Animal Welfare: Vaccination

Animals, just like humans, suffer from a range of infectious diseases. As veterinary medicine has advanced, prevention of disease has become a priority. One of the best means of prevention is by creating immunity in the animal. This is usually achieved by vaccination.

All these diseases, except rabies, are endemic in the UK. Many of them are killers, even with veterinary treatment. All of them cause suffering to animals - not just when the animal contracts the disease initially: damage can often be permanent. Their manifestation is being suppressed by responsible pet owners who have their animals vaccinated regularly against disease. Incidence of disease varies around the country and unvaccinated animals introduced to a new area are particularly vulnerable to infection.

The first vaccination

Vaccines stimulate the body to produce its own defence against infection, taking over the mother's role in providing protection. In general, puppies and kittens do not leave their mother until they are eight to nine weeks old, so this is usually when they receive their first vaccination.

The first vaccination course (for dogs and cats) always consists of two or more vaccinations. This is because timing for effective vaccination varies between individuals.

The need for regular boosters

The animal's active immunity must be "topped up" with a booster vaccination and your vet will remind you of when this is due (usually every 12 – 18 months). Also as part of the booster your pet has a full health check, often picking up problems early.