Thanks to Dr. Google, Tik Tok, and a myriad of internet “experts,” there is a lot of inaccurate, conflicting, and misleading information available today. Make no bones about it – vaccines are the BEST way to prevent disease in your pets.
Vaccines are an effective, safe, and cost-effective way to protect your pet(s) from a variety of harmful conditions. Some of the most important reasons you should vaccinate your pet(s) are:
An Ounce of Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
It is more cost-effective to prevent disease than it is to treat. For example, if you think vaccines are costly, consider treatment for parvovirus. It can cost between $1000-$3000 to treat Parvo1 versus $39 every three years (after initial loading doses) for the vaccine.
Vaccines are even preferred for older pets. The older the pet, the more likely they are to develop medical issues due to an aging immune system. Vaccines give them a boost of protection to keep them safe even as they age.
Zoonot?!?!?
Zoonotic diseases are those that can pass between animals and humans. The most common zoonotic disease is rabies. Leptospirosis is another zoonotic disease that can be fatal for humans and pets alike. Certain contagions can live for days, months, and (on rare occasions) years on surfaces without proper cleaning. Vaccinating your pet provides protection for your family as well as your pet.
Whether your pet spends most of their time indoors or out, vaccines are necessary. Pets escape, other pets visit, your pet may travel with you, and ticks travel indoors. In the case of zoonotic disease, the risk to you and your family is greater with indoor pets due to close contact.
Herd Mentality
Rabies, parvo, and distemper can be deadly for your pet, and they are all highly contagious to other animals. Vaccinating your pet helps to protect pets in the community that are homeless or cannot get vaccinations due to health reasons. This is called “herd-immunity” and is another component of disease control and prevention. The higher percentage of vaccinated pets in a community, the less prevalence of disease.
Following the Herd
- Traveling with your pet? Most airlines and some hotels require proof of vaccination
- Taking your pet to daycare? Almost all boarding facilities require proof of vaccination
- Looking to add a new pet to your family? Many rescue organizations will require existing pets to be up to date on vaccinations
The benefits of vaccines far outweigh any risks. Vaccines have excellent safety records. (The rate of adverse reactions has declined by half over the last 15 years2.) If you have concerns, or if your pet has specific health conditions, talk with your veterinarian before starting vaccines.
If your pet is overdue for their vaccinations or shows signs of ill-health, contact Fox Run Animal Hospital today. Our mission statement is: YOUR PET’S HEALTH IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.
3390 S. Lapeer Road, Metamora, MI 48455
(810) 678-8738
References:
- Emergency Vets USA. How to Treat Parvo in Dogs. https://emergencyvetsusa.com/how-to-treat-parvovirus-in-dogs/. Accessed April 2, 2023.
- Banfield Pet Hospital Exchange. Vaccine-Associated Adverse Events in Dogs are Far Less Common Today. https://www.banfieldexchange.com/News/Vaccine-associated-adverse-events. Accessed April 2, 2023.