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To vaccinate or not. You’re probably familiar with this debate. Maybe you are even torn yourself and a little unsure which side you stand on. There are those that advocate for vaccination and those that oppose it and the issue grows in controversy yearly.
Many people feel that it is quite harmful to subject your pet, especially a puppy or kitten, to vaccinations. Basically a vaccine is intended to protect your pet from diseases. These shots are filled with a low dose of the actual “disease”. This is considered a step towards familiarizing the system with the virus, hence allowing the body to fight it off. However, as with humans, this is not always without side effects or negative reactions. You, as the pet owner, should be working in conjunction with your vet to establish your pet’s medical care regimen. This includes their shots. Each pet is different, unique. Where your pet travels, lifestyle and even breed, will factor into their medical care. Do your research. Discuss with your vet all side effects as well as the points in favor of vaccination, and then make an informed decision. There are many cities that require rabies shots in order to obtain a license. We have the Parvo virus, Distemper and Kennel Cough to contend with. Speak to your Vet about each one and take it from there. Read on to learn some of the pros and cons to vaccinating your pet.
Cons – injection of the disease itself – risk of tumors at the site of injection – infection at the site of injection – overloading the immune system which in turn compromises your pets health – side effects and possible allergic reactions or seizures – the rarity of the disease in your dog and possible unneeded vaccine – susceptibility to vaccine related disease
Remember, each pet is unique. A working cattle dog may require a different vaccine regime as opposed a small lap dog that hangs out at home all day.
Pro’s – protection from fatal disease and illness – ability to obtain license from city – boarding and grooming and some apartment / rentals require this While the list to avoid vaccinations may seem to overwhelm the reasons in favor of vaccinating your pet, the basic reason for vaccination is to avoid deadly health risks to your pet. So please do your own research and meet with your vet to delve deeper into this issue. It is serious decision and there are risks on either side. It is up to you as your pet’s guardian and only advocate to ensure you are laying out the best course of treatment. For further details you can also visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/vaccinations.
