Importance of Vaccinating Your Pets

The Importance of Vaccinating Your Pets

Vaccinations provide a measure of immunity for your pets to protect them from dangerous diseases. All pets are at risk of communicable diseases, even indoor cats. Your kit can be exposed to diseases when boarding at a kennel, seeing a vet, or coming into contact with a visiting pet. By vaccinating your dog or cat, you reduce or eliminate the risk of contracting infectious diseases. At Pet Medical Center of Westerville, vaccinations, pet surgery, parasite control, and wellness exams are all part of our vet animal care program. Our veterinarian can vaccinate your pet during a routine exam.

Why Vaccinate Your Pet?

Vaccines protect your furry friend from infectious diseases like rabies and distemper, which can lead to premature death. All states require that you vaccinate your pet against rabies by law, and most boarding facilities require that a pet’s vaccinations be up to date before your pet’s stay.

In addition to protecting your pet’s health, vaccines prevent the spread of infectious diseases to people and other pets. Zoonotic diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals. Vaccinating your fur-baby can protect you, your family, and other pets as well.

Unfortunately, one-time vaccinations don’t protect your pet indefinitely. You need booster shots periodically to keep your pet protected long-term. Your Westerville, OH vet can create a vaccination schedule to meet your pet’s healthcare needs.

Types of Vaccines for Dogs and Cats

Pet vaccinations can be separated into core and non-core categories. Core vaccines protect against diseases that pose the greatest risk to your pet’s health and should be given to all pets. Non-core vaccines are optional and may be recommended by your vet if your pet’s location or lifestyle puts it at risk of a specific disease.

Rabies, distemper, canine parvovirus, and canine hepatitis are considered core vaccines for dogs.

Rabies, Panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline calicivirus, and feline herpesvirus are considered core vaccines for cats.

Contact Pet Medical Center of Westerville to Vaccinate Your Pet

To schedule vaccinations, surgery, or a routine exam at Pet Medical Center of Westerville, contact our veterinarian at 614-882-7700.