Pet Vaccinations

Just like us, our pets can be vaccinated against diseases. Many pet owners take pets of all kinds to
get regular yearly rabies vaccinations. Dogs, cats, and many other pets can benefit from rabies vaccinations.
In some communities, all dogs are required to have a yearly rabies vaccination. Vaccines are also commonly
administered to dogs protect against, among others, canine distemper—a viral disease related to the
measles—and canine hepatitis, which is a liver virus similar to human hepatitis.

Veterinarians also encourage vaccination of cats and certain other pets as well, such as ferrets. Cats
and ferrets can both be vaccinated for rabies and, as with dogs, yearly vaccination is recommended.
Some of the diseases cats are commonly vaccinated against include feline influenza, which cannot be
transmitted to humans but poses an especially serious risk to kittens. Cats are also commonly vaccinated
against feline distemper, a disease related to the one dogs sometimes suffer.

One of the most serious illnesses to affect cats is the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV. This
virus is related to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the disease that causes AIDS. Although FIV,
if left untreated, is not as severe for cats as HIV is for humans, any cat that contracts FIV will eventually
perish from it. A vaccine for FIV exists, but its effectiveness is unproven and it is only designed
to treat a few of the common subtypes of FIV.

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Only a licensed veterinary doctor can determine if your pet has one of these diseases, but you can take
preventative steps to safeguard your pet’s health. By taking your pets to the veterinarian for regular
vaccinations, you can substantially reduce the risk that your pet will be affected by many of the most
dangerous diseases. To learn more about pet vaccinations, contact
your Austin Veterinarian Clinic today.