Vaccines are your pet’s greatest defense against infectious diseases. If you live in Rochester, MI or the surrounding communities, bring your cat or dog to Goodison Veterinary Center for the vaccinations he needs. These FAQs compiled by our Rochester, MI vet explain more about vaccines and the role they play in protecting your pet.
What are vaccines?
Vaccines are health products that protect your pet against disease. They work by stimulating your pet’s immune system to create antibodies to fight infectious diseases. Even indoor pets are at risk of exposure to disease from other pets or places you visit with your pet. Vaccines also protect humans from getting diseases from their pets.
How do vaccines work to protect my pet?
Some vaccines protect your pet from contracting infectious diseases. Other vaccines minimize the severity of diseases to prevent your pet from getting seriously ill. Either way, your pet is protected from sicknesses that can have devastating effects on his health and life.
What’s the difference between core and noncore vaccines?
Core vaccines are essential to all pets as they protect them against high-risk, life-threatening diseases. For dogs, core vaccines include rabies, distemper, parvo, parainfluenza, and canine adenovirus. For cats, core vaccines include rabies, feline distemper, herpes, calicivirus, chlamydia, and feline leukemia.
Non-core vaccines cover diseases your pet may be at risk of getting due to his location or lifestyle. If, for example, you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent, you’ll want to vaccinate your pet against this illness. If your pooch attends doggie daycare, he’s at greater risk of contracting Bordetella, aka kennel cough, making it necessary to vaccinate him against this disease.
When should I vaccinate my pet?
Healthy puppies and kittens can start receiving vaccinations around six to eight weeks of age, after they’ve been weaned. Pets need a series of vaccines to keep them safe. After the first round, your pet will receive vaccines every two to four weeks until he’s 14 to 16 weeks old. From there, boosters will be administered every one to three years.
As pets differ in their level of immunity and health, our Rochester, MI vet will personalize a vaccination schedule for your cat or dog conducive to his age, breed, and health. Keeping your pet’s vaccines up to date will contribute to his living a longer, healthier life.
Our Rochester, MI Vet Is Here to Provide Your Pet’s Vaccinations
Vaccines are a practical and affordable means of protecting your pet from contagious diseases. By taking advantage of this protection, you do your part to keep your kit or pooch in good health. To schedule vaccinations for your pet, contact Goodison Veterinary Center in Rochester, MI at 248-650-5900 today.