Let’s hear it for the vaccines! The month of August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Just like with us humans, it is very important to keep your pets up to date on their vaccinations. One of the greatest forms of protection against the many illnesses your pet can get is by vaccinating them. Deciding on which vaccines your pet needs can vary based on medical history, age, breed, lifestyle, and travel habits. Also, some states and cities require specific vaccinations by law I.E. Rabies. Let’s take a deeper look at what vaccines are and why they are important! 

What Is a Vaccine? 

In the late 1800s, scientists began creating vaccines specifically to protect working animals from disease. According to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), vaccines are health products that trigger protective immune responses in pets and prepare them to fight future infections from harmful, disease-causing agents. Vaccines can lessen the severity of future diseases and certain vaccines can prevent infection altogether. Typical vaccinations are usually administered as an injection, although some vaccines can be given through an oral or nasal spray. 

What Are Some Common Animal Vaccines? 

Let’s face it – we have all heard some of the crazy vaccine names when we’re at the vet. No matter how outlandish the vaccine may sound, it helps keep our pets healthy and strong on many different levels. Here is a list of common vaccines that you may have heard of. 

Canine Immunizations:

• Rabies
• DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Para-Influenza, Parvovirus)
• Leptospirosis
• Bordetella
• Influenza
• Lyme  

Feline Immunizations: 

• Rabies
• FVRCP (Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia)
• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)
• Feline Bordetella 

Let’s Get Down to the Dirty – What Are Some Common Vaccine Myths? With how prevalent social media and the internet are in our society, it is extremely common to find false pet information that may seem true. We’re here to help debunk some of those false claims you may have seen! 

My pet doesn’t go outside so they don’t need a vaccine.

It is a common misconception that animals who never leave the house don’t need vaccinations. Your indoor animal is still likely to have some interaction with the outside world during its lifetime.  

Vaccine procedures are the same for all dogs & cats.

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to which vaccines are necessary for the health of dogs and cats. It all has to do with what your pet is exposed to, and therefore, their lifestyle. 

Giving my pet vaccines from a store is just as good as a veterinarian administering them.

Sometimes, vaccines are available for purchase through pet or feed stores. These and veterinarian-administered vaccines do face the same strict regulations from the USDA and other organizations. However, human error and lack of experience introduce uncontrollable risk factors in a home environment. If a vaccine is not stored or administered properly, it could be rendered ineffective. 

Small pets receive fewer vaccines.  

All dogs, big and small, have the same size immune system! However, it is common for smaller dogs to have more reactions when multiple vaccines are administered. 

My pet does not need a Bordetella vaccine if they never board.

Bordetella actually goes beyond the fact of if a pet is boarding or not. Bordetella is often referred to as “kennel cough” and the truth is that it is an upper respiratory disease found EVERYWHERE, not just in kennel environments. 

The distemper vaccine has to do with my pet’s personality

Canine Distemper has NOTHING at all to do with a dog’s behavior or temperament. The vaccine protects against four deadly diseases, one of them including one called distemper. 

It is important to always get your pet’s vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian. It may be tempting to purchase do-it-yourself vaccines but you never know if those vaccines may be damaged from being shipped or stored in non-refrigerated areas. When you get your pet vaccinated at Randall, you can rest assured your fur baby is getting quality and effective vaccines every time! Keep an eye out for our next blog coming September 1st!