Like humans, pets needed vaccinations
to prevent them from falling victims to serious diseases. But
unlike humans, the vaccination of pets is an individual decision.
That is, in some pets a certain vaccine may be needed, while
in others the same vaccine may be useless.
A vaccine is an injection that contains weakened
pathogens. The presence of these pathogens will induce the immune
system to produce antibodies to fight the pathogens. Since the
pathogens are weak already, the antibodies can easily defeat
them. These antibodies, perhaps anticipating another attack
of such pathogens, stay in the body.
There are research studies, however, that show
vaccination to be dangerous. Such studies contend that vaccination
is the reason why pets become ill of chronic diseases, such
as arthritis, leukemia, skin allergies, irritable bowel movement,
and respiratory infections. Thoughtless and indiscriminate vaccination
was linked to the occurrence of cancer in young cats and dogs.
The proposed reason for this is that vaccination
will always strain the immune system. Even with weakened viruses,
it is still considered an attack against the health of the pet.
To protect the pet from the health-related
dangers of too much vaccination, here are some suggestions that
an owner may prudently keep in mind:
1. Consider the age of the pet
Younger pets are less tough when given vaccines.
Their immune systems are not yet fully developed. This is why
there are limits to age when the pet should be vaccinated. For
example, puppies and kitten should be at least three months
old before they are given a vaccine, such as the parvovirus.
Then, the young pet should be at least six months old before
receiving the rabies vaccine. In the meantime, the owner must
strive to keep the young pet away from exposure to diseases.
2. Consider the lifestyle of the pet
The lifestyle of some pets is often enough
to keep them away from certain diseases. For example, an indoor
cat may never encounter other animals that have diseases. The
risk of this cat procuring rabies is almost zero.
3. Consider the neighborhood
If there is an outbreak of a serious animal
disease in the neighborhood, such as the corona virus, leptospirosis,
or Bordetella, then the pet should be given a vaccination. Without
the presence of such disease, the vaccine is unnecessary.
4. Limit the vaccinations
Many vaccinations provide long-term protection.
This means that a pet need not be given the same kind of vaccination
every year. Before a pet is given the same vaccination, the
owner must request a blood test first. The blood test will indicate
if there are still sufficient antibodies to fight a specific
disease.
5. Research
The owner must conduct his own research about
the vaccination of his pet. For example, a sickly animal should
not be given any vaccination at all.
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