Are Vaccinations Necessary?
When I got my first puppy off we went to my veterinarian to get her shots. Getting puppy vaccinations was a given for me. I kept up with them religiously over the years and never really gave it much thought. However, as my indoor cat has gotten older I have begun to wonder, do I really need to continue her yearly shots?
Timely vaccinations are very important part of pet’s health. Different types of vaccine shots are to be given at different times. Some people are against vaccinations while others are in favor of it. The fact is there are risks involved with both, so it’s up to the pet owner to decide which is the best decision for them. A definitive statement cannot cover all circumstances, the rules vary from one individual animal to another depending on the needs and tolerance levels of the pet. There are certain factors that have to be taken into consideration before a decision is made.
Young ones which have been separated from their mothers before six weeks and are bottle-fed are at a higher risk of getting diseases. This is because the animals, which feed on their mother’s milk, get maternal antibodies, which protects them until their own immune system has been fully developed. The development of immune system can differ on the basis of amount and type of viruses they are getting exposed to, the potency of the virus and the body’s ability to face the virus attack. Diet and nutrition also plays an important role in preventing diseases.
Animals, which aren’t exposed enough to these natural antibodies may need to get vaccinated to help their system develop immunities. The quantity is also important, because a little more virus can actually infest the disease in the animal. The amount can be determined by analyzing whether the animal has a weak or strong resistance to the virus.
Age is also another important factor. Animals, which are older in age, react differently. One of the reasons is that the system will be obviously weaker because of the daily activities, when compared to the younger ones. Since their immune system would have undergone different conditions; there could be a possibility of deposition of toxins in the body. Sometimes the healthier older animal won’t be requiring vaccination at all if it has received adequate shots before.
Before vaccinating an animal, its history should be checked. The number of times a particular vaccination has been given should be checked against the records. There are breeders who give a weekly dose of vaccination to their animal, which is for sure an overdose! This leads to many problems such as thickening of blood because of the protein complexes released from the immune system. This can also damage other internal organs and might even result in the failure of the immune system. In worst circumstances, it could even lead to the death of the animal.
Pregnant females react differently to the vaccines when compared to their male and female counterparts. The pregnant females should never be injected with live virus vaccines or even exposed to other animals that have recently received them. Animals, which have been injected with dead-virus vaccines, are safe for the childbearing animal.
Animals, which are already suffering from a disease, should be examined more carefully, so that the vaccination doesn’t aggravate the problem. Genetics also plays an important role. If the animal stands a chance of getting a disease because of hereditary reason, vaccinations can create an adverse reaction.
The environment also plays a major role. If the animal is kept in a sanitary and clean place, it is exposed to lesser viruses, which lowers it’s chances of getting diseases. A dirtier environment not only spreads viruses and bacteria but also affects the immune system and other systems adversely as toxins begin to deposit in the body. The vaccination plan should be designed after analyzing the lifestyle of the animal.
Another major reason for difference in the quantity of vaccination is the improvement in the vaccinations. They have become safer and more efficient. No tests have proved the affective period of the vaccinations. Every state and country has different regulations about vaccination. Vaccination testing cannot only risk the life of the animal, but as well as that of a human. For example, if a dog, which is being tested for rabies vaccination, bites a human, it can lead to the death of the human, in extreme circumstances.
Another consideration is the cost of vaccinations which can add up, especially if you have more than one pet. Around the country there are many low cost vaccination clinics held to make it more affordable for owners who want to vaccinate their pets. Petco for example offers low cost vaccinations.
If in doubt, whether you should vaccinate your pet or not check with your vet, then the decision is up to you.
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