August is National Immunization Awareness Month, designed to remind pet owners to stay up to date on their pets immunizations. Regular vaccinations are crucial to maintaining your pets overall health and wellness. This month, schedule a visit with your veterinarian to evaluate your pets vaccination records and schedule any booster shots or immunizations.
Understanding the Importance of Vaccinations
Vaccinations prepare your pets immune system to fight disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which dont cause or carry active diseases, but look enough like them that they trigger the pets immune system response. Then, if the pet is ever exposed to the disease, his immune system will be prepared to fight it off entirely, or at least reduce the effects of the illness. Your pet doesnt need to be vaccinated against every disease, but your veterinarian will recommend vaccinations based on your pets age, habits and lifestyle, environment, and medical history.
Core Vaccinations for Pets
Core vaccinations are ones that are vital to the health of all pets, regardless of age or environment. For dogs, this includes vaccinations for:
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Canine hepatitis
- Rabies
For cats, the core vaccinations are:
- Panleukopenia
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpesvirus type I
- Rabies
Following a Vaccination Schedule
Your veterinarian will recommend a vaccination schedule for your pet based on its age, weight, and exposure risk. In addition to the vaccinations above, your veterinarian may recommend that your dog get vaccinated against Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi, or Leptospira bacteria. He may recommend your cat also get vaccinated against feline leukemia virus, Bordetella, Chlamydophila Felis and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Most puppies and kittens get their first vaccinations at six to eight weeks old, if they weigh enough. Their vaccination schedule will continue at weeks 10-12, 16-18, and months 12-16. They will then need booster shots every one to three years.
