Why are house pets who never go outside required to get so many different shots throughout the year? People are not required to get that many. Some people get flu shots but they don't really need them if they have a strong amine system. Is it just another scam to get our money?
This is a hot-button issue in the veterinary field. It all depends on your personal pet's lifestyle.
All dogs go outside unless they are apartment bound with a pee pad (which is sad in my opinion) so all dogs are exposed to a variety of canine diseases. If you think about it, when we were babies, our parents (unless they were against it) vaccinated us against measles, the flu, diptheria, tetanus, and on and on. It is the same with dogs and cats. They should always start out with the core vaccinations they will need to protect them against viruses that they are susceptible to. A dog for example, will usually be started on a vaccination schedule at 8 wks of age. This is because this is the time that they are usually weaned of their mothers milk, which has up til now, provided them with HER antibodies against these diseases. These antibodies are fading at this age and this is why we vaccinate. They get "boosters" about every 4 wks for a session of three boosters (sometimes 2 and sometimes up to 6 depending on the veterinarian). These boosters help the dogs body "learn" to produce its own natural antibodies to theses diseases. After a puppy or kitten has completed a full vaccination schedule, it doesn't need more than a yearly and sometimes triannual (every 3 years) "booster" of these vaccines (like our "flu shot).
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Over-vaccination is a valid issue, and so I personally suggest getting your dog or cat vaccinated against only the viruses which it will be susceptible to.
My PERSONAL opinion:
Dogs: Essential: DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza), RV (Rabies), and Bb (Bordetella) if in contact with other dogs (as most are). Optional: Lyme, Leptospirosis, Giardia
Cats: Essential: FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopenia), if fully indoor I'm happy without the Rabies or FIV or Felv but if outdoor/indoor (and patio cats ARE outdoor) then should get those vaccines as well as they are fatal usually and travel cat to cat.
Doesn't matter if house pets don't go outside. There are tons of fatal diseases that can be carried into your home on your shoes. Its not even safe inside, really .
Parvo virus, for instance. It can lay dormant in the ground for up to 6 years. It is also highly contagious and spread easily. It can be spread as easily as a person or a bird walking or landing on a piece of land where the virus lies. The virus can then be spread to any area that bird, person, or other animal goes.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Same goes for distemper. Its easily carried and spread.
Rabies is serious. Your animal must go out to contract rabies, since it is spread through bites and scratches of infected animals. However, a simple night trip to pee, and a pet dog could be bitten by an opossum, racoon, fox, or other mammal carrying the disease.
Shots are not a scam.
Shots protect your pets.
If you aren't willing to protect your pets from nasty and fatal diseases, don't get a pet.
It depends what shots you are referring to. It is a requirement now for most pets (cats, dogs) to get a rabies vaccine. There are combination vaccines that are very common and cover most of the bases. Even if your pet is indoors, you have to keep in mind that you are bringing in lots of germs and bacteria that could potentially infect your pets.
Some vaccines are required by boarding places, such as kennel cough, since it can be spread so easily in a kennel environment. Others, like the Feline Leukemia vaccine are not especially important for indoor-only cats, because it's only transmitted through contact with an infected cat. However, many vets will recommend it just in case. It's partly because they make some extra money, but they also want to make sure your pet is 100% protected just in case they escape and are exposed to new diseases.
Even if a pet is indoors, you go outdoors so you're bringing in some of the things on you. Like Canine Distemper. That is one where you can carry it in on your shoes, you're dog can go sniff them and there you go. Your dog has Canine Distemper.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I say dogs and cats - Even indoor should have all vaccinations.
None of my rabbits had them - all of them live outdoor
None of my ferrets have them - They live outdoors and one goes out hunting for wild rabbits with me
Dogs and cats have a set of 3 injections called a puppy or kitten course. This is to just start to build up their immune system against the different illnesses.
Then once every year they have a booster vaccination. Just one injection.
If you go over that year from the last injection - you have to start all over again with the set of 3 injections.
I've never heard of a pet getting more than a few shots ... it's possible you either have really unhealthy pets, or the vet is taking you for a ride and giving your pet every possible vaccine and medication under the sun. Next time you go in, make sure you know exactly what's being done and why it's being done. Cheers
