For snakes, fish and turtles, they don’t have to worry about taking vaccinations, but these medicines are important to ensure that diseases in pets, particularly of mammals like dogs, horses, pigs, and cats, are not being spread to other animals or human beings.  With famous diseases like rabies, vaccinations can help prevent the spread and give protection from agents such as bacteria and viruses.

Young animals, like babies, need booster shots to prevent them from getting infectious diseases that could cause serious illnesses and even death.  Normally with today’s medicine, animals that reach at least six months old are being vaccinated for them to be able to fight infections as they grow and develop their systems.  Of course, different animals are given their own specialized vaccinations, so it is to be expected that a puppy would be given its own vaccines than that of a pig’s. 

There are many reasons why vaccinations are important and should be taken as scheduled.  Vaccines are important in stimulating the immune system of the animal, which produces the antibodies that prevent diseases from easily infecting the body.  With a world filled with all sorts of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, not only will the animal’s health be affected, but that of the person’s as well.  So it is a must that pets receive vaccinations in order for both human and animal to live healthier and longer lives.  Vaccinations should be handled carefully though since it is dealing with the antibodies of the animal’s immune system, and therefore could cause side effects when being given to sick dogs or cats. 

In an article by Dr. Ernest Mochankana, the first form of antibodies for puppies and kittens are taken from the mother’s milk.  Once they reach six to eight months and are able to produce their own antibodies, puppies and kittens are now required to have their first vaccination and must take them again in the succeeding weeks.  They will take all the shots required until such time that the vaccinations will only come annually, which will keep the pet healthy and protected from diseases.  Puppies nowadays are usually being given a multivalent vaccine in which a combination vaccine is being given to prevent certain infections from the puppy.  An example would be the DHPPiL vaccine for dogs.  DHPPiL stands for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, para-influenza, and leptospirosis.

Pet owners are strongly advised to consult their veterinarians of their pets’ vaccination program in order to have an organized track of when and what are the vaccinations to be taken today and in the weeks to come.  If the program is followed diligently, the pet is ensured of a healthy and prolonged lifespan, so it is advisable to follow the schedule being provided by the veterinarian.  Some examples of the basic vaccinations in a typical program for dogs would include distemper, canine parvovirus, kennel cough, infectious hepatitis, and rabies.  For cats, vaccinations for feline enteritis, feline respiratory diseases and rabies are noted down and are scheduled as well.