The importance of immunizations

Your pet is a valued member of the family, and we understand that you want to do everything possible to make sure that you’ve got them properly cared for. After all, you buy the good treats, the comfortable harnesses, and the best toys. However, there is an important addition that you’re going to want to make room for when it comes to your pet’s proper care: immunizations.

The importance of immunizations

Immunizations are crucial for your pet’s overall health. Here are just some of the important details to keep in mind about your pet’s vaccinations:

●  Vaccines help protect your pet from viruses and bacteria: Viruses and bacteria for your pet are everywhere. Pets can easily catch, for example, canine distemper and canine parvovirus. Both are contagious and can be life-threatening without intense (and expensive) treatment.

●  Vaccines help make walks and interactions with other animals safer: If you love taking your pet to the dog park, or letting them roam around the hiking trails, visit a doggy daycare or boarding kennel, etc., vaccination helps keep your pet safer from disease from other pets who may not be vaccinated. For example, Bordetella, also known as Kennel Cough, is contagious in social settings for dogs. If you frequent grooming salons, boarding facilities, or other places where many dogs gather, this may be a vaccine your pet would benefit from. 

●  Vaccines help your pet live longer: Vaccines protect from diseases that can shorten their lives or lead to complications that will require treatment.

●  Zoonotic diseases can affect pets AND people: Rabies, for example, is zoonotic. It can be transmitted from one pet to another, and from that pet to you! Immunizations protect pets, which in turn prevents the disease from spreading to the human members of your family.

●  Vaccines offer peace of mind: Either for your overall comfort of knowing that your pet is safe and sound, or for more financial reasons, it is reassuring to know that you are doing everything you can to keep your pet safe and secure. That’s what being a responsible parent is all about, right?

There is no better time to schedule your pet’s wellness visit and vaccinations. No one ever wants to have to deal with the possibility of their pet becoming ill, or succumbing to a disease that is preventable. However, life without immunizations often means that it could very well be a heartbreaking situation for even the most loving pet parents if vaccinations are absent from their care.

Please use this as a reminder to make sure that your pets are up to date on their most important vaccinations before you head out for that beautiful walk to Jay Cooke State Park or anywhere along the North Shore. If you aren’t sure which vaccinations you should be prioritizing for your pet, or when to get them renewed, then call us at Cloquet Animal Hospital to schedule your appointment.

SOURCES

https://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/1199-vaccination-tips-aaha

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