As pet owners, we want to do everything we can to protect our beloved four-legged family members. That’s why staying up-to-date with regular vaccinations is an essential part of your pet’s healthcare.
SHOULD I VACCINATE MY PET?
Many pet owners ask themselves if they should vaccinate their dogs or cats in the first place. Vaccinations help protect pets against disease, and without regular vaccinations, your pet could not only contract a deadly disease, but pass them on to other pets as well. If you don’t vaccinate your pet, you may end up spending hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, for treatments if your pet contracts a disease.
HOW SHOULD I VACCINATE MY PET?
Instead of asking yourself whether you should vaccinate, ask yourself how you should vaccinate your pet. Puppies and kittens require some core vaccines in the first few months of their lives, and regular annual vaccines into adulthood. Your vet will also be able to develop a vaccination plan for your pet based on your dog or cat’s lifestyle.
CORE & NON-CORE VACCINATIONS FOR DOGS
In Ontario, dogs should receive vaccines for:
- Rabies (required by law)
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Parvo virus
Other vaccines, though not core vaccines, include:
- Parainfluenza
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Corona virus
- Bordetella
- Giardia
CORE VACCINATIONS FOR CATS
Like dogs, cats also require certain core vaccinations. These include:
- Rabies (required by law)
- Panleukopenia
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline rhinotracheitis
Other, non-core vaccines include:
- Feline leukemia
- Ringworm
- Chlamydia
- Feline infectious peritonitis
- Bordatella
- FIV
- Giardia
Your veterinarian can tell you which vaccines may be recommended for your pet. Your vet will also recommend regular annual physical exams to ensure that your pet is healthy.
ARE VACCINATIONS SAFE?
Vaccines are the safest and most effective way to prevent your pet from contracting a deadly disease. Pets should only be vaccinated if they are healthy so that their immune system is able to respond to the vaccination effectively. Follow the vaccine schedule provided by your vet, as receiving a vaccination a few days late could put your pet at risk for disease.
At Close Vet Clinic in Kitchener, we can help you develop a vaccination plan that fits your pet’s lifestyle.