As a pet owner you naturally want your pet to be healthy and safe. Your pet cannot wake you up in the middle of the night and tell you they don’t feel good. They have to tell you in other ways, and oftentimes these signals go overlooked or unnoticed. One of the best ways to protect your beloved pet from illness and disease is to follow the recommended vaccination schedule. Primary vaccinations are essential for protecting against common diseases and sickness, and if you are in need of pet vaccinations in Chicago there are many options available to you as to where to get the vaccinations done. So the simple answer to the question is yes, annual vaccines and boosters are necessary the vast majority of time.
There is no evidence that annual booster vaccinations do any harm to your pet, and they are in fact extremely beneficial and necessary for the majority of pets. Published research has shown that owners who skip annual vaccinations and miss extended sets of annual boosters and shots are putting their pet at risk for getting one of the diseases those shots are designed to protect against. To accurately determine whether or not boosters are necessary for your pet, a series of lab work and blood tests must be done to measure the amount of antibodies present in your pet’s blood. When you miss annual shots, these levels drop to an unsafe range and additional shots and treatments may be needed. Unfortunately, these tests are often more expensive than the shots themselves, and it is also much more stressful on your pet.
Your veterinarian knows your pet and they are the ones who perform the check-ups and examinations prior to any vaccine injections being administered. This is done so they can make sure there are no obvious issues that need to be addressed beyond what the basic vaccination shot can do. You will be asked to answer a series of questions about your pet in regards to their health, and they will be checked for any signs of trouble or areas of concern. Early diagnosis provides for more effective and successful treatment and can go a long way in helping to improve the quality of your pet’s life. How frequently your dog or cat needs to be vaccinated will be determined by your veterinarian.
If you are in need of pet vaccinations in Chicago, be sure to talk to Portage Park Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic about the type and schedule of vaccines that is best for your pet.
