Pet Vaccination FAQs

Vaccinations protect your pet from some very serious and potentially life-threatening diseases and ensuring that your beloved animal receives them is one of your most significant responsibilities as a caring and compassionate pet owner. Whether this is your first pet, or you have been a pet owner for some time, chances are that you still don’t know everything that there is to know about vaccines or that you have some questions about them. To help keep our pet parents as informed as they can be, here are some of the most commonly asked questions we hear about pet vaccinations and their answers.  
 

What is a pet vaccination and is it different to human vaccinations?

Pet vaccinations work in exactly the same way as human vaccinations do. They are designed to protect your pet against some of the most serious infectious diseases out there and have saved the lives of millions of animals over the year. Each vaccine contains specific parts of the real disease but modified so that they aren’t harmful and won’t make your pet sick. Instead, their body will recognize these parts of the vaccine as harmful invaders and produce antibodies to fight it off. Better still, it will also remember the characteristics of the disease so that in the future, it can produce antibodies to fight it before you even realize that your pet has been exposed.
 

How often does my pet need to have vaccinations?

There is no single answer to this question since every pet is different. When still in infancy, animals are given regular smaller doses of a vaccine to build up their immunity as it isn’t safe for them to have a full adult dose when they are so small. After they reach adulthood, they will require booster vaccinations on a fairly regular basis, but your vet will be able to give you a specific schedule that is tailored to the needs of your pet. This is because some vaccinations offer immunity for longer than others. Without boosters, eventually, your pet’s body will no longer produce enough antibodies to keep them safe from the disease they were originally vaccinated against.
 

How do I know what vaccinations my pet needs?

Most pet owners aren’t all that familiar with what vaccinations their pet needs – that’s what your vet is for! Your vet will be able to advise you which vaccines are most appropriate for your pet based on their species, age, and other individual circumstances. Vaccines are usually broken down into ‘core’ and ‘non-core’. Those which are classed as core are given to all animals of the species, while non-core vaccines are only usually given to those animals who are considered by your vet to be ‘high risk’ of contracting them. Whether or not your pet receives non-core vaccines may change during their lifetime.
 

Are pet vaccinations safe?

There is the same degree of controversy over pet vaccinations as there are human ones. However, the vast majority of veterinarians agree that the benefits of getting your pet vaccinated far outweigh any risks associated with their use. Your vet will be able to advise you of the risks that are linked to each specific vaccine, including any side effects that your pet could potentially experience.

For more information about pet vaccinations, or to schedule an appointment for your pet, please speak to our experienced and knowledgeable veterinary team.