Why Vaccinating Your Pet is Important
As a pet owner, keeping your beloved fluffy safe and well is your priority. Let's look into dog's vaccinations; are they important, what do they protect against, and how often do they have to be topped up?
What Diseases Should I Get Cat's Vaccinations Against?
Cat and dog's vaccines protect against serious illnesses. They are best administered when your pet is young, and you will always be advised to keep a puppy or kitten at home until they are suitably protected and safe to go out and about!
Most vets will offer combined vaccines, protecting against different illnesses for dog and cat vaccines.
Dog's vaccinations include:
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
Cat's vaccinations include:
- Cat flu
- Feline infectious enteritis
- Feline leukaemia virus
These illnesses are severe, and often fatal, so taking the time to get your dog's vaccinations is crucial.
Why Do Cat Vaccines Need Boosters?
A booster is usually annual and is a 'top-up'. This means that your pet remains suitably protected as they get older, and this bolsters their immune system to protect against new strains of the illness.
Dog's vaccinations also protect other animals. If your pet has had a severe contagious condition or carries an illness without being effected there is the potential of another pet catching it and becoming severely ill.
Keeping up to date with your cat's vaccinations is essential both for their health, and the safety of all their fluffy friends in the neighbourhood.
What Do I Do If I Miss a Booster Vaccination?
If you miss a booster, give your vet a call and they will usually advise that you need to have the vaccination topped up as soon as possible.
Depending on how late the booster is, it might also be necessary to start with a primary vaccination again. This is the first vaccine a pet is given when they are little and might need to be repeated if a booster hasn't been kept up with, and your dog or cat is vulnerable again to potentially fatal illnesses.
