August is National Pet Immunization Awareness Month, the perfect time to review your pet’s vaccination record and make sure it’s up to date. Immunizing your pet protects him from infectious diseases that could cause illness, injury, or death. This August, call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment to update your pet’s vaccinations.
How Vaccinations Work
Vaccinations prepare your pet’s immune system to fight off organisms that cause disease. Vaccinations contain antigens, which look like the disease and trick the pet’s immune system into creating a response. The stimulation of the pet’s immune system allows it to recognize the disease if it encounters it again, and fight it off efficiently and effectively. Your veterinarian will determine what vaccinations your pet needs based on his age, weight, environment, habits, lifestyle, and exposure risk. This may include core and non-core vaccinations.
Core Vaccinations for Cats & Dogs
Core vaccinations are ones that are crucial to help cats and dogs live long, happy, and healthy lives by fighting off common diseases. Getting your pet vaccinated will prevent illness and injury to your pet, as well as the transmission of the disease to other animals and humans. Core vaccinations for dogs include parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and rabies. Core vaccinations for cats include distemper, calicivirus, herpesvirus type I, and rabies.
Non-Core Vaccinations & Monthly Medications
Your veterinarian will determine if your pet needs non-core vaccinations based on his exposure risk and lifestyle. Non-core vaccinations for dogs include kennel cough, borrelia, and leptospira bacteria. Non-core vaccinations for cats include feline leukemia virus, bordetella, and chlamydophila felis. Your veterinarian may also recommend monthly preventive medications that reduce your pet’s risk of contracting parasites. Parasites carry disease, cause infection, and damage organs and blood. Depending on your pet’s exposure risk, your veterinarian may recommend medication to prevent:
● Heartworm
● Hookworms
● Roundworms
● Whipworms
● Tapeworms
● Fleas
● Ticks
● Mites
Contact your veterinarian today to schedule an appointment to discuss your pet’s vaccination needs. Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s risk levels and determine if he needs booster shots or monthly preventive medications.