Pet Vaccinations: How They Protect Your Animals

Pet vaccinations are the foundation of wellness care, but not all animals require the same set of vaccines. Sometimes pet owners are surprised to learn that the recommended vaccines may change after they move to a new area. Understanding a bit about vaccinations will help you make the best decisions for your pet. Here are several reasons why vaccinations are such an important part of wellness care.

Advice from Our Veterinarian in Laguna Hills

A vaccine’s protective role is a core part of preventative pet care. Vaccinations prepare an animal’s immune system to fight off an organism that causes disease, according to our veterinarian in Laguna Hills. The antigen in a vaccine fools the animal’s immune system into thinking the organism is invading. If your pet is exposed to the illness, its immune system goes into attack mode.

No vaccine is 100 percent effective, but vaccinations lessen the severity of infection if one develops. They extend an animal’s life and stop some illnesses from spreading to humans.

Quashing Epidemics

Vaccines as preventative pet care can keep epidemics from starting. Even an innocent trip outdoors by a canine or a feline escape artist can result in picking up an infection. Among the most common are distemper, influenza and parvovirus for dogs and feline leukemia, distemper and calicivirus for cats.

Easier Socialization

Adoption organizations only place vaccinated cats and dogs for a reason. An unvaccinated pet can easily pass infection to other pets in the home during play. You might be looking for ways for your only cat or dog to interact with other pets. Vaccinations make it possible for social exchanges like play at the local dog park.

The Right Vaccines

Core vaccines are those essential for all animals of a particular species. The rabies vaccine is an example. Our Laguna Hills veterinarian will be happy to also recommend the appropriate non-core vaccinations for your pet. The choice depends on your pet’s age, breed, geographic area and lifestyle.

What questions do you have about pet vaccinations?