PET HEALTH By Dr. Scot Trefz, D.V.M.
Why Vaccines Are Important
Vaccines boost immunity and prevent serious diseases, including rabies and distemper. Vaccines may contain small amounts of weakened or killed viruses. After being vaccinated, antibodies will quickly kill and attack the virus, preventing your pet from becoming ill. Vaccination slows or stops the spread of disease, keeping pets, and sometimes, people, safe. Before the rabies vaccine was introduced, pets and humans exposed to the virus faced certain death. Thanks to the vaccine, introduced in the late 1800s, untold numbers of lives have been saved. Rabies still kills thousands of animals and people each year in places where vaccinations are uncommon.
Which Vaccines Do My Pets Need?
Core vaccines protect your pet from diseases most likely to occur where you live. Non-core vaccines are optional depending on your pet’s risk factors. Core vaccines for dogs include: adenovirus-2 (adenovirus and hepatitis), distemper, parvovirus and rabies. For cats, core vaccines are for: distemper, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus Type 1, rabies. Ferrets need distemper and rabies vaccines too.
Feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia, bordetella, and chlamydophila felis are non-core vaccines recommended for some cats. Veterinarians may suggest the feline leukemia vaccine, for example, if your pet spends times outdoors. Core vaccines are generally given to young pets, although adult pets that haven’t received them yet also need them. Some vaccines need to be repeated every year, while others are effective for three years or longer. The rabies vaccine schedule varies depending on the laws in your area.
What About Side Effects?
Side effects can occur after vaccination, but most are mild and only last for a day or two. Common side effects may include mild fever, pain around the injection site, lethargy, reduced appetite, coughing, and sneezing. Call your veterinarian immediately if your companion experiences nausea or vomiting, hives, trouble breathing, severe coughing or swelling around the face, eyes, or nose.
If you enjoyed this article, visit Dr. Scot M. Trefz, DVM – Tierra Verde resident and medical director at Bay Moorings Animal Hospital. Dr. Trefz, a 35-year experienced DVM, and his amazing team of veterinary professionals are located at 3695 50th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711 (next to the Maximo Moorings Marina and Bay Pointe Plaza Publix) 727.867.0118
Bay Moorings Animal Hospital • Dr. Scot Trefz, D.V.M., Medical Director & Owner • 727-867-0118 • 3695 50th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
www.baymooringsanimalhospital.com • facebook.com/baymooringsanimalhospitaldrtrefz