Saturday, 9 June 2012

Importance of Vaccinations for Pets - Especially Cats and Dogs

It is extremely important that cat and dog owners get their pets vaccinated as part of their total health care program. Regular vaccinations prevent a dog or cat from contracting a number of debilitating, and sometimes fatal, diseases. Vaccinations are looked at as a cornerstone of current animal preventative medicine. As with the advancement of modern human vaccinations, current canine and feline vaccinations have evolved over the years leading to a decrease in adverse reactions and an increase in the ability of the vaccination to keep pets healthy.

Vaccinations offer protection to cats and dogs against a variety of diseases. For cats, vaccinations protect against rabies, feline viral rhinotracheitis, and feline immunodeficiency virus. For dogs, vaccinations protect against rabies as well, but also canine parvovirus, canine distemper, and even Lyme disease. The vaccinations enable the immune system of the cat or dog to build up a resistance in the event they are exposed to the virus. There are three functions of a vaccination. The first is a live form of the modified infectious agent that will not create the virus; the second is a killed form of the selected infectious agent that cannot produce a disease; and the third is only a fraction of the selected infection agent which cannot cause the disease. The immune system reacts in a way that it builds a protective defense against the disease. A number of pets experience no harmful side effects associated with the vaccinations, but there can be mild symptoms, including lethargy, listlessness, mild fever, and mild swelling and discomfort around the site of the injection.

Kittens Cats

Although there is the possibility of abnormal adverse reactions to pet vaccinations, it is extremely important that pets get vaccinated. Vaccinating not only protects the cat or dog from various infection diseases, but it also protects pet owners. Some diseases, such as rabies, can be transmitted to humans as well. When a dog or cat contracts a disease, not only is it extremely painful for them, it is also very costly to treat. Vaccinations are seen as a great preventative method to keep a dog or cat healthy. The build up the immune system so if they are exposed to the disease, the likelihood of them becoming sick is a lot less. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that just like humans can get the flu even with getting a flue vaccination, dogs and cats can still get sick. Vaccines may not prevent the disease fully, but the vaccination will minimize the overall seriousness of the disease if the dog or cat does contract it. Many professional veterinarians will always recommend that puppies and kittens get the necessary vaccinations. Young kittens and puppies are at higher risk of contracting diseases as their immune system is not fully developed.

Importance of Vaccinations for Pets - Especially Cats and Dogs

Pet owners want to keep their dogs and cats healthy at all times possible. To do this, they will need regular vaccinations as scheduled by their local veterinarian. Vaccinations are the best way to ensure a long and healthy life for all pets.

Importance of Vaccinations for Pets - Especially Cats and Dogs

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