Vaccinating our pets

Adopting a new pet into your home comes with much responsibility. One key factor to consider, especially if you have other pets, is preventative care.

The rabies vaccination is the only vaccine that is required by law, but there are many other diseases that can potentially infect your pets such as distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, kennel cough, and feline leukemia. As a responsible pet owner, you should consider the overall health of your pet as well as the risk factors when deciding what vaccinations should be given.

Your dogs should receive core vaccines which protect against rabies, adenovirus, parvovirus, and distemper, which are found throughout North America. Non-core vaccines are not necessary but recommended by most veterinarians, as they protect against Lyme disease, kennel cough, and leptospirosis.

Many pet owners have concerns about the health risks associated with vaccinations, but the American Animal Hospital Association has released a set of vaccination guidelines to help minimize those risks. One option to consider is titer testing. A titer test measures the existence and levels of antibodies to specific diseases in the blood. This test allows owners who are concerned with over-vaccinating their pets to determine which diseases their pets are more susceptible to. Many veterinary clinics also offer combination vaccinations to minimize the amount of vaccines your pet receives.

Ultimately, it is important to talk with your local veterinarian when deciding how best to maintain a long, healthy life for your beloved pet.