Vaccines for Pets

The development of vaccines has been one of the most crucial advancements for both pets and humans. Puppy vaccines and kitten vaccines can protect your new pets from many dangerous and sometimes otherwise untreatable diseases. When it comes to preventative care for your pets, vaccination ranks among the most important considerations. If you live in or near Fontana and are looking for a veterinarian near you, stop by Jurupa Hills Animal Hospital.

How Vaccines Work

The immune system found in the average person or pet is truly wondrous. It can fight off many different pathogens and safeguard the body from countless threats. However, the immune system must learn how to fight various microbes, and some viruses and other threats can cause harm so quickly that the immune system can’t launch an effective counterattack.

This is where vaccines come in. Vaccines use weakened or dead pathogens, or something similar, to train the immune system to fight the microbes. With puppy vaccines and kitten vaccines, your pet’s immune system will learn how to fight off dangerous pathogens like rabies. This way, should your pet be exposed, their odds of winning the battle will be much better.

Vaccines don’t provide complete immunity. However, they can improve the odds immensely. When it comes to pet safety, vaccines are one of the most effective measures a vet can implement.

Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines

When you talk with a veterinarian about vaccination, they’ll likely mention “core” and “non-core” vaccines. Core vaccines are shots every dog or cat should get. Perhaps the most well-known example is rabies. This disease is so dangerous that every eligible pet should receive the vaccine. In some cases, some core vaccines are even required by local authorities.

Non-core vaccines are recommended by a vet based on your pet’s lifestyle or other specific circumstances. For example, if you have a puppy you plan to take hiking, you should probably get him or her vaccinated against Lyme Disease since this disease is spread by ticks.

Meanwhile, if you're sending your cat to a boarding kennel, perhaps because you're going on vacation, it's a good idea to get him or her vaccinated against Chlamydia felis because it spreads quickly in multi-cat environments. A cat living by itself indoors likely won't need this non-core vaccine.

Pet Safety Concerns With Vaccinations

Most of the vaccines being given to pets these days have been thoroughly tested and administered to millions of animals with no evidence of substantial dangers. Complications can occur with essentially any medical procedure; however, vaccination is about as safe as it gets as far as preventative care is concerned, and the risk of complications is minimal.

Contact Jurupa Hills Animal Hospital in Fontana, CA

If you live in the vicinity of Fontana and are searching for a veterinarian near you, visit our team at Jurupa Hills Animal Hospital.