Vaccinating your cat or dog is an important part of their preventative health care. Vaccines are designed to protect your pets against a range of infections and potentially fatal diseases, giving them the best chance of living a long and healthy life.
In this blog, we’ve compiled the key facts you need to know about vaccinating your cat or dog.
Why do pets actually need vaccinations?
Many diseases that can affect dogs and cats are incredibly infectious. While puppies and kittens receive immunity to a range of diseases from their mother through her milk, once they reach about 6 weeks of age, they start to become vulnerable to infection.
Vaccines help to stimulate your pet’s immune system and prevent future infections from diseases. Without vaccination, your pet is significantly at risk of developing illnesses that could prove costly to treat and may even become fatal.
How often does my cat or dog need to be vaccinated?
Your pet’s vaccination schedule is usually determined by their stage of life.
For puppies and kittens, a typical vaccination program follows this schedule:
- 1st vaccination – 6-8 weeks of age
- 2nd vaccination – 10-12 weeks
- 3rd vaccination – 14-16 weeks
However, this schedule will not suit every animal. While it’s important that the first vaccination is given between 6-8 weeks of age, the timing of their second and third vaccinations can vary depending on your pet’s breed and individual needs. Your vet will recommend a personalised vaccination schedule for your pet at your first appointment.
After these initial vaccinations during the first stage of their lives, cats and dogs typically move to an annual vaccination schedule. This yearly visit to the vet is also a great opportunity for your pet to be seen by a vet, without having to make a separate appointment for a check-up.
When we provide vaccinations at Bryants Road Vet, we also undertake a comprehensive health check at the time of every vaccination. We allow 30 minutes to thoroughly check over your pet, discuss any other preventative health recommendations, and address any concerns or questions you may have.
What diseases should my pet be protected against?
Your vet will recommend a vaccination program that is designed to suit your pet’s lifestyle and age.
A common vaccination schedule includes protection against:
- Dogs – parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and kennel cough.
- Cats – herpesvirus, calicivirus, parvovirus and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Are there side effects from vaccinating my cat or dog?
While it is very uncommon for a pet to have any serious side effects from being vaccinated, we understand that some pet owners may have concerns about vaccinations.
Just like humans, pets can sometimes experience some mild side effects in the day or two following their vaccinations. This can include minor swelling at the injection site, a mild fever, decreased appetite and mild respiratory signs such as sneezing.
If you are ever concerned about any side effects your pet may be experiencing, please contact your vet for advice.
What happens if my pet misses a vaccination?
We understand that life can get busy, and your pet’s annual vaccination booster may not always be provided on schedule. However, the longer you leave it for your pet to receive their scheduled vaccination, the less immunity they have against the most common viral diseases. Therefore, it is important to schedule an appointment for their booster as close as possible to their scheduled date. We will send you reminders when your pet’s vaccination is due.
What if my cat is always kept indoors?
A common misconception when it comes to vaccinations is that cats who don’t socialise with other pets don’t require protection against infectious diseases. Most of the viruses that vaccination protects against are airborne viruses. Such viruses can very easily be spread through an open window, so it is necessary for all cats to be vaccinated, regardless of if they are indoor or outdoor pets.
If your cat is always kept inside, then they won’t require the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vaccine, as this is transmitted through physical or casual contact with infected cats.
Have more questions about pet vaccinations?
Vaccinating your pet is ultimately a personal choice, but it is important that you are fully informed of the risk of disease to your cat or dog.
A vet is the best source of information regarding vaccinations. They can answer any of your questions, and tailor a vaccination program that suit’s your pet’s age, condition and lifestyle. If you have any questions about the suitability of vaccinating your pet, our vets would be happy to discuss all the options available.
To book an appointment, you can call us on 07 3801 1744, schedule an appointment online or drop into our vet clinic at 141 Bryants Road, Loganholme.