Talks of vaccination and its importance have gained traction in the last year for obvious reasons. As the world scrambles to get their covid vaccines and put this nightmare to bed, let us take a moment to ask ourselves if our little friends have been given the necessary vaccines to have a fighting chance against the myriad of diseases threatening them.
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What Are Pet Vaccines?
Vaccines are products specifically designed to trigger the production of antibodies by the immune system so that it is better equipped to fight disease-causing agents in your pets. With the vaccine-assisted protective immunogenic response, a pet’s overall quality of life improves.
Are Are There Negatives To Pet Vaccines?
The most common side effects of vaccines are mild and short-term, with any serious reactions being rare to null. Side effects include mild discomfort, temporary swelling of vaccination sites, mild fever, etc. Vaccination protects the pets and in some cases, the pet-owning community from potentially fatal diseases, and a vast majority of pets react positively to vaccines. As it stands, the benefits of pet vaccination far outweigh the risks that may come with it.
Now you may be asking “Okay vaccines are good but are they important for my pet?”. The answer is- It is extremely crucial and here is why.
Prevention and Immunity Boost
Without vaccination, most of the diseases that a pet can catch either turn out to be fatal or leave long-lasting health problems that take away from the joy of having a pet. It is important to boost pet immunity in a way of vaccination, same as for humans.
Getting a pet vaccination prevents pet illnesses or helps combat the severity of pet diseases, such as – Rabies, Canine Influenza, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Heartworm disease, and many others.
Cost-Effective In The Long Term
The long lasting health issues of a pet contracting a disease can leave the pet owner with hefty bills to tackle. Battling a pet disease is not easy emotionally, nor financially. Even just minor surgeries cost between 500 to a 1000 USD. So it is definitely a fiscally smarter choice to invest in pet vaccination as prescribed by veterinarians.
Pet Vaccinations Better Quality of Life
In the current world, veterinary progress is ensuring the longevity and health of your pets on a remarkable scale. Not only does vaccines prolong the life of your fur friends, but also ensures that their lifespans are healthy, happy and active. The quality of a pet’s life is defined by their mental and physical well being and it is arguably, related very closely with the overall well being of their humans, as well. A happy pet means a happier human.
Protection Against Animal to Human Transfer of Diseases
Sadly, humans can contact diseases (like Bartonella henselae, Blastomycosis, Histoplasmosis, etc.) from their pets. To avoid these threats altogether, vaccines are effective in serving as preventatives for such diseases, and protecting both, pet and owner. In many homes, a pet co exists with a baby. It then becomes of utmost importance to regulate the hygiene of the pet and update their vaccinations to protect the baby from threat of transfer via saliva or other contact with the pet animal.
Mandatory Vaccination Requirements For Certain Institutions
Household pet vaccinations are a requirement by local and state authorities, in many areas. Vaccination proof is mandatory for pet travel. Also in certain reputable kennels or shelters, it is compulsory to reproduce proof of updated vaccination of a pet, for them to be permitted in the institute.
If these reasons were not enough to change your mind about pet vaccination, consider the cases of rescue and adoption. Most of the pets of these variants were strays and diseased at the beginning of their lives. Vaccination, along with regular medicine and healthcare makes it possible for these animals to find a new lease of life and potentially bring boundless joy into their adoptive home. If it were not for vaccines, there would be very little hope for these rescues.
Moreover, it protects your pets from imminent danger of transfer from other feral animals that may be riddled with diseases themselves or acting as agents of transmission to others. Vaccinated pets are less susceptible to threats from exposed wounds and other interactions with feral or stray animals.
Conclusion – Are Pet Vaccines Really Necessary?
Not only is it important to vaccinate our pets, it is also important to keep updating on the vaccines they require, since older pets are more at risk of contracting a disease and require an immunogenic boost. Talk to your vets and monitor the needs of your pets since all pets are unique and deserve the best life. It is impossible to shield our little fur friends from every disease out there but vaccination is the very best option currently, to give them a chance at a prosperous and healthy life.
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