Understanding Core Vaccinations for Your Pet's Health

Vaccinations play a pivotal role in maintaining your pet's health by protecting them from various infectious diseases. Core vaccines are those deemed essential for all pets due to the severity and widespread nature of the diseases they prevent. Understanding these vaccines and adhering to a proper vaccination schedule is crucial for your pet's well-being.

What Are Core Vaccinations?

Core vaccinations are those recommended for all pets, regardless of their lifestyle or environment, because they protect against diseases that are highly contagious and pose significant health risks. For dogs, these typically include vaccines against:

• Canine Distemper Virus (CDV): A severe disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
• Canine Adenovirus (CAV-1 and CAV-2): Causes infectious hepatitis and respiratory infections.
• Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2): A highly contagious virus leading to severe gastrointestinal illness.
• Rabies Virus: A fatal disease affecting the nervous system, transmissible to humans.

For cats, core vaccines generally protect against:

• Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV): Also known as feline distemper, it causes severe immune system suppression.
• Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1): Leads to respiratory infections.
• Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Another cause of respiratory infections.
• Rabies Virus: As in dogs, it's fatal and zoonotic.

Recommended Vaccination Schedules

Adhering to a proper vaccination schedule ensures your pet develops adequate immunity. General guidelines include:

• Puppies and Kittens:
  • Initial Vaccinations: Begin at 6-8 weeks of age.
  • Boosters: Administered every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
• Adult Dogs and Cats:
  • Booster Shots: Given 1 year after the initial series, then every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine and risk factors.

It's essential to consult with your veterinarian to establish a schedule tailored to your pet's specific needs.

Why Core Vaccinations Are Essential

Core vaccines protect against diseases that are not only life-threatening but also have no effective treatment. Vaccination helps in:

• Preventing Disease Spread: Reducing the transmission of contagious diseases.
• Protecting Public Health: Especially important for zoonotic diseases like rabies.
• Avoiding Costly Treatments: Preventing diseases is often more cost-effective than treating them.

Ensuring your pet receives core vaccinations is a fundamental aspect of responsible pet ownership. By doing so, you not only protect your beloved companion but also contribute to the overall health of the pet community.

Schedule an appointment with CityVAX today at (832) 281-0559 or visit one of our locations to discuss and update your pet's vaccination plan, ensuring they remain protected against common yet preventable diseases.