Vaccinations, Vaccinations, Vaccinations
Do I Really Need to Vaccinate My Pet & How Often?
The answer is: “Yes” for Some and “Maybe Not” for Others
What’s the difference between a Vaccination and an Annual Booster?
Annual vaccinations, (also called annual boosters), have played a major role in the prevention of major diseases in dogs and cats. For years, dog and cat owners have been advised by their veterinarians that annual boosters for Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Feline Leukemia and other illnesses are required yearly. While these vaccinations help prevent disease, a recent question on the minds of dog and cat owners has been:
Do these vaccines have to be given every year?
A second and equally important question is:
Are we vaccinating dogs and cats too much?
Consider that we vaccinate our children once in their lifetime of 80+ years.
If we vaccinate our animal companions annually as recommended, our pets receive as much as 20 times the amount of vaccination our children get in our pet’s life span of 14+ years.
Is this all really necessary or has it become commonplace to vaccinate annually based on a standard that may need review from evidence-based data.
Are we actually causing more harm than good by over-vaccinating our pets?
While vaccinations vary in their risks and benefits, they are not harmless. With many vaccinations, small portions of the disease are injected that have the potential to lower our pet’s immunity potentially leaving them open to fertile ground for the development of cancers later on in their life.
Why is the cancer rate of our animal companions so high?
That is the question that continues to perplex veterinary science. Certainly the role of annual booster vaccinations may play a more critical role than currently believed.
When is it CRITICAL to give vaccinations to our pets?
It is extremely important to vaccinate puppies and kittens for the prevention of several devastating illnesses as this is the time that they are most likely to contract many of the diseases which we vaccinate for. Early protection can prevent the heartbreak of dealing with parvovirus in a puppy or feline leukemia in a kitten.
Please contact your vet and work with him or her to establish and follow a vaccination schedule for your pediatric pet.
A series of early vaccinations is crucial to protecting all puppies and kittens. Continuing to vaccinate until all pets are protected against these diseases is the goal.
Are vaccinations available in tailor-made combinations?
Yes.
The vaccinations for dogs on the table below may or may not be needed depending on your particular circumstances. As many are often combined in a single injection and different combinations are available, it is possible for your veterinarian to tailor the vaccinations for your adult dog needs to match their unique needs.
Knowledge is Power
Your Vet should advise you on the correct vaccines for your pet. Knowledge is power, however, and the table below along with the questions above provide some of the education needed in order for you may ask your Vet more informed questions.
For more information, visit Dr. Loops website at: http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/index.htm
or http://www.aahanet.org/publicdocuments/caninevaccineguidelines.pdf
