Veterinary Vaccinations in Cleveland

Helping Your New Caney Pets Prevent Common Diseases Through Vaccinations

Furry family members mean almost as much to you as their human counterparts – if not just as much. Why wouldn’t you, therefore, give them all the same tools to live long, stay strong, and experience maximum health?

Of course you would, and vaccines are an inescapable part of any pet health plan. They help animals fight disease before it takes hold and keep pet populations as a whole safe from infection. For these reasons, Big Thicket Veterinary Clinic Cleveland & New Caney offers vaccinations to help you keep your pet as healthy and safe from disease as possible.

Schedule your vaccination appointment by calling our clinic at (281) 843-9504 today.

How Do Vaccines Work?

Vaccines administer a very low dose of a pathogen to a pet, so that their immune system can “learn” to fight it. When a virus or bacteria enters the animal’s body for the first time, they will not possess an immunity, but introducing the disease prompts their system to manufacture antibodies to help fight it, explains the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Those antibodies then live in their bloodstream from then on, so should they encounter that pathogen in real life, full-strength, they will already have the tools to fight it.

Do Vaccines Make My Pet Completely Immune?

This is a tricky question. Some animals who receive vaccines do develop total immunity. Others only develop partial immunity. Still others, if they don’t receive booster shots regularly, may lose part or all of their previous immunity.

That’s why the concept of “herd immunity” is so important. When the entire population susceptible to a particular disease is vaccinated, the disease can’t find a foothold. Therefore, even if an animal didn’t have 100 percent immunity, it wouldn’t matter, because other animals couldn’t get infected and pass it on.

However, today’s reports show that not nearly enough animals are getting vaccinated. Let’s all work to change that.

Which Vaccine Does My Pet Need?

Your pet needs “core” vaccines and may need “non-core” vaccines.

Core vaccines for dogs include:

• canine parvovirus
• canine distemper
• infectious canine hepatitis
• rabies

Core vaccine for cats include:

• feline panleukopenia
• feline calicivirus
• feline rhinotracheitis
• rabies

Depending on your individual dog or cat, your vet may recommend other vaccines as well. For example, if your cat is at risk of developing feline leukemia, your vet may advise a vaccine to help combat the chance.

Are There Side Effects to Vaccines?

Usually, no. Vaccines are safe and well-vetted, and we’ve been using the same ones on dogs and cats for years. At most, pets may experience a bit of mild fever or discomfort associated with the low dose of the disease they’ve received.

In rare cases, however, you may notice a serious allergic reaction:

• itching
• swelling of the skin and face
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing

If you notice any of this, please seek veterinary assistance right away. Mostly, though, vaccinations are a routine part of any pet’s life, and there’s nothing for you to worry about.

Schedule Your Pet's Vaccination Visit Today

Schedule your pet's vaccination appointment with confidence at Big Thicket Veterinary Clinic in Cleveland. Our dedicated team prioritizes your pet's health, offering expert care and a personalized approach to vaccinations. Trust us for a seamless experience, ensuring your furry companion stays protected against preventable diseases. Make the well-being of your pet a priority by scheduling with our experienced and caring team.

Want to learn more about vaccinating or set up your visit? Feel free to get in touch with us at (281) 843-9504 or by filling out our online form.