Pet vaccinations are a critical part of our arsenal in fighting infection and serious and fatal diseases in our beloved animals. For anyone that has seen a dog fighting through parvovirus, crippled for weeks with severe vomiting, diarrhoea and an inability to eat despite intensive hospital treatment the reason for vaccinations is very clear.
Pet vaccinations are a vital part of routine preventative health care
In some cases, vaccinating your pet can prevent infectious disease all together, in others it reduces the severity of any potential disease. Like all of medicine, in most cases the benefits associated with vaccinating your pet far outweigh the potential risks associated with uncommon side effects.
Dogs, cats and rabbits should receive at least yearly vaccines
More frequent boosters are often required in young animals or animals starting a vaccination course for the first time.
Core vaccines in Australia for dogs include protection against:
- Parvovirus,
- Canine Distemper
- Hepatitis
- some agents that cause Kennel Cough.
In fact, thanks to vaccinations, disease like canine hepatitis is now very rare in Australia. However, were people to stop vaccinating their dogs, the overall immunity to this disease in the dog population in Australia would decrease making dogs once again vulnerable to it.
Core vaccines for cats include protection against
- respiratory viruses like Herpesvirus and Calicivirus that cause cat flu like symptoms
- panleukopenia which can produce severe gastrointestinal disease in cats.
For cats that spend any time outdoors vaccinating against FIV (which is the feline equivalent of HIV in humans) is also strongly advised.
A core vaccine for rabbits can be protection against Calicivirus in Australia to protect them against a disease that is otherwise usually fatal and commonly encountered due to being used for population control in wild rabbit populations.
Are pet vaccinations covered by insurance?
Vaccines are essential in preventing serious and potentially fatal illnesses that pets may be exposed to, but unfortunately at this stage they’re not typically covered by insurance.
Pet insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for unexpected veterinary expenses, such as accidents or illness. Most pet insurance policies don’t cover routine and preventive care, which includes vaccinations.
If your pet has never received vaccinations, you are unsure about their vaccination history, or it has been more than a year since their last vaccination, contact your vet today about making an appointment and get them back on track to health.
Are pet vaccinations important?
Pet vaccinations are a critical part of our arsenal in fighting infection and serious and fatal diseases in our beloved animals.
What diseases do vaccines prevent in dogs?
The core vaccinations for dogs in Australia prevent
– Parvovirus,
– Canine Distemper,
– Hepatitis,
– some agents that cause Kennel Cough.
What diseases do vaccines prevent in cats?
The core vaccinations for cats in Australia prevent
– respiratory viruses like Herpesvirus and Calicivirus that cause cat flu like symptoms
– panleukopenia which can produce severe gastrointestinal disease in cats.
Cats that spend any time outdoors vaccinating against FIV (which is the feline equivalent of HIV in humans) is also strongly advised.
What vaccination should my rabbit have?
A core vaccine for rabbits is protection against Calicivirus, a disease that can be fatal and commonly encountered due to being used for population control in wild rabbit populations.
Are pet vaccinations covered by insurance?
Vaccines are not typically covered by insurance. Pet insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for unexpected veterinary expenses, such as accidents or illness. Most pet insurance policies don’t cover routine and preventive care, which includes vaccinations.
