You’re on a walk in the park together with your best friend. It sure is a perfect world, isn’t it?
Well…not quite, actually! Invisible to the naked eye, dangerous germs lurk everywhere and are easily transmitted directly from pet to pet.
Even if you think you can prevent your pet from engaging in this sort of contact, there are plenty of other possible paths of transmission via the environment. For example, your pets could become infected by these ever-present germs just by taking a leisurely swim in a pond.
The scary part? You won’t necessarily even notice it happening – just as you wouldn’t notice if a tick bites your dog or cat right away.
So…What Can You Do to Safeguard Your Pets?
Fortunately, there is a safe and reliable way of protecting your treasured pet from harmful infections…and yourself from the associated treatment costs: vaccination.
At the very beginning of their lives, puppies are immune to many diseases, thanks primarily to the maternal antibodies found in their mother’s milk.
However, once they are a few weeks old, they need additional protection. Vaccination supplies that protection by creating active immunity.
How Do Pet Vaccines Work?
Vaccines are usually given as injections and contain live or weakened bacteria and viruses (or parts of them).
Your pet’s body reacts to the vaccinations by producing specific immune cells and antibodies, enabling the immune system to recognize and find germs that may later invade as part of an infection.
However, in order to ensure protection, a single vaccination is not enough. In some cases, the first dose only primes the immune system without producing full immunity.
Also, remaining maternal immunity may neutralize the vaccine to some extent. One or two further shots given over the following few weeks of age usually solves both problems.
During the later lifetime of your pet, the intensity of the immune response induced by the vaccination may decrease in order to maintain a high level of protection against infection and disease.
Regular booster doses should be given by sticking rigorously to such a vaccination plan. You will not only protect your own pet, but by reducing the overall risk of infection, you will also contribute to the protection of those that have not yet been vaccinated.
Where to Start with Vaccinations?
We hope you feel better informed about vaccinations and why they’re so important for your pets. This essential protection helps safeguard the essential bond that you and your four-legged friends share.
If you have additional questions regarding your pet’s health, feel free to contact Delavan Lakes Vet Clinic for more information.