Why Keep Pet Vaccinations Updated?
Pet vaccinations are a smart, low-risk, low-cost way to protect your pet from some potentially fatal diseases. Here at Dessau Veterinary Clinic in Austin, we talk with pet owners about their pet’s vaccination schedule during each wellness checkup to make sure all core vaccines are up-to-date. Keep in mind, however, that there are other non-core vaccinations that pets may need if they are frequent travelers, boarders, dog-park frequenters, etc. If you have any questions about your pet’s vaccinations, please call us at 512-721-0016.
Three Reasons to Check Your Pet’s Vaccination Records
Pet vaccinations are important for many reasons, but these are the biggest three:
Your Pet—The diseases that core pet vaccinations provide immunity for are highly contagious, extremely painful and often deadly. Nobody wants to see their beloved pet struggle and suffer with a completely preventable illness like rabies or distemper or when a simple, quick injection is all it takes to keep your pet safe. The risks of side effects are low and the benefits of immunity are huge. Also, if you are tempted to skip vaccinations because of the cost, consider the investment in your pet’s health and how costly it could be without it.
Your Family—Some of the illnesses these vaccinations protect your pet against can also protect your family. Consider that several animal diseases like rabies can and do easily jump between species, often with painful, tragic results.
The Community—If everyone kept their pets vaccinated, there would be fewer cases of these diseases (since they spread so easily). Consider rabies, for example: rabies shots became the law across the country and since that time, the incidence of deadly rabies cases has plummeted. Cases are still out there because the virus lives on in the wild, but cases of pet and human deaths from diseases like this are reduced across the community when responsible pet owners make sure their pets are vaccinated.
What questions or concerns do you have about pet vaccinations? Let us know below and we can answer your questions!