How important are vaccines for pets?

Vaccines are a vital part of good health, be it for humans or their pets. It is of utmost importance that one gets protected against the diseases whose cure has been found, as we all have been taught- ‘precaution is better than cure.’

Role of a Vaccine:

A vaccine is either a dead, treated or live diluted form of microbes that increase the immunity system of a body to give rise to certain cells called antibodies. These antibodies are well equipped to fight those microbes to protect the body from any ill- effect.

So, these vaccines are given to a human or an animal to give them the strength to fight off a foreign body to keep themselves safe from harm caused by them.

Dosage an Schedules:

Sometimes, a vaccine is required to be administered once and that is more than enough to prepare your dog against the microbe. But as it so happens, other times, the vaccine needs a booster shot so that the efficacy of the first one is amplified.

Make sure that when you take your pet to the veterinarian, you understand the doses well and good. Some places make it easier by providing you with a pet card that has all the details of every shot administered to your pet.

These vaccines are categorised broadly into core and non- core. Core, as the name suggests should be given to all animals. Non- core is administered when your pet is exclusively prescribed for it. Some of them are,

Core:

Parainfluenza
Feline/ Canine Parvovirus
Feline/ Canine Distemper
Hepatitis
Rabies
Leptospirosis
Adenovirus, type 1 &2

Non core:

Bordetella
Canine Influenza (dog flu)
Lyme vaccine

Risks Involved:
There is risk involved in everything we do and this is no different. Only that these risks are limited to side effects and acute pain. You should definitely make sure whether or not your pet is eligible for the vaccine and only when they have been given a green flag for it should you give them the vaccine.

If your pet has been cleared by the vet, you are good to go!