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Vaccines

Shielding with Shots: Essential Vaccinations for Your Pet's Health

Vaccinations For Pets

Similar to humans, pets are susceptible to infectious diseases, some of which can even be transmitted to humans. To ensure the safety and well-being of your pets, and by extension, your family, we strongly advise adhering to current vaccination guidelines as part of responsible pet ownership.

Puppies And Kittens

Puppies and kittens get early disease protection from their mother’s milk, provided she’s vaccinated, but this only lasts a few weeks. When you bring home your new pet, they may have received their first shots; always confirm this with the previous owner. If not, it’s crucial to schedule their first vaccinations promptly after you take them in. As a Guideline:

Dogs

It’s important to regularly vaccinate your dog against these common diseases:

Leptospirosis

A bacterial disease usually contracted from contaminated water, it can cause symptoms in pets such as fever, vomiting, and jaundice, potentially leading to organ failure or death. Treatable with antibiotics, infected pets can still be carriers. This disease is also a serious risk to humans.

Canine Distemper Virus

Transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, this disease has no specific cure, and dogs with severe symptoms often succumb to it. Survivors typically face neurological challenges later on. Common symptoms include fever, coughing, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Canine Parvovirus

This illness, primarily affecting puppies and unvaccinated dogs, is transmitted through contact with the feces of infected canines. Key symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Without intervention, the mortality rate from parvovirus is about 80%, but with treatment, there's an 85% chance of recovery.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis

The virus, spread through bodily fluids, can linger in the environment for an extended time and manifests in two forms: a kennel cough-type infection and hepatitis. Its symptoms, similar to parvovirus, are treatable, and most dogs recover. Dogs staying in kennels might also receive a nasal vaccine against kennel cough, caused by the parainfluenza virus and bordetella bronchiseptica. Additionally, dogs traveling internationally should be vaccinated against rabies.

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Cats

It’s essential to regularly vaccinate your cat against these diseases:

Feline Calicivirus

Often referred to as 'cat flu', this illness manifests through sneezing, fever, nasal and eye discharge, and mouth ulcers. It spreads through direct cat-to-cat interaction, airborne transmission, or environmental contamination. While vaccination offers protection against some strains, it does not cover all.

Feline Herpes Virus

This virus, spread via an infected cat's saliva or nasal and eye discharge, can linger in the environment and is often likened to 'cat flu'. Symptoms like fever, sneezing, and eye issues are common. Infected cats become lifelong carriers, with recurrent episodes managed through antibiotics and eye drops.

Feline Infectious Enteritis

This virus, transmitted through waste of infected cats, weakens their immune system and can pass from mother to kitten. Symptoms include fever and dehydration. Vaccination is key, particularly for cats in urban or multi-cat settings, to prevent symptoms like poor coat, appetite loss, and jaundice, which can escalate to leukemia or lymphoma.

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Rabbits

Rabbits are susceptible to infectious diseases, with two specific ones posing a significant risk and potential for severe suffering. These include:

Myxomatosis

A virus spread by fleas, mites, and mosquitoes can be deadly for rabbits, often causing death within two weeks. Initial symptoms include swelling and potential blindness, followed by high fever and eating difficulties. It spreads quickly, especially in unclean conditions. Vaccination can lead to milder forms and recovery, but unvaccinated rabbits often require euthanasia.

Rabbit Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (RVHD)

RVHD, spreading through direct contact between rabbits and in their environment, causes high fever, internal bleeding, and liver disease, often being fatal with no effective treatment. Post-mortem examinations may show bloodstained fluid around the nose and mouth. Vaccination is the only preventive method.

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