Vaccinations: Protecting the health of your pet, household, and community
Our veterinarian, Dr. Steven Davidson and associates, and the rest of our skilled and passionate team in midtown Toronto, Ontario, give your pets the “upper paw” in life with preventative services. No wellness-oriented programme at Upper Village Veterinary Hospital would be complete without vaccinations to protect against harmful diseases and keep your pet healthy and happy.
What are pet vaccines?
Not unlike vaccines for the human members of your household, these medical products are formulated to stimulate an immune response safely. This process, in turn, protects your dog or cat by strengthening their natural defences – the capacity to fight the pathogens (bacteria and viruses) responsible for potentially deadly diseases. As the immunization process triggers the production of antibodies, your pet can naturally defend against disease-causing “invaders.” So, your precious companion is also less likely to experience serious symptoms when infected in the future. Many vaccines also support long-lasting immunity, preventing specific types of infections or diseases in the first place. The benefits don’t stop there. You are doing your household, neighbours, and community a big favour. As a responsible pet owner, you are helping to contain the spread of contagious, even zoonotic diseases that may be spread from pet to pet or from pets to people.
How often do you need to vaccinate?
Young puppies and kittens do not have fully developed immune systems. So, a series of vaccines is needed to protect them from infectious diseases. The initial dose helps to “prime” your kitten’s or puppy’s immune system against threats, such as disease-causing viruses and bacteria. Periodically, “boosters” are administered to then build up antibodies. This shot schedule is essential to sustain immunity and protect against disease for the long-term health of your pet. Initially, puppies and kittens may get shots at three- to four-week intervals. Later on, they may be vaccinated every few years against certain pathogens/diseases. The frequency at which these vaccines are administered depends on factors ranging from the level of immunity to the duration of protection afforded by each dose of the specific vaccine product. It is also important to note that “when” and “what” vaccines are administered is also dependent on factors specific to your dog or cat, including “environmental” risks.
What vaccines will my pet need?
As noted, a healthy schedule of vaccines is tailored to your pet’s needs and characteristics. However, some essentials (“core vaccines”) are recommended for most pets. Your pet should be immunized against:
- Rabies
- Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza (or a “DAPP” combo vaccine)
- FPV (Feline Panleukopenia)
- FHV-1 (Feline Herpesvirus-1)
- FCV (Feline Calicivirus)
- Leptospirosis
In fact, by law, pet owners are required to have dogs and cats immunized against rabies, a very real threat to populations of companion animals, wildlife, and people. Dr. Davidson and associates are skilled at recommending appropriate vaccines, dosages, and timing of those shots to support the utmost protection of your pet from major health risks. Furthermore, your pet may have unique risk factors that require “non-core” vaccines. For instance, Feline Leukemia (FeLV) may be recommended depending on your cat’s lifestyle and risk exposure.
No matter the circumstances, it’s always important to stay proactive about your pet’s health. We encourage you to schedule your pet’s wellness visit today by contacting Upper Village Veterinary Hospital. Our midtown Toronto, ON team can be reached at (647) 560-9276. When you phone us, be sure to ask about our money-saving wellness plans. Paid in easy and affordable monthly installments, these plans cover things like required vaccinations and other services designed to protect your pet’s health, and they are suited to every pet at every life stage.
