Did you
know August is National Immunization Awareness Day? Deciding which immunizations
to give your pet is an important decision between pet-parent and Veterinarian.
Being knowledgeable about all vaccinations available and what diseases they are
designed to prevent is key to making an informed decision.
Most
veterinarians make a distinction between “core” and “non-core” vaccines in
accordance with the American Animal
Hospital Association’s vaccination guidelines. Vets
universally recommend core vaccines and administer them regularly. Non-core
vaccines are optional depending on certain factors that may impact your pet,
such lifestyle and location.
A Look at
Parvovirus / Panleukopenia
For dogs,
parvovirus is a major disease that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and white blood
cell destruction. The parvovirus vaccine is core and should be administered
between 6 and 16 weeks at various intervals, with boosters and revaccinations
occurring periodically, according to WebMD. Without the vaccine, parvovirus is
life-threatening for puppies and has a very high mortality rate. For cats, panleukopenia, the feline
form of parvovirus, is a major disease and vaccination should occur as early as
six weeks of age.
Because
vaccines stimulate a pet’s immune system to protect against future infections,
mild reactions such as soreness at the injection site, fever and allergic
reactions are common side effects. Contact your veterinarian immediately if
symptoms worsen or don’t dissipate with time. Ensure your pet is in optimum
health before receiving vaccines, by providing a high quality, nutrient-rich
diet of meats and vegetables, such as Evanger’s Grain Free Hand Packed Dinners for dogs or Super Premium Dinners for cats.
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