vital Steps to Keep Pets Healthy

If you want your pet to live a long and happy life, it’s important to have them receive the proper immunizations at the proper times. Pets with different lifestyles and who live in different areas may need immunization from different threats. Your vet can always help you decide what vaccines are best for your pet and which ones are required by law in your state or municipality.

Vaccinations are essential components of preventative medicine for pets, explains Dr. Kate Creevy, an associate professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Vaccinations can protect pets from serious disease or potential death and can also minimize the spread of disease among pets.” The simplest thing we can do for our pets to ensure they live healthy and happy lives is to have them vaccinated.

As with all mammals, a dog or cat’s immune system learns to recognize the pathogen in a vaccine. Then, when your pet is exposed to the disease in the future, their immune system is able to fight against it. All dogs and cats should get core vaccines. The first round of vaccinations for puppies and kittens should be given when the animals are six to eight weeks old. Final doses come at 16 weeks.

For dogs, core vaccinations include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. Rabies is a deadly disease of the nervous system, spread most often through the bite of an infected animal. Once symptoms appear, it is almost certainly fatal. Canine distemper is a viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Parvovirus is an easily transmittable GI disease. Hepatitis, as in humans, affects the liver, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Core vaccines for cats include rabies, calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, and panleukopenia virus. Calicivirus causes upper respiratory infections and oral disease. Feline herpesvirus brings respiratory infections and conjunctivitis. Feline panleukopenia (also called feline distemper) is highly contagious among cats, spreading through urine, stool, nasal secretions, or even fleas. It was once a leading cause of death in cats, but vaccines have made this disease much less prevalent.

Other vaccines, like those for Lyme disease, are administered only to animals at risk for the disease based on where they live and how much time they spend outdoors. Your vet will discuss your pet’s lifestyle to determine these risks.

Some people think if they have an indoor companion cat or dog, their pet never needs immunization. Actually, dogs and cats can “escape” their home without their owner knowing. (My little 14-year-old Maltese’s nickname is Houdini because he escapes my home so often!)

When animals go outside, they are met with many airborne contagions. Going to dog parks, walking in an open field, or just taking a jog around the block can all bring risk for pet disease.

Rescue pets are generally vaccinated as part of their rescue care (if they weren’t already). Be sure to ask the pet adoption agency for all the documentation and medical records for your new furry friend. Proof of vaccination is often needed when boarding your pet or taking your dog or cat to day care. Kennel cough is always prevalent, and many other

By Jeri Schaben

diseases are highly contagious in close quarters. Check with your kennel or day care about their requirements.

Some people have concerns about risks that come with immunizations. It’s important for pet owners to know that most research shows that modern vaccines are extremely effective and safe. My little dog has been getting his shots annually for 14 years, and he has yet to show any adverse reactions. Even though the percentage of adverse reactions is low, any pet could possibly have a negative reaction to an immunization. It’s essential to discuss any concerns you may have with your veterinarian.

The American Veterinary Medical Association is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1863. The AVMA urges pet owners and lovers to educate themselves on how to be a caring pet owner, including the importance of vaccination. Their website (avma.org) has lots of free information about taking care of pets.

Most states regulate the administration of vaccinations to domesticated animals, including dogs, cats, and ferrets. Most states allow only licensed veterinarians to administer vaccines, while others allow veterinary technicians and other trained individuals to inoculate animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers a convenient list of state requirements on their website.

Establish a positive relationship with your vet, and you can work together to find strategies that work for your pet’s health, including vaccinations. You and your vet can create a healthy lifestyle for your pet. We can all live long and prosper!

Sources for this article included: cityofmissionviejo.org, vetmed.tamu.edu, and avma.org.