Why Are Pet Vaccinations Necessary?
Dogs and cats can be at risk of infection just like any other animal. Therefore, immunity to disease is essential for them to live a healthy life. To increase your pet’s immunity, they should receive vaccinations on a routine basis. Our hospital in Nora is dedicated to protecting pets with timely vaccinations that are suited to their individual lifestyles. This is one of the most effective ways to not only prevent infection in your pet but to prevent the spread of certain diseases that put animals and people at risk.
What Vaccines do Pets Need?
The severity of diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvo make certain vaccinations a necessity. However, there are other, less-prevalent diseases that may be a higher risk for pets living in certain areas or near certain types of wildlife. Our doctors can help you choose which vaccines will benefit your pet the most and prevent over-vaccination.
The vaccines your pet receives in their lifetime are given based on risk and factors such as age, size, breed, travel frequency, and how often they socialize with other dogs or cats.
To customize plans, our hospital offers a variety of vaccines for dogs and cats:
Common Animal Diseases
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain. Without immediate treatment, this disease is almost always fatal. The most common vectors of this virus are bats, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. Rabies is spread via an infected animal’s saliva and its symptoms include muscle spasms, paralysis, fever, and excessive drooling.
Distemper differs between cats and dogs. Canine distemper is a life-threatening viral disease that targets the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Feline distemper, also known as the feline panleukopenia virus, is highly contagious and affects the intestines, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
Leptospirosis primarily affects dogs. Leptospira bacteria, which cause this infection, can be found just about anywhere in soil and standing water. A notable characteristic of Leptospirosis is that it is zoonotic, meaning it can be spread from animals to people. Rivers, lakes, rural properties, and exposure to wildlife (such as deer, raccoons, and rodents) can increase your dog’s risk of becoming infected.
Does Your Pet Need Protection from Disease?
Call (317) 257-5656 to meet with one of our doctors about your pet’s vaccination needs. We can discuss their vaccine timeline, existing and potential disease risks, and much more so you can make the most informed decisions about their care. Questions are always welcome!
