One of the best ways to protect your pet against infectious diseases is through vaccinations. If you’re not sure what kind of vaccinations your pet needs, these FAQs from Sunshine Animal Hospital can help. Learning more about vaccines will enable you to make wise decisions concerning the care of your pet.
What are vaccines?
Vaccines are health products designed to protect pets from contagious diseases. Vaccines trigger your pet’s immune system to fight against infections that can compromise his health. Some vaccines reduce the severity of a disease’s symptoms, while others prevent your pet from contracting the disease altogether.
Why are vaccinations important?
Vaccines protect your pet from contagious diseases and help prevent their spread. Some diseases, like rabies, have no cure. Vaccinating your pet against these deadly diseases can extend his lifespan. It also protects you and your family from contracting a disease from your pet.
What vaccines does my pet need?
Pet vaccines can be divided into two categories: core and noncore. Core vaccines are those that are essential to your pet’s health as they protect him from life threatening diseases. For dogs, core vaccines include rabies, distemper, canine hepatitis, and parvovirus. For cats, core vaccines are rabies, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus and feline panleukopenia.
Noncore vaccines can be given at your vet’s discretion according to your pet’s lifestyle.
How does my pet's lifestyle affect his vaccinations?
Indoor pets will have less exposure to diseases than pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Your geographic location will also affect your pet’s risk of contracting an infectious disease as some diseases are more prevalent in certain areas than in others.
We recommend core vaccinations for all pets, regardless of their lifestyle. Core vaccines protect your pet against diseases that can lead to death. They also protect people from getting these diseases from their pet.
How often should my pet be vaccinated?
Our vet will customize a vaccination schedule for your pet. We’ll conduct a pet exam and review his medical history to get a better idea of his state of health. We'll also consider your pet's age, breed, and lifestyle when creating a vaccination schedule to meet his protection needs.
Should I see a vet near me for pet vaccinations?
Working with your local vet in Superior, CO will make it easier for you to stay on top of your pet's vaccinations. To save time, your vet may vaccinate your pet during his pet exam or after some other veterinary treatment. To learn more about pet vaccinations or to meet with your “vet near me,” contact Sunshine Animal Hospital at 303-499-0199.