When you get your dog vaccinated, you are doing the right thing as vaccinations protect your pet from life-threatening diseases such as distemper and rabies. But not all are akin to getting their pets the needed vaccine. The most recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the number of rabid dogs climbed to 14 percent from 2014 to 2015. Today, around 60 to 70 dogs in the US get rabies each year from wildlife because the vast majority of these dogs have not been vaccinated.
Another report shows that roughly 3 percent of dog owners do not want their furry friends vaccinated. Their reasoning of the clients varies, but often there is no scientific basis to justify it.
The Importance of Pet Vaccination
Pets, like people, can be protected from diseases if you get them vaccinated. Annual visits to your vet, along with keeping up to date with your beloved's vaccination can help keep them safe and healthy.
Studies have shown that widespread use of vaccines within the last century has prevented death and diseases in millions of animals worldwide. Even though there are common diseases today that are no longer difficult to treat, vaccines are still recommended as these diseases continue to be present in the environment.
Vaccination is effective and will ensure that future diseases can be prevented. There are cases where a pet does not develop adequate immunity, but this is a rare condition. And if they do get ill, it will only be minor and can easily get treated.
The Risks of Vaccinating Your Pet
Most pets respond well to vaccines and they won't have any issues. But, like any other medical procedure, vaccination comes with risks. The most common is that your pet will experience mild and short-term fever, sluggishness, and reduced appetite. Some pets may experience temporary pain or subtle swelling on the site of vaccination. These will often go away within a day or two, but if your pet experiences excessive pain, swelling, or listlessness, you need to contact your vet right away.
Dogs with certain medical conditions might need to avoid vaccination as it could trigger a bigger immune response that might risk the other parts of your pet's body. Ask for the appropriate vaccination for your pet particularly when they have underlying conditions such as autoimmune disease, active infection, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus, or any other diseases. In some cases, it is best to delay the vaccination until your pet has completely healed.
What Vaccines Should My Pet Receive?
There are two types of vaccines for your pet, core and non-core vaccines.
The core vaccines depend on the impact of the disease and the likelihood of its exposure and risk of unprotected exposure in a particular area. Core vaccines protect against the following diseases:
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Rabies
- Hepatitis
- Dog Flu
Noncore vaccines are additional vaccines that may be needed depending on your dog's lifestyle, and where you live.
For example, if your pet is frequently groomed, or boarded, they may get vaccines against kennel cough. If you live in an area near swimming or hiking spots, or with lots of ticks, your vet may recommend vaccines against Lyme disease or Leptospira bacteria.
How Often Should I Get my Pet Vaccinated
There are many factors to consider to determine how often you will get your pet vaccinated. Ask your veterinarian about your dog's vaccination schedule so that they can tailor a program to help your pet be in the best health.