August is National Immunization Awareness Month for pets. It can’t be stated enough how important it is to vaccinate your pets. Vaccinations will improve your pet’s overall wellness and help them stay a part of your family longer than average. Over the last century millions of pets’ lives have been saved because of the development of pet vaccinations.
Yet still many pet owners do not get the proper shots for their pet. Whether you have a dog or cat, their immunization needs will vary and occasionally need to be updated based on type of animal, age, and overall health. Even indoor-only pets can develop deadly diseases without proper vaccinations.
Vaccinations are a must for most pets that are adopted. When I got my first cat, it was a stray and within a week I made an appointment to make sure Garfield had the proper vaccinations. After a few years living as an outdoor cat, the vet not only caught a few medical problems due to the vaccinations, but helped protect Garfield’s future health. Strays are especially vulnerable to disease and skipping the vaccinations will make the adoption of your new pet that much more difficult.
The most important vaccination for your pet is the rabies vaccine. Both cats and dogs should be vaccinated for rabies. Rabies is an instant killer among dogs, and vaccinating your pets against rabies will also reduce the health risks in humans. Typically there are a few different rabies vaccinations that you will need for your pet, Some are annual while others you need to get every three years.
Other vaccinations will depend on your pet’s type. We’ve covered the types of vaccinations that are most common to dogs, and cats are no exception. FVRCP, or Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, Panleukopenia is the most common vaccine for felines. The Feline Leukemia Virus shot is another important vaccine for cats.
To make sure your pet is protected make an appointment with us to ensure your cat or dog has its proper vaccinations. Our staff will take care of all the important vaccinations for your pet and develop a plan for the pet’s future vaccinations. Proper vaccines and keeping track of vaccination records will keep your pet happy and healthy and keep your family protected as well.
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