The Importance of Vaccination
| Published: 7th February 2008 16:23 |
Dogs and cats can become seriously ill or die from infectious diseases that could have been prevented through annual vaccinations. These diseases are often highly contagious and still prevail in the UK.
Why Vaccinate Annually?
Many people believe that if they have their pet vaccinated when it is young, this will protect them for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately this is not the case. After each vaccination the immune level reaches a peak but then begins to decline. For some animals this happens sooner than others and it is different for each of the diseases we vaccinate against. After a year the level of immunity for some of these diseases is often no longer sufficient to protect your pet. Revaccination (or booster vaccinations) stimulates the immune system to protect your pet for another year. Without these yearly vaccinations your pet may be vulnerable to some of these diseases.
Dog Vaccines
The standard dog vaccine protects against five diseases:
- Canine Parvovirus - this causes bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. It is a serious condition that can be fatal in puppies
- Canine Distemper Virus - this could cause death or permanent brain damage
- Leptospirosis - causes fever, jaundice and kidney disease
- Canine Adenovirus - causes hepatitis and liver failure
- Parainfluenza Virus - one of the viruses causing upper repsiratory tract infections such as Kennel Cough
Other vaccines available include:
- Rabies - this is a requirement for and pets needing a PETS Passport for travelling abroad
- Kennel Cough - offers protection against Bordetella, another of the organisms causing Kennel Cough
Cat Vaccines
The standard cat vaccine includes:
- Feline Panleukopaenia Virus - causing Feline Infectious Enteritis, thankfully less common now but still seen causing bloody diarrhoea and death in kittens
- Feline Herpes and Calici Viruses - "Cat Flu" commonly seen. Can be fatal especially in young kittens
- Feline Leukaemia Virus - reported to be the biggest killer of cats in the UK apart from road traffic accidents. Spreads easily via blood and saliva (fighting, mutual grooming and sharing food bowls).
Cats travelling abroad will also need a Rabies vaccination.
Annekie Montgomery BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS is a veterinary surgeon at Boyatt Wood Veterinary Surgery. To make an appointment with Annekie or another member of the team, please contact the surgery on 023 8062 9050.
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