When you decide to own a pet, you should expect to take a few preventative measures to keep your furry friend happy and healthy for years to come. Taking care of a pet requires you to keep up-to-date with all of the needed vaccinations against serious and often deadly diseases. At Morgan Pet Clinic in West Omaha, our veterinarians provide the best veterinary services, including vaccinations, grooming, injury treatments, and more.
What are Pet Vaccinations?
These are vaccines that boost the protective immune reactions and prepare your pet to counter future infections. The vaccines may not entirely stop a disease in its tracks before it reaches the body, but they can reduce the severity and effects of the disease. All cats and dogs have a list of must-have vaccinations that are required throughout their lives.
The Importance of Vaccinating Your Pet
Many diseases have serious effects on cats and dogs and may even lead to death. Dangerous animal disease outbreaks can sweep over an area, weakening and even killing some animals. Having a veterinarian administer all of the necessary vaccinations on time is the best way to keep your pet safe from a variety of diseases.
Protection
There are very few cases where the pet fails to develop adequate protection against a specific disease after being vaccinated. Vaccinations are a crucial part of your pet’s preventive healthcare.
The Risks Involved
Like many medical procedures, vaccinations are associated with a few risks. Most of them are mild and short-term that may cause a bit of discomfort for your pet. These risks include:
- Discomfort and swelling at the vaccination spot
- Sneezing and mild coughing
- Fever
- Reduced appetite
- Sluggishness
Most of these side effects wear off within one or two days. Our veterinarians will discuss these effects with the pet owner and provide advice on keeping their pet comfortable after the vaccinations.
Animals Require a Series of Vaccinations
Puppies and kittens are usually at the highest risk of contracting diseases from the environment, people, other animals, and other sources. As they consume less milk from the mother, the immunity the milk provides gradually wears off. For this reason, they require a series of vaccinations for the first few months to boost their protection. The vaccinations are mainly 3-4 weeks apart, with the last one coming at 12-16 weeks. Full-grown pets also require vaccinations against diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, and several others.
Book Your Pet’s Vaccination Appointment Today!
If it has been a while since your pet has been vaccinated or you have recently gotten a pet and are unaware of their vaccination history, our team at Morgan Pet Clinic in West Omaha is here to help. Call us today at (402) 895-1001 to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians.