Just like you receive important vaccinations throughout your lifetime, your pet needs them as well to protect them against some harmful, and even fatal, diseases they are likely to come across in theirs.
By practicing preventative healthcare through vaccinations, you also save money on costly treatments later on should your pets become infected with any disease.
The vaccinations we recommend for dogs:
The vaccinations we recommend for cats:
When should my pet be vaccinated?
When puppies and kittens are born, their immune systems are functioning off of their mother’s antibodies, obtained through their milk. Around 8 weeks of age, these antibodies start to wear off and your pet’s immune system needs to create necessary antibodies on their own to fight off disease. That is where vaccinations come in.
At Tabby Road Animal Hospital, we recommend initial vaccination at 8 weeks of age. These vaccinations should be repeated (boostered) every 4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks of age.
After the puppy/kitten vaccination regimen is finished, they should receive their vaccinations annually for the rest of their life, otherwise they are not protected.
How do vaccinations work and are they safe?
Vaccinations contain small quantities of altered, weakened, or killed versions of the virus or bacteria which they protect against. They stimulate your pet’s immune system to produce the antibodies necessary to fight of the disease, should your pet ever come into contact with it naturally.
Like any medical procedure for both pets and humans, there is a small chance of side effects with vaccinations. These potential side effects include soreness and swelling at the injection site, mild fever, and a decreased appetite. In more severe cases, allergic reactions may occur, though they are rare.
The risks of side effects from vaccinations are far less than the risks you take by leaving your pet un-vaccinated and susceptible to these diseases.