To vaccinate or to not vaccinate, that is the question that many pet owners ask. However, vaccines are an important part of your pet’s health care. Winslow Animal Hospital gives you the top 5 reasons to have your pet vaccinated.
1. The Best Prevention
Vaccines help protect your pet against life-threatening diseases. They have helped improve the quality of life in millions of pets around the world. Some of the core diseases that your pet should be vaccinated against include:
Cats
- Feline Lukiemia – A immune suppressant disease.
- Feline Panleukopenia (or Feline Distemper) – A virus that effects cell production and compromises the immune system.
- Feline Calicivirus – A respiratory disease.
- Feline Herpesvirus ( or Viral Rhinotracheitis) – A highly contagious virus that causes upper respiratory infections.
Dogs
- Canine Parvovirus – which causes severe intestinal or cardiac issues that can lead to death.
- Canine Disptemper – A virus that systematically attacks organ systems.
- Leptosporosis – A bacterial infection that attacks the nervous system.
- Canine Hepatitis – A virus that effects organ function, most notably the liver.
- Canine Parainfluenza – A cold like virus that can cause Canine Cough.
Vaccines such as the DHLPP for dogs and the FRVCP for cats cover most of these disease in one vaccine. These deadly diseases used to be common place, but are starting to become less so thanks to vaccination. However, your unvaccinated pet is still at risk for these diseases.
2. Cost of Prevention vs. Cost of Treatment
The difference between the cost of treatment and the cost of prevention can be quite substantial. For example, a DHLPP vaccine can cost $15 to $20 depending on the Veterinary practice. However treatment for Leptosporoisis (which is included in the DHLPP vaccine) can cost thousands of dollars for treatment due to the organ damage that it causes.
3. Protection Against Wildlife Diseases
Vaccines can protect you pet from disease that are commonly carried in the wild. The biggest example of this is Rabies. Your pet can catch rabies from being bitten by a wild animal (such as raccoons). This also includes diseases such as:
- Lyme
- Distemper
- Leptosprosis
4. Protection Against Zoonotic Diseases
Vaccines not only protect your furry friend, but your family as well. There are many diseases that are considered zoonotic, meaning that they can be transmitted to humans. Such diseases can include Rabies and Leptosporosis. You can learn more about dieases that can be spread to humans on our Zoontic diseases blog.
5. Vaccines Can Be Mandatory
Depending on where you live, there could be rules requiring to have your pet vaccinated. If you wish to board your pet for a period of time, vaccination may also required, specifically Bordatella and Rabies. For our fellow New Jersey Residents, state law requires that all cats and dogs receive the rabies vaccine and are required to stay up to date on it.
Make sure to read all rules and regulations regarding vaccination for the area you live in, groomers, and boarding.
Staying up to date on your pet’s vaccines is important. Contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment to talk about your pet’s vaccination routine.
