What you need to know about animal vaccination

Why vaccinate your pet?

The mechanism is the same as when vaccinating a person. Vaccination means the introduction of a dead or weakened "live" pathogen into the body in order to teach the immune system to recognize and respond quickly to disease.

Thanks to the vaccine, the pet develops immunity, and in the event of a meeting with a really dangerous infection, the animal either will not get sick at all, or the disease will pass in a mild form.

What happens if you refuse vaccination?

Then the owner and his pet will face serious restrictions.

Without vaccination, it is very dangerous for an animal to walk on the street, because the risk of catching diseases is high. from other animals - for example, the deadly carnivore plague, which is easily transmitted by contact.

In addition, the owner will not be able to take the pet on trips: unvaccinated animals are not allowed to travel to other countries and even on board the plane (for more details, see the website of a particular airline). An ordinary trip to the country will actually become a violation of the law: the fine for evading rabies vaccination in Russia is

Article 5.6. Evasion of registration and vaccination of dogs and cats GARANT system: http://base.garant.ru/388521/eb0783ce245049892bec3e505f617e1f/#ixzz6R82bGUSt from 2,000 to 3,000 rubles.

Certain diseases - in particular chlamydia- are transmitted during pregnancy to offspring, so the animal will not be allowed to breed. If your pet is purebred, you will also have to forget about participation in exhibitions - you cannot get to them without a corresponding mark in the animal's passport.

And if the animal does not leave the house, are vaccinations still needed?

Needed. In particular, a cat can contract the plague of carnivores or calicivirus from the clothes, shoes or hands of the owner, on which the infection "came" home. And the immunity of a pet that has not been "trained" with the vaccine simply cannot cope with the infection.

What vaccinations do cats and dogs need to get?

Cats must be vaccinated against calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, rabies and panleukopenia. Dogs - from the plague of carnivores, viral hepatitis, adenovirus infections, parvovirus enderitis, leptospirosis and rabies.

The first vaccination is carried out at 6-8 weeks. Most often, all the necessary vaccines are included in one preparation, so you can get by with one shot. In no case should this vaccine be skipped: in kittens and puppies the body is just forming, they are very susceptible to infections. The deaths of animals from viral diseases at an early age are much higher than among adult pets.

3-4 weeks after the first vaccination, when the animal is 2-3 months old, the procedure is repeated. As a rule, the pet is already given two injections: the same drug is administered as the first time, as well as the rabies vaccine. In some cases, the rabies vaccine may be included in the general vaccine.

Rabies immunity is developed within 21 days. It is important to remember that after being vaccinated against this terrible disease, the animal must spend at least two weeks on quarantine, so that a stable immunity can form and the required amount of antibodies for the immune answer.

The vaccination does not end there. The next vaccination is done a year after the first, and so every 12 months throughout the life of the animal. Do not forget about vaccinations of an elderly pet: like puppies with kittens, they are also at risk. Immunity decreases with age, and it is more difficult for animals to cope with infectious diseases.

Should rats, ferrets, rabbits and other animals be vaccinated?

Infectious diseases are certainly common in rodents, ferrets and rabbits. So, guinea pigs can be affected by microsporia. It can be avoided if the animal is vaccinated against dermatomycosis every year.

As for rabbits, they should be vaccinated against hemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis. This is especially important for young individuals that are difficult to treat.

If you decide to vaccinate a rodent, rabbit or ferret, it is best to contact a veterinarian who specializes in these species.

Are there side effects from vaccinations?

The following manifestations are possible:

• Allergic reactions. Perhaps the most dangerous of them is anaphylactic shock. Its common symptoms are sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, disorientation in space, convulsions and coma. The gums of the animal become pale, the limbs become cold, the heart rate increases, while the pulse weakens. In the area of ​​the muzzle, swelling can sometimes be observed. If you notice these signs, seek veterinary attention immediately.
• Local reactions. They develop at the injection site, usually as a slight swelling. In rare cases, local soreness, hyperthermia (the site of the injection becomes swollen and hot), or edema appear. This usually requires no treatment and goes away within a few days.
• General reactions. These include fever, malaise, and short-term loss of appetite. Most often these are harmless manifestations. However, if you observe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, convulsions in your pet, then you should definitely consult a doctor.

How to prepare your pet for vaccination?

The algorithm is simple and requires little effort:

1. 7-10 days before the scheduled vaccination, you should rid your pet of helminths. For this, animals are usually given special preparations.
2. At this time, it is better not to walk the puppy or take walks only in the adjacent territory, which is kept clean.
3. It is recommended to monitor the general condition of the pet during the week before vaccination. Changes in behavior, appetite and activity should be alerted.

Trust the procedure only to a trusted specialist and choose your veterinary clinic carefully. A conscientious doctor will answer all your questions about the vaccine, and before vaccination, he will examine the animal and ask if the pet is allergic to any drugs.