Vaccinate to protect!

As a pet owner, you hear a lot about vaccinations and how your four-legged friend has to have them. But what are pet vaccinations? And what vaccinations should your pet have?

Protecting Pets from Disease

Simply put, vaccinations are given to protect your pet against disease. During vaccination, a modified bacteria, parasite or virus is administered to your pet by injection or intra-nasally. The vaccination triggers an immune response within your pet’s body to protect against a specific disease.

Vaccinations for Young Pets

Veterinarians usually recommend giving puppies and kittens a series of vaccinations starting when they are approximately six weeks old. Young animals need to be vaccinated early on since the natural immunity in their mothers’ milk gradually wears off and they become vulnerable to infectious diseases.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), a series of vaccinations are usually scheduled approximately two to four weeks apart, with the final vaccination series being administered when they are about 16 weeks old.

The Importance of Annual Shots

Annual booster shots will also be necessary to keep vaccine levels high enough in your pet to protect them over time. Many people believe that once an animal is an adult that they are no longer at risk for disease. Unfortunately, anyone who has lost a pet due to a preventable disease can tell you how important it is to vaccinate them according to your vet.

Don’t let yourself be one more that had to learn by way of cause and effect….Vaccines are important!