Having a healthy and well-groomed pet is what all guardians want, and for that, it is very important to have the animal’s vaccination card up to date.
All animals must receive vaccines during each stage of their life, so we prepared this post to address this fundamental topic. Throughout the content, you will learn about the main vaccines for pets, when they should be taken and why they are so important. Check out.
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HOW IMPORTANT ARE PET VACCINES?
Vaccines are very important, as they immunize pets and mainly prevent viral and some bacterial diseases, such as leptospirosis and bordetella bronchiseptica
In the past, many dogs and cats died from diseases such as rabies, hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, panleukopenia, feline respiratory complex, among others. Despite this, as much as vaccines only offer benefits to animals, there are still people who do not believe in their effectiveness and fail to vaccinate their pets out of fear, which can be very dangerous.
The first vaccines that the animal should take as a puppy, for example, are immunizers against bacteria that can cause the death of the pet. In any case, talk to your pet’s veterinarian, as this professional will know exactly what your pet needs and when he can receive vaccines if he has any health problems.
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MAIN VACCINES FOR PETS
Discover the most common vaccines for dogs and cats below.
VACCINES FOR DOGS
There are many important vaccinations for dogs that must be administered annually. They are:
1. ANTI-RABIES
The anti-rabies vaccine is one of the most important for dogs, as rabies is a serious disease and causes excessive salivation, aggression and lack of motor coordination. It can also cause the death of both the animal and the human being.
The anti-rabies vaccine should be given to the dog usually from 12 weeks of age and has a single dose that should be reinforced once a year. Remembering that this is a mandatory immunization for animals.
2. POLYVALENT OR MULTIPLE VACCINE
The polyvalent vaccine immunizes the dog against bacteria and viruses such as: parvovirus, coronavirus, some types of leptospirosis, distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and canine infectious hepatitis.
This immunization must be applied to the puppy in the first 6-8 weeks of life and then must be reinforced annually.
3. DOG FLU
Did you know that dogs also get the flu? Yes, the canine flu is a tracheobronchitis that causes cough, fever, runny nose, sneezing, loss of appetite and other symptoms, so it must be treated at the beginning, otherwise, there may be a worsening in your pet’s health and he might have pneumonia.
Therefore, in order for this incident to be avoided, always try to reinforce your pet’s vaccine annually. The first dose can be given to the puppy at an average of 8 weeks.
4. VACCINE FOR GIARDIASIS
Giardiasis is a virus caused by a protozoan that causes changes in the digestive system and has symptoms such as: diarrhea with or without blood, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and gas.
Therefore, the vaccine is a very important immunization, as this disease can lead the puppy to die due to dehydration. The vaccine can be administered from 8 weeks and then you should receive some booster doses.
5. LEISHMANIASIS
This disease is caused by the bite of the sand fly and has consequences for the health of the animal, as it can affect the organs. Its symptoms are: skin peeling and lesions, in addition to eye problems.
There is a specific vaccine for the disease, however, it has doubtful effectiveness and is only used in very specific cases, according to the veterinarian’s indication.
6. FILARIASIS
Filariasis, also known as canine heartworm, is caused by the worm dirofilaria immitis and can cause severe complications to the animal, which can be fatal if not treated.
The vaccine that prevents the disease is called ProHeart and is indicated from 9 months, with annual validity.
VACCINES FOR CATS
Vaccinations are also crucial for cats. See below the main vaccines that your kitten should take .
1. PANLEUCOPENIA
Panleukopenia is transmitted to the cat through contact with other sick animals or infected objects. The most common symptoms are: vomiting, fever, prostration, diarrhea and lack of appetite. To avoid it, the vaccine can be given to the animal from 45 days of life.
2. ANGER
Just like in dogs, rabies causes changes in the cat’s neurological system and has no cure, so the only way to prevent it is through the vaccine.
The disease also causes aggression in the animal and is fatal. The cat can receive the dose from 4 months of age and must be reinforced annually.
3. FELINE LEUKEMIA (FELV)
Feline leukemia is caused by the Feline leukemia virus and its main symptom is the weakening of the animal’s immune system, which results in many consequences for the cat. The vaccine can be administered from 40 to 60 days of life.
4. FELINE RESPIRATORY COMPLEX
This is an infectious disease with high contagion. Its symptoms are respiratory and, for this reason, it is very important to vaccinate your kitten as soon as possible. The vaccine can be applied in the first weeks of life, after which the cat will need to receive some booster doses.
