Cat and Dog Vaccinations
Vaccination is one of the simplest methods to help your pet live a healthy life and avoid diseases.
There are various kinds of vaccines that help your pet fight illnesses. Each one has some risks and benefits that need proper assessment in terms of your animal’s general medical health and lifestyle. Therefore, it is essential to visit your vet in Athens, GA(Link→Homepage) for timely and appropriate cat and dog vaccinations.
The Purpose of Cat and Dog Vaccines
A pet vaccine works by inducing an immune response to a specific virus and helps shield your pet from further infections and illnesses. The animal’s body then produces antibodies to fight the viruses. In general, your pet will live a healthier, happier life if you keep its cap and dog vaccination up to date.
Core Vaccinations
It’s crucial to protect your pet from viruses and sickness for the first year of their life and beyond. As your cat or dog ages, it becomes increasingly crucial to adhere to a regular vaccination schedule. The core vaccinations advised for cats and dogs are mentioned below:
The virus that causes rabies targets the central nervous system. Excessive drooling, paralysis, anxiety, and death may occur in the course of the disease. It is a zoonotic illness that can spread to humans and other animals. In most US cities and states, rabies vaccinations are required due to the lethal nature of the disease. These precautions help keep the transmission rates to people low.
Pups under four months old and unvaccinated dogs face a higher risk or contracting parvovirus. Loss of appetite, fever, vomit, and diarrhea are symptoms of parvo. It affects the gastrointestinal tract. Contacting your veterinarian is essential since vomiting and diarrhea can have severe consequences. It may lead to serious dehydration in a matter of hours. In addition, you may need to hospitalize your cat or dog to keep them hydrated.
Your pet’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems are all affected by the distemper virus. It is transmitted through airborne droplets produced by sneezing or coughing. Sharing water bowls can also spread the distemper virus. Distemper can result in eye and nasal discharge, fever, coughing, seizures, twitching, vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, and death. Young pets with distemper need to be hospitalized and take medicine to treat subsequent infections. Pets can recover from distemper, but they frequently have neurological dysfunction for the rest of their lives.
This virus affects the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and eyes. It targets the liver but has adverse effects on multiple organs. Canine hepatitis causes stomach enlargement, fever, congestion, and pain around the liver, among other symptoms. The most serious cases can harm the liver and may even cause death. If you suspect hepatitis, make an appointment with our vet as soon as possible.
The leading cause of “kennel cough” is Bordetella. The bacterium known as Bordetella is extremely contagious. The kennel cough vaccinations are available as intranasal, injectable, and oral doses. They may also offer protection against additional kennel cough causes such as parainfluenza and adenovirus. The majority of Bordetella immunizations last between 6 and 12 months.
Non-Core Dog Vaccinations
There are many vaccinations that can help your cat or dog stay healthy and happy. Your veterinarian can suggest one or more non-core cat and dog vaccinations depending on where you live.
A bacterium called a spirochete is the source of the tick-borne illness known as Lyme disease. This bacterium lives naturally in the tick. It is spread to animals by tick bites. Limping, swollen lymph nodes, a lack of appetite, and unstable fever are all signs of Lyme disease. Lyme disease often produces neurological symptoms and targets the heart, joints, and kidneys. Antibiotics are an excellent way to treat Lyme disease in animals, although relapses are not unusual as they age.
Canine parainfluenza is one of several viruses that can cause “kennel cough.” The respiratory system is the primary target of canine parainfluenza, which is highly contagious. Your pet can get it in kennels, dog parks, and other places where numerous dogs interact.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic illness that can be transmitted from animals to people. It is caused by a bacterium. It is more prevalent in areas with rivers, streams, and rainfall than in dry regions. Leptospirosis signs and symptoms include nausea, fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, lethargy, jaundice, and liver failure. Additionally, it may cause death, if untreated properly.
Vaccination Schedule for Cats and Dogs
The timeline for vaccinating your dog may vary depending on where you live. The recommended core vaccination regimen for pets from one year of age and older are listed below.
| Pet Age | Core Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | DAP (Distemper, Adenovirus, parvovirus) |
| 10-12 weeks | DAP |
| 16-18 weeks | DAP, 1-year Rabies |
| 12-16 months | DAP, 3-year Rabies |
| Every 3 years | DAP |
| Every 1-3 years | Rabies |
The Cost of Vaccinations
Cats’ and Dogs’ vaccination costs can vary based on several variables, including your location. A veterinarian in a big city could charge you more than a vet in a small town.
Vaccinations are crucial for maintaining your pet’s health. Age, medical history, environment, travel patterns, and way of life are some factors to consider. If you’re looking for a reliable Athens vet, make an appointment today to learn which vaccines you need for your cat or dog, how much it will cost, and to find out more information.
