A vital aspect of responsible animal care is vaccination; this is essential for your pet’s well being, and you should waste no time in booking a visit to the vet.  The recommended vaccinations vary depending on the type of animal, and if you have any questions or concerns please refer to your vet.

How important is vaccination?

Animals, like humans, are susceptible to illness and disease, and as such you must take the necessary action to help give them the best chance of prevention.  Some diseases can prove fatal, so it makes sense to give your pet an inoculation that could save his or her life.  It is also important to remember that animals age much faster than us, so regular health checks are a great idea.

Which diseases are a threat?

This will vary depending on the animal; a dog is at risk from multiple diseases such canine distemper, which attacks the gut, lungs and central nervous system, and hepatitis, which is often fatal.  Cats can succumb to feline calcivirus and feline rhinotracheitis, which can both cause your kitty considerable discomfort.  These unpleasant illnesses can be avoided simply through vaccination, and then you can be confident of having a permanently perky pet!

How long does it take for a vaccination to become effective?

You pet will need a booster vaccination, which follows the original jab.  This could vary depending on the type of vaccination, but is usually the case; check the details with your vet for more information.  Once the booster has been administered, there will be a period of time before the vaccine takes effect, and this could be anywhere between 7 and 14 days.

Are vaccinations expensive?

This depends on your definition of expensive; you are paying to provide your pet with sound protection against seriously debilitating and potentially fatal diseases.  You are also paying for a qualified professional to administer the protection in a safe and secure environment.  The cost itself will vary, but the reward is priceless.