One of the important topics that should concern every pet owner is vaccination. Vaccines can help prevent many diseases, and it is one of the simplest ways to ensure your beloved pet lives a healthy and long life. It’s important to know that different diseases require various types and combinations of vaccines. Vaccination is a medical procedure with its own advantages, disadvantages, and risks. These factors need to be carefully considered for each individual pet.
What is Vaccination?
Vaccination is a procedure that helps the animal’s immune system prepare to fight dangerous viruses and bacteria. Vaccines contain antigens with live attenuated strains of microorganisms. When introduced into the pet’s body, it gently stimulates the immune system to combat foreign microorganisms. This is necessary so that in the future, if the pet ever encounters the real disease, it can be protected from severe complications.
Vaccination is a crucial component of preserving your pet’s health. However, not every four-legged family member needs to be vaccinated against all diseases. There are several factors to consider, such as the pet’s medical history, age, travel, lifestyle, and habits.
What belongs to the core vaccines?
Core vaccines are essential vaccinations for all domestic animals. They are selected based on existing risks of exposure, disease severity, or contagion to humans.
For dogs, these are: vaccines against viral enteritis, canine distemper, leptospirosis, and, of course, rabies. For cats, these are: vaccines against panleukopenia (feline distemper), herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis), calicivirus, and rabies.
Remember that only your veterinarian can determine which vaccines are necessary and best suited for your specific pet.
Timing and frequency of vaccinations.
The organization of a vaccination schedule for your pet depends on its age, medical history, the type of vaccine used, and its lifestyle.
For dogs: the first vaccine should be administered at the age of 4 to 6 weeks. During this period, a combination of vaccines is given, including canine distemper and parvovirus enteritis. Revaccination is done after 14 – 21 days, including the same vaccines as before, with the addition of hepatitis and leptospirosis. At 3 months, the dog receives a vaccine against canine distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, leptospirosis, rabies, and parainfluenza. The fourth vaccination includes the same diseases as the previous one. Further vaccinations are given around the age of 6-8 months. Subsequently, the dog is vaccinated once a year throughout its life.
For cats: kittens receive antibodies from various diseases through their mother’s milk after birth, provided their mother has a healthy immune system. When a kitten is about 6-8 weeks old, your veterinarian may start vaccination with 3 or 4-week intervals until the little pet reaches 16 weeks of age. Adult cats can be revaccinated every year or once every 3 years. To determine the best vaccination schedule, timing, and vaccines themselves, it is essential to consult with a veterinary doctor.
Possible risks during vaccination.
The immunization of the organism should stimulate the immune system of your beloved pet to create protection against specific dangerous infectious diseases. This process may come with some unpleasant side effects, such as fever, allergic reactions, and soreness at the injection site. However, the likelihood of these adverse effects is not very high. In the vast majority of cases, the risk of complications is much lower than the risk of contracting the disease itself.
There are also other rare side effects that can occur. These include local swelling at the injection site and immune-related disorders. However, it is crucial to know that vaccination can save a vast number of lives and plays a crucial role in fighting infectious diseases. Nevertheless, remember that every pet is unique, and before vaccinating them, it is essential to discuss their medical history and lifestyle with a veterinary doctor.
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