Vaccinations are important!
Generally, we vaccinate animals to protect them from life-threatening diseases. However, animal vaccinations also protect the people who are in contact with them. For example, in some countries where there are no mandatory vaccine protocols, there are high numbers of cases of rabies and leptospirosis. Such diseases exist in animals and humans and are called zoonotic diseases. In contrast, countries with adequate vaccination protocols are nearly free from these diseases.
Every year we see very sick dogs and cats due to infectious disease. I still have nightmares of that day when I had to euthanize a litter of puppies and their one-year-old mum as they were dying in pain from canine parvovirus. The mum had not been vaccinated and so they all caught this lethal and infectious disease. It is useful to know that vaccines are not 100% effective, but they do help decrease the chances of getting sick drastically.
UK vaccination protocol:
Cat vaccinations include feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia virus, chlamydophila felis, recombinant vectored feline, leukaemia virus, and the rabies virus (if travelling abroad).
In cats, the first vaccine should be given from the age of nine weeks and the second vaccine three weeks later. The protocol recommends yearly boosters starting with the first year being a full vaccination including all the above. Subsequently, the protocol recommends that the leukaemia vaccine is administered yearly, while the other disease vaccines are given every third year.
Dog vaccinations include canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirosis, canine parainfluenza virus, leptospirosis vaccine, and similarly to cats, the rabies virus vaccine if travelling abroad.
In dogs, the first vaccine should be given at the age of eight weeks old and the second vaccine two to four weeks later. The protocol then recommends yearly boosters with the first year being a full vaccination including all the diseases mentioned above. After that, the leptospirosis vaccine is suggested yearly while the others are given every third year.
Don’t worry if you miss the exact date of your booster as you can be six months overdue quite safely. If you are more than six months over the due date, the protocol recommends that you restart the vaccinations. However, make sure you are on time for your second vaccines, if you miss a day you might need to restart the full protocol again.
In order for your puppy or kitten to meet the world safely they must be fully vaccinated. If you miss the second vaccine date, the vaccine might not work effectively so you would need to vaccinate your pet an extra time. Over-vaccination can lead to dangerous chronic diseases which can be avoided by keeping to the vaccination schedule. Vaccinations are important, but we want to do it safely.
Have you ever wondered if it is necessary to vaccinate your dog or cat every year or restart vaccinations if they are six months overdue? Whilst I am sure this is debatable, we are as vets obligated to follow the vaccine’s manufacturer’s guidance based on their research. Since we only have this information available, it would be dangerous for us not to do so as we could be responsible for your pet’s disease (or death) if they catch an infection because we went against the manufacturer’s guidance.
There is a test called ‘Titre Antibody Test’ that could potentially tell you if your pet still has enough immunity against the above-mentioned infectious diseases at the time of their booster. I will talk about this more over the next lines.
Titre antibody test
Titre’s antibody test is a way of knowing if your dog or cat has enough immunity from their previous vaccine against a certain virus. It is becoming popular as an alternative to yearly boosters or restarting the vaccination protocols. Many researchers believe that testing for antibody status using a Titre test is better practice. In the real world, many dog owners are now requesting annual Titre testing when having their yearly check-ups or if they are overdue their vaccines, rather than heading straight for a booster or extra vaccines that may not be required.
Please note that vaccine testing does not replace the need for your pet to receive a thorough examination by a qualified vet at least once a year. Annual health checks are critically important for detecting, preventing, and treating any diseases or other conditions as early as possible. I have had animals diagnosed with early metabolic diseases such as hyperthyroidism or kidney disease at the time of their boosters. As their owner, you might not always be aware of small changes and so it is vital that a vet carries out the examination as we are trained to know what to ask and look for.
It is important to develop a strong immune system to be able to fight infectious diseases and even parasite infections. There is no doubt the best way to boost your pet’s immune system is by feeding them a natural diet and allowing them to do enough exercise. Check out my article Industrial vs Natural pet food to learn more.
Finally, I would say please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I am very happy to help you design an adequate diet for your animal that fits well with your lifestyle.
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