You, being a responsible pet owner, will want to provide your beloved pet with the very best life that they are capable of. One of your most important decisions will be ensuring that your dog receives proper vaccinations. While some pet owners have had doubts about puppy vaccinations, science leaves little to no question: vaccinating your dog is one of the most effective methods that there are of protecting your dog’s health and wellbeing.
Dogs’ vaccinations have saved various numbers from severe illness and death down through history. Vaccines teach your dog’s immune system to learn and neutralise certain diseases before they can have their damaging effects upon them. It will better prepare you for decisions that are informed about your pet’s healthcare once you understand why vaccinations are necessary.
1. Safety From Fatal Illnesses
Vaccines will protect your dog from life-threatening diseases that were once regularly fatal. Parvovirus, distemper, and rabies are just some of the diseases disastrous when your dog lacks protection. Parvovirus, for one, invades a dog’s intestine and can kill within days, more so when it attacks puppies. The parvovirus vaccine, however, carries strong protection that will deter this lethal virus.
Distemper impacts several body systems, including the nervous, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems. Distemper survivors also develop permanent nervous system dysfunction. Rabies also engenders fear because it’s almost always fatal once symptoms are present. Your veterinarian’s rabies injection does not immunise your dog; it’s your dog’s only protection against a communicable illness that’s incurable.
Core vaccines are administered for your highest threats for your dog, and non-core vaccines are recommended and administered based on your dog’s lifestyle and threat assessment. Your vet will recommend which are ideal for your unique situation.
2. Community Health and Prevention of Outbreaks
By getting your dog vaccinated, you are helping towards communal protection that extends to all of your pet public. It’s grounded on a principle called herd immunity that succeeds when an overwhelming majority of dogs are vaccinated, thus, it’s much more difficult for diseases to spread.
Unvaccinated dogs not only expose themselves, but they also become carriers of diseases that are threatening other pets, especially those that themselves cannot be vaccinated because of their age or their physical condition. Puppies under 16 weeks and dogs that have immunosuppressed systems are dependent upon protection that exists in the wider community of dogs.
Dog parks, groomers, boarding facilities, and vet offices all become breeding grounds for communicable diseases when vaccination rates are low. Keeping your canine’s vaccinations up to date helps to keep that protective barrier in place that makes communal facilities available to everyone.
3. Required Laws and Travelling
Many Australian states and all territories have their legislating certain dog vaccinations obligatory, most commonly rabies where it’s an issue. Registration by councils most frequently requires proof of current vaccinations. Disregard for them leads to fines and law breaches.
Unless your trip will entail neither international travel nor travel domestically, your dog’s history of vaccinations will likely be requested. Pet-friendly resorts, pet sites, and even your airline will ask for vaccination certificates. Some regions have quarantine methods that are abolished or reduced when proper vaccination certificates are shown.
Speciality services, such as training, grooming, and dog daycare, will frequently demand current vaccinations. You will most likely have your dog rejected if they are not current in their vaccinations.
Getting Your Favourite Sidekick’s Future Protected
Once your dog has received their vaccinations, it’s one of the easy yet effective ways of ensuring they enjoy a long, healthy life. Prevention of fatal diseases, contribution to public health, and being a law-abiding citizen all mean vaccination falls under responsible pet ownership.
Schedule a consultation with your vet to discuss your dog’s vaccination needs. Your vet will develop a customised program of vaccination that will provide your dog with optimal protection based on your dog’s age, current physical status, and lifestyle. Your family pet deserves nothing but the best protection that they possibly can have.
