When it comes to protecting your pets from disease, you may feel unsure about which vaccinations are vital and which ones can be skipped or done on a less frequent basis. If this sounds like you, then keep reading to find out how our comprehensive guide to pet vaccinations can help.
We’ll discuss the difference between core and non-core vaccinations, how often they should be given, and what age they’re best started. We’ll also break down the different vaccines for dogs and cats, with information on what they cover and where to get them.
Core vaccinations are more crucial, and as a result, should be given either every one to three years or every three to four months. If a dog receives these vaccinations, they’re protected from some of the most common diseases that its breed is susceptible to.
Senior, pregnant, and immune-compromised dogs should always receive core vaccinations. However, even younger puppies should receive them as well since they’ve had less chance to develop resistance to these diseases; although it’s best if you wait until the puppy is a little older before giving them all of their shots – this way they won’t need a lot at one time. These vaccines also cover some illnesses non-domesticated can transmit to your pet.
Do not skip core vaccinations! They are an essential part of protecting your dog from dangerous illnesses.
Core vaccinations include:
Non-core vaccinations are less crucial and as a result, can be given less often. That said, they are still very important so some of them should be given once a year. Once your pet has received these vaccinations, it’ll be protected against illnesses and parasites that can be transmitted by bugs, such as fleas or ticks. These diseases aren’t as common in dogs as rabies – even though it’s not an illness you want to ignore – but it is extremely rare for domestic animals to contract the disease.
These vaccines can also help reduce the risk of intestinal worms and keep kennel cough at bay! It’s best to give them when your dog is at least 12 weeks old, and the best time to start them is when they’re 6 months. When giving vaccinations to your pet, keep in mind that their immune system won’t be fully developed until 18 months or so – this limits the effectiveness of certain vaccines!
This also means it’s important for you to stay up-to-date with which vaccinations are available for pets as many new types are becoming more and more common.
Non-core vaccinations include:
It’s not just your dogs that need protecting, though. There are a whole host of different vaccinations available for your other pets too, such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and more. Some of the vaccines available protect against parasites that all animals can transmit to each other. Other vaccines are unique for certain pets and provide them with protection from illnesses or infections that only affect a small number of animals.
All of these vaccinations will be crucial in keeping your pets safe, healthy and free from disease! They’re also much less expensive if you get them all at once rather than individually – this is especially true for core vaccinations since you’ll need fewer boosters! You can easily find all of these core vaccinations at your local vet; just make sure you choose one that’s recommended by the manufacturer so you don’t accidentally buy fakes or low-quality products.
We touched on this a little above, but we thought it would be more beneficial for you if we went into a little more detail. So, let’s get started.
There are many different types of vaccinations, each with a different frequency and age requirement. Keep in mind that before being vaccinated, your pet’s immune system isn’t fully developed. That said, if you’re going to vaccinate them at all, it’s best to do so before they turn 18 months old when their immune system will be able to take on the vaccine.
Some of the vaccines, like rabies, may need to be administered more often than every 12 months. The frequency of rabies vaccines is dependent on the jurisdiction and individual laws, as well as the breed.
We have already spoken about what the different vaccines protect against your pet dogs. So now let us briefly touch on some of the different vaccinations for other household pets and what they can help to protect against.
Feline Leukemia – this vaccine protects against disease, similar to leukaemia in humans. It’s a type of cancer that starts off as cancerous tissues developing within the bone marrow and then spreads via your pet’s blood system – this makes it very difficult for veterinarians to treat, so protecting your cat from it is crucial!
Cats also require other vaccinations that are actually required by law if you live in certain areas, or have plans to move into these specific regions. These include FIP, rabies and Giardia vaccination. You’ll need one dose of each of these before moving into an area with laws requiring them; they should be given at least a month before the new residence otherwise they will not be accepted as valid for a suitable time frame.
The FIP Vaccine, (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), is a viral disease that produces symptoms similar to other infectious diseases but can also lead to more severe problems including urinary tract infections, intestinal obstruction, and liver and kidney failure. It’s generally fatal if not treated quickly, so make sure your cat is vaccinated from an early age! It should be administered every year or two for cats at risk of exposure (e.g. outdoor cats).
Rabbits need certain vaccinations to protect them against myxomatosis, the viral disease responsible for the “rabbit plagues” that used to occur in Australia and Europe. It made rabbits very sick by multiplying within their bodies and it’s still fairly common in some areas of Europe. If your pet rabbit isn’t up-to-date on these vaccinations then it won’t be protected against myxomatosis – this means you may have to put them down if they’re exposed!
Guinea Pigs make great companions, unfortunately, they are very susceptible to respiratory diseases, so they need several vaccinations as a special defence against illness. This includes Myco and Influenza vaccines, Hep B vaccination (against liver disease), Parvo protection (as well as others) and also treatment for parasites, this can be picked up from the pet store.
Parrots, like other birds, have very sensitive respiratory systems, and so require a lot of care to protect their airways. Health complications are most common in these pets, especially when they’re not given the correct vaccinations. A good rule is to make sure that your parrot has all of their annual shots before bringing them home – that way you can be confident that they’ll stay healthy for many years to come!
The main one that is highly recommended for long term health and protection against diseases such as panleukopenia (distemper) is the polyomavirus (PV) vaccination. There are also other vaccinations that can be given to help protect your parrot against diseases such as avian encephalomyelitis, chlamydiosis and psittacosis. These include the Newcastle disease vaccine, fowlpox virus vaccine and infectious bronchitis virus vaccines.
There are countless vaccines that can be given as part of routine wellness care to pets, too many to list here. So please remember these important benefits for your animals and make sure they get their needed vaccinations regularly.
Most of the regular vaccinations can be given at your local vet clinic, or you can ask a breeder to get them done for you. If the breeder doesn’t offer this service, they should be able to give you details of a reliable place that will do it for a small fee. It’s also not uncommon for vets and pet shops to sell special vaccination sets that contain several injections – it’s cheaper in the long run! But always make sure your pets have been given their full course so they’re properly protected against harmful diseases.
We hope this article has helped you to understand a little more about pet vaccinations and what they’re for, as well as how important it is for you to ensure your pets are up-to-date with their shots. There’s a lot of information to remember, so make sure to write everything on a calendar or in your diary. You may also want to get their vaccines from a breeder – but if they have all necessary injections before making the trip!
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions or seek our help with anything. We’re always available and prepared to answer any of your queries.
