Healthy Pets, Healthy People: Vaccinate Your Fur-Babies!

Animals just like with infants, children and even adults, also need to be vaccinated for their own well being.  Vaccines are administered to protect animals from contracting diseases and to prevent them from possibly spreading diseases to other animals and humans.  For this blog I will be referring to typical domestic pets such as cats and dogs, but keep in mind that other animals do require vaccinations as well.

Pets need to be vaccinated regardless of where they spend most of their time (inside or outside).  Most people think animals can only contract germs and diseases if they are outside for long periods of time.  However, germs and diseases do not care how much time your animal spends outside on a daily basis, their (the germs and diseases) main goal is to survive so they will get to a host (a cat or dog) how ever they can. According to the American Humane Association, once your pets are vaccinated it could "[...] take a few days to a few weeks to become effective", so make sure you are keeping a close eye on who goes around your pet and where they may go for a week or two just to be on the safe side.

The American Humane Association listed the essential vaccines you should give your dog.
-The Distemper Shot (DHPP) protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus.
-Rabies vaccines are required by law since mammals and humans can get infected and it is fatal if untreated.
Some other recommended vaccines you should also consider for your dog are: Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease, Canine Influenza, and Corona Virus.
Each Vet has different recommendations of which vaccines to get depending on where your dog spends most of their time.  Depending on what vaccines your dog gets will determine how often they need to get re-vaccinated.  Make sure you discuss which vaccines will benefit your dog the most.

The American  Humane Association also listed the essential vaccines you should give your cat.
-The FelineViral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP)- this is commonly called the "Distemper Shot".
-Rabies vaccines are also required by law in most states for cats as well.
Some other recommended vaccines you should also consider for your cat are: Feline Leukemia (Felv), Chlamydia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), and Bordetella.
Just like with dogs each Vet has different recommendations of which vaccines to get depending on where your cat spends most of their time. Also just like with dogs make sure you discuss which vaccines will benefit your cat the most.

Humans can be vaccinated for Rabies as well, so if you are for whatever reason bitten by an animal please seek medical attention in case that animal has not been vaccinated.  Animals can only do so much in trying to stay healthy, it is up to us to make sure our pets are up to date on their vaccines so they can live a long happy life with us.

  Here is Chase on the counter waiting patiently for his shots while the Vet's Resident cat, Caboose, checks in on him.

Reference:

Vaccinating Your Pet. Retrieved from: http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/caring-for-your-pet/vaccinating-your-pet.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

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