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August is National Pet Immunization Awareness Month, which reminds pet owners to check in on their pets’ health and vaccination records. Vaccinations protect your pets from disease, illness, and parasites and help them live a happy, healthy life. Contact your veterinarian today to make an appointment to discuss your pet’s vaccination needs.
How Vaccinations Protect Pets
The pre-exposure immunization process, which involves the use of vaccinations, protects pets from diseases like rabies, parvovirus, and distemper. Vaccinations expose your pet’s immune system to an inactive strain of an infectious agent. This helps their immune systems build cells that respond efficiently and effectively to real diseases. The core vaccinations your veterinarian administers to your pet will manage his health and give him the best chance for fighting off disease. Your veterinarian will recommend necessary vaccinations depending on your pet’s age, weight, medical history, lifestyle, and exposure risk.
What are the Core Vaccinations for Cats & Dogs?
Core vaccinations for dogs include parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and rabies. Core vaccinations for cats include feline distemper, feline calicivirus, herpesvirus type I, and rabies. Your veterinarian may recommend additional vaccinations for pets based on their level of risk or exposure. For dogs, this might include bordetella, borrelia, or leptospirosis. For cats, this may include leukemia virus, bordetella, Chlamydophila, and FIV.
Other Considerations for Summer Protection
In addition to vaccinations, your pets may need additional protection from summer pests like parasites. Parasites can carry disease, cause infection, and damage your pet’s blood and organs. Your veterinarian can assess your pet’s risk of parasite exposure and provide monthly preventive medication for:
- Heartworm
- Hookworms
- Roundworms
- Whipworms
- Tapeworms
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Mites
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian today to determine if your pet is up to date on his vaccinations. Your veterinarian may recommend booster shots or monthly preventive medications to protect against parasites.