What you need to know about animal vaccination

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

What problems can a refusal of vaccination cause and why vaccinate a cat that does not leave the house.

Why vaccinate your pet?

The mechanism is the same as when vaccinating a person. Vaccination means the introduction of a dead or weakened "live" pathogen into the body to teach the immune system to recognize and respond quickly to disease.

Thanks to the vaccine, the pet develops immunity, and in the event of a meeting with a really dangerous infection, the animal either will not get sick at all, or the disease will pass in a mild form.

What happens if you refuse vaccination?

Then the owner and his pet will face serious restrictions.

Without vaccination, it is very dangerous for an animal to walk on the street, because there is a high risk of catching diseases from other animals - for example, the deadly carnivore plague, which is easily transmitted by contact.

Certain diseases - chlamydia in particular - are passed on to offspring during pregnancy, so the animal will not be allowed to breed. If your pet is purebred, you will also have to forget about participation in exhibitions - you cannot get to them without a corresponding mark in the animal's passport.

And if the animal does not leave the house, are vaccinations still needed?

Needed. In particular, a cat can contract the plague of carnivores or calicivirus from the clothes, shoes or hands of the owner, on which the infection "arrived" home. And the immunity of a pet that has not been "trained" with the vaccine will simply not cope with the infection.

What vaccinations do cats and dogs need to get?

Cats must be vaccinated against calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, rabies and panleukopenia. Dogs - from the plague of carnivores, viral hepatitis, adenovirus infections, parvovirus enderitis, leptospirosis and rabies.

The first vaccination is carried out at 6-8 weeks. Most often, all the necessary vaccines are included in one preparation, so you can get by with one injection. In no case should this vaccination be skipped: kittens and puppies are just forming their bodies, they are very susceptible to infections. The deaths of animals from viral diseases at an early age are much higher than among adult pets.

3-4 weeks after the first vaccination, when the animal is 2-3 months old, the procedure is repeated. As a rule, the pet is already given two injections: the same drug is administered as the first time, as well as the rabies vaccine. In some cases, the rabies vaccine may be included in the general vaccine.

Rabies immunity is developed within 21 days. It is important to remember that after being vaccinated against this terrible disease, the animal must spend at least two weeks in quarantine in order for a stable immunity to form and the necessary amount of antibodies for an immune response to accumulate.

The vaccination does not end there. The next vaccination is done one year after the first, and so every 12 months throughout the life of the animal. Do not forget about vaccinations for an elderly pet: like puppies with kittens, they are also at risk. Immunity decreases with age, and it is more difficult for animals to cope with infectious diseases.

Do rats, ferrets, rabbits and other animals need to be vaccinated?

Of course, rodents, ferrets and rabbits have infectious diseases. So, guinea pigs can be affected by microsporia. It can be avoided if the animal is vaccinated against ringworm every year.

As for rabbits, they should be vaccinated against hemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis. This is especially important for young individuals that do not respond well to treatment.

If you decide to vaccinate a rodent, rabbit or ferret, it is best to contact a veterinarian who specializes in these species.

Are there side effects from vaccinations?

The following manifestations are possible:

• Allergic reactions. Perhaps the most dangerous of these is anaphylactic shock. Its common symptoms are sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, disorientation in space, convulsions and coma. The gums of the animal become pale, the limbs become cold, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, while the pulse weakens. In the area of the muzzle, swelling can sometimes be observed. If you notice these signs, seek veterinary attention immediately.
• Local reactions … They develop in the area of the injection, usually in the form of a slight swelling. In rare cases, local soreness, hyperthermia (the injection site becomes swollen and hot) or edema appear. This usually does not require treatment and goes away within a few days.
• General reactions … These include fever, malaise, and short-term loss of appetite. Most often these are harmless manifestations. However, if you observe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, convulsions in your pet, then you should definitely consult a doctor.

How do I prepare my pet for vaccination?

The algorithm is simple and requires little effort:

1. 7-10 days before the scheduled vaccination, you should rid your pet of helminths. For this, animals are usually given special preparations.
2. At this time, it is better not to walk the puppy or take walks only in the adjacent territory, which is kept clean.
3. During the week before vaccination, it is recommended to monitor the general condition of the pet. Changes in behavior, appetite and activity should be alerted.

Trust the procedure only to a trusted specialist and choose your veterinary clinic carefully. A conscientious doctor will answer all your questions about the vaccine, and before vaccination, he will examine the animal and ask if the pet is allergic to any drugs.