Vaccinations
The widespread use of high quality vaccines has had a major impact in preventing killer diseases in our pets. Pets today are living longer and healthier lives thanks to the vaccination programmes in place in veterinary practices throughout the country. We no longer see epidemics of killer disease such as distemper and parvovirus which were once so serious a threat to our four legged friends.
Is it necessary to still vaccinate our pets?
Yes, pets still need to be vaccinated to protect them from killer diseases. Although diseases such as distemper in dogs are no longer common, these diseases still remain in the environment. Unvaccinated pets are able to contract these diseases which can prove fatal in the worst case and in the least case very expensive to cure. Some diseases can spread to people too, so vaccinating your pet can protect your family.
Do vaccinations really work and are there any risks?
Just as with humans almost all animals are protected from disease by vaccination. Occasionally an animal may not develop complete immunity to a disease against which it was vaccinated, but if he or she did contract the disease it would be much less severe.
As with any treatment or drug there are some risks associated with vaccination but these are very small. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh any risks involved. If you are concerned about any such risks, please discuss these with your veterinary surgeon. The most common adverse reactions are a slight fever and/or lethargy. These normally subside within a few days of vaccination, but as with any illness you should contact your veterinary surgery if these persist for more than a few days
Why do puppies and kittens receive two vaccinations a few weeks apart?
Their mother's milk provides some immunity to serious diseases but this disappears quite quickly in young puppies and kittens. The first dose of the vaccine serves to'prime' their immune systems against the bacteria or virus causing disease and the second dose serves to stimulate their immune systems to produce antibodies to the specific diseases against which they were vaccinated. However, an incomplete course of vaccinations does lead to incomplete protection against killer diseases.
Is the initial course enough or should my pet receive vaccinations every year?
For some diseases ithe immunity provided by the vaccination wans after about a year. Leptospirosis is an example of this. For others immunity can last for several years.
Your cats and dogs and rabbits will need some form of booster vaccination yearly to keep them well protected. Your veterinary surgeon will tell you exactly which vaccinations will be given each year. These may change from year to year on a three year cycle.
Don't wait - Vaccinate!
