JacarandaAnimalHospital Blog: Care For Pets Animal Hospital

Vaccines are an important part of modern society. Basically, the process is just done by injecting a “dead” version of a disease or an illness, making the immune system respond to the threat and develop the ability to counter it, fortifying it against the injected diseases, making it impervious. We have developed vaccines against diseases like smallpox and rinderpest, effectively ending their threat to humans (smallpox and rinderpest were eradicated in 1979 and 2011 respectively). Aside from human vaccination, did you know that there are also vaccines for pets? Currently, there are a lot of diseases that can hound your cat and dog, so be sure check with your veterinarian about it (or you could just keep on reading this entry).

There is still no cure better than an ounce of prevention., which is why vaccination should be on top of your priority list. Ideally, puppies and kittens should be immunized when they reach 6-8 weeks old. Boosters are then given 3-4 weeks apart. Having a vaccinated animal not only safeguards its health and welfare, but the process will also benefit those living with it, especially if it lives in a home with a family. For dogs (and probably cats), the must-immunize diseases are:

This disease attacks a dog's gastrointestinal tract, and is extremely contagious. It can be spread via the dog's feces, urine, contaminated food and water bowls and other things the canine has come in contact with. 

Hepatitis. 

This disease is not only exclusive to humans, but also to dogs. Canine hepatitis will cause your pooch to have eye and liver problems, as well as respiratory complications, since the virus makes it difficult for the animal to breathe. This can be transferred via an infected dog's urine, saliva and feces.

Rabies.

Probably the most well-known in this list, rabies attacks the dog's central nervous system and can be spread through bites by infected pets and wild animals. It can also infect humans, which makes it pretty scary. 

Distemper.

This is a fatal disease that attacks the dog's central nervous system. It can be transmitted from animal to animal via nasal fluid, urine, feces and saliva. Vomiting, diarrhea and pneumonia are part of the symptoms.

Kennel Cough. 

This disease will make your pet sound like an old-timer who has smoked cigarettes for over 50 years. A harsh, loud cough is the primary symptom of this disease and attacks the animal's bronchial tubes in the respiratory system, making it an effort to breathe. It can be caused by many factors, but the most common cause would be viruses which can be stopped via vaccines. This is the animal version of the flu or bronchitis.

Remember, it is never too late to immunize your pet, and you shouldn't be complacent either. No matter how clean your surroundings are and how healthy your pet is, disease may strike like an assassin in the dark night. Be safe, and vaccinate. It will benefit you, your pet, the people around you and of course, the bills and coins on your pocket.