Importance of Vaccines for Your Pet
An essential part of every young animal's first visit to our veterinarian includes vaccines. When people bring in their new family members, our team at Marietta Animal Hospital provides the recommended types of vaccines to prevent disease. For both kittens and puppies throughout Jacksonville, FL, our veterinarian encourages vaccinations to be a top priority for promoting overall health.
Many diseases for animals that used to be fatal are now easily preventable, thanks to advancements in scientific research. A vaccine triggers the immune response in an animal, so they develop immunity to the illness. Your pet is protected from widespread and highly infectious diseases through a simple injection at our Jacksonville, FL office.
Veterinarian Recommended Vaccines for Kittens
There are core vaccines and non-core vaccines that are recommended for your kitten, depending on lifestyle. The core vaccines recommended for all kittens are given every 3-4 weeks until they are four months old. These vaccines include feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus 1), feline distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, and rabies. The rabies vaccine is only given once, somewhere between 12-16 weeks old. Non-core vaccines are given to cats that will spend time outside or to kittens in contact with outdoor cats. These non-core vaccines include chlamydophila and feline leukemia vaccine (FeLV).
Veterinarian Recommended Vaccines for Puppies
Vaccines for your puppy are also administered in the first few months, between 6 weeks and 16 months of age. There is also a rabies vaccine for puppies in addition to a DHPP vaccine that protects against distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parainfluenza, and parvovirus. These are the core vaccines administered to all puppies. We also provide non-core vaccines that protect against bordetella, canine influenza, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease.
A Worthwhile Investment into Your Pet's Health
If you choose not to invest in vaccinating your pet, there is a chance that your pet may not contract an illness. Your pet could be perfectly healthy, and you will have saved a small amount of money. If your pet does contract a disease that a vaccine would've otherwise prevented, your costs might be considerable. Our veterinarian and professionals at Marietta Animal Hospital highly recommend all young animals receive vaccines, ensuring that they are well protected against any disease that can negatively affect their health.
FAQs
Why Does My Pet Need to be Vaccinated?
Vaccines are an excellent source of protection against dangerous illnesses. Some of these include rabies, distemper, or parvovirus. Vaccines help your pet fight off these diseases with a better equipped immune system. Without vaccines, pets may become extremely ill or even die.
What Is The Difference Between Core and Non-Core Vaccines?
Veterinary professionals agree core vaccines are essential to your pet's overall well-being. For dogs, the list of recommended core vaccines is listed below: rabies hepatitis distemper parvovirus and parainfluenza. For cats, the recommended core vaccines are: rabies feline distemper feline calicivirus feline herpesvirus.
Non-core vaccines are ones given that can vary depending on your pet's lifestyle or pre-existing conditions. A few examples of when non-core vaccines are needed include if you board your pet or live in an area where a particular disease is more prevalent.
What Should I Know About Puppy and Kitten Vaccines?
The youngest pets will need to start a vaccination schedule early because their immune system isn't fully developed. For example, cats and dogs can begin around eight weeks of age. They will then continue every 3-4 weeks until they reach around 20 weeks (about 5 months). After the initial series, our veterinarian will provide further information on what is needed for your pet.
How Often Should My Pet Be Vaccinated?
No two pets are alike, and their vaccination needs can differ, but we are here to help make it easy for you. Our team provides a customized vaccination schedule for your pet. Furthermore, we will regularly update the pet owner to ensure the cat or dog is living a happy and healthy life.
Are Vaccinations Safe for My Pet?
Our animal clinic has the experience you should expect to deliver optimal care for your pets. Vaccines are a safe preventative measure and pets rarely have an adverse reaction. Typically, some tenderness around the injection site occurs, but that is normal.