Vaccinations are important for pets because they help protect them from various diseases that can be dangerous or even fatal. Just like humans, animals are susceptible to certain infectious diseases, and vaccines are designed to stimulate their immune system to recognise and defend against these diseases.
Here are a few reasons why vaccinations are crucial for pets:
- Disease prevention: Vaccines are formulated to provide immunity against specific diseases, such as rabies, parvovirus, distemper, feline leukaemia, and more. These diseases can be widespread, highly contagious, and pose significant health risks to animals. Vaccinations can help prevent pets from contracting these diseases or reduce the severity of symptoms if they do become infected.
- Public health: Some diseases that affect animals can also be transmitted to humans, posing a risk to public health. For example, rabies is a well-known viral disease that can be transmitted to people through a bite from an animal infected with the virus. Vaccinating pets against rabies protects them from contracting the disease and also helps prevent the disease being spread to humans and other animals.
- Reduced healthcare costs: Preventive healthcare, including vaccinations, is generally more cost-effective than treating diseases after they occur. Vaccinations help reduce the risk of expensive medical treatments, hospitalisation, and potential long-term complications that can arise from preventable diseases.
- Community immunity: Vaccinating pets not only protects individual animals but also contributes to community immunity, also known as herd immunity. When a large proportion of the pet population is vaccinated, the likelihood of an outbreak decreases, providing indirect protection to vulnerable animals that cannot be vaccinated, such as very young or immunocompromised pets.
It’s important to consult with us at Swan Street Vet so that we can provide guidance on the appropriate vaccination schedule and which vaccines are necessary based on your pet’s species, age, lifestyle, and geographic location. Regular vaccinations and boosters are recommended at your pet’s annual check-up to maintain optimal protection throughout their life.
It is strongly advised that all outdoor cats receive vaccinations against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
To schedule a vaccination appointment for your pet, please contact Swan Street Vet today at (03) 9111 0000.