Don't Forget to Vaccinate Your Pets This Year

As we step into a new year, it’s crucial to keep your pets’ vaccination schedules in mind to ensure their health and safety. Vaccinations play a vital role in protecting your pets from various diseases, reducing the risk of serious illness, or even death. Life can get hectic, but at Acacia Pet Hospital, we remind you not to overlook the essential care that vaccinations provide for your dog, cat, or ferret.

How Vaccines Work

Vaccines boost your pet’s immune system by enabling it to recognize and destroy harmful germs that cause diseases. When vaccinated, your pet’s immune system produces antibodies targeted against specific viruses or bacteria, preventing these pathogens from causing illness.

The Importance of Vaccinations

• Prevents Severe Illnesses: Vaccinations protect against life-threatening diseases such as rabies and distemper. These diseases can leave pets with severe, lifelong health issues even if they survive the initial illness.
• Access to Pet Services: Many pet services, like boarding and grooming, require up-to-date vaccination records. Similarly, local laws might mandate certain vaccines, such as the rabies vaccine.
• Controls Disease Spread: Vaccinations reduce the chance of disease outbreaks. Pets can spread diseases before showing any symptoms, so vaccinations are crucial for community health.
• Protects Vulnerable Pets: Young and elderly pets with weaker immune systems benefit greatly from vaccinations, protecting them from potentially fatal illnesses.
• Cost-Effective: Preventing diseases through vaccination is far less costly than treating diseases after they occur, saving you from hefty veterinary bills.

Following the Recommended Vaccination Schedule

Vaccines are not a one-time procedure. They require booster shots as the initial vaccine’s effectiveness can wane. Dogs and cats typically need a rabies vaccine every one to three years, as mandated by state laws. The rabies vaccine is crucial since rabies is almost always fatal and can be transmitted to both animals and humans.

Notably, cats are often diagnosed with rabies more frequently than dogs, possibly due to lower vaccination rates and higher exposure risks outdoors, according to the American Medical Veterinary Association (AMVA).

Other core vaccines for pets include:

• Dogs: Canine hepatitis, parvovirus
• Cats: Calicivirus, feline herpesvirus

Depending on your pet’s lifestyle and the local prevalence of certain diseases, our doctors at Acacia Pet Hospital may also recommend non-core vaccinations like Lyme disease, leptospirosis, parainfluenza (for dogs), and feline leukemia (for cats).

Is Your Pet Due for Vaccinations?

If you’re unsure about your pet’s vaccination status or it’s time for a booster, consult our doctors at Acacia Pet Hospital. Keeping your pet vaccinated is a key part of responsible pet ownership and ensures your furry friend remains happy and healthy.

For further assistance or any questions, feel free to call us at Acacia Pet Hospital, (408) 264-6354, 4486 Pearl Ave, San Jose, CA 95136, 

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or visit us online.