Is it important to vaccinate your dog or cat?
It is not compulsory to have your pet vaccinated in France, whether it is a dog, cat, ferret or other rodent. But it is still strongly recommended to protect your animal by having it vaccinated against certain particularly dangerous diseases!
Vaccines have been the subject of a great public debate for several years! While vaccines are not compulsory for dogs and cats in France, veterinarians strongly recommend that they be administered for the well-being of the animal, its owner and other animals. Here’s why !
Why vaccinate your dog or cat?
Vaccination quite simply allows you to effectively protect your animal from many diseases. Simple and quick, a vaccine is administered in two steps three movements by a general veterinarian, and durably protects the dog or cat from infectious diseases which threaten the health of all pets.
The cost of vaccines
Sometimes, one gives up having vaccinated his dog or cat because of the cost generated by the procedure. It is true that vaccines are not free, and initially represent costs. Not all owners want to pay to protect their animals from diseases that may never affect them.
But in reality, it is much more economical to vaccinate your dog or cat and thus avoid much higher medical costs later, if the animal contracts a disease! And that’s not to mention the worry and stress when an animal has health problems, even if it is recovering completely. By vaccinating your animal, your life is considerably simpler.
Vaccinating your animal is also an act of solidarity. In addition to protecting your animal, it comes down to protecting other animals. We don’t always think about it, but not all animals have access to safe and timely veterinary care when they get sick.
An increasingly frequent brake: fear of vaccines
As in humans, some owners fear long-term adverse effects in vaccinated animals, and refuse to vaccinate their four-legged companions .
Unfortunately, this fear is spreading and has a devastating effect on the vaccination rate of animals. However, it is essential that as many people as possible be vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease!
Indeed, in 2019, the World Health Organization claimed that the “anti-vax” trend was among the 10 deadliest threats to global human health. In humans, measles cases have increased by 30% worldwide since the emergence of the anti-vaccination movement, and animals are also affected.
The greatest health risk for our furry companions is parvovirus , also known as typhus in dogs. It is a particularly virulent and dangerous virus, with a very high death rate.
Admittedly, a vaccinated animal will sometimes have slight side effects in the days following the administration of the vaccine. But this is completely normal, and these effects are much less hard to bear than the symptoms of the disease the animal is being vaccinated against.
If you have the slightest doubt on this subject, ask your veterinarian for advice so that he can explain it to you!
You will understand: vaccinating your animal is extremely important! So, against which diseases should he be vaccinated as a priority?
What vaccines are recommended for dogs and cats?
If you want to travel outside of France with your animal, it is essential to have it vaccinated against rabies, otherwise the animal will not be able to obtain a passport .
This zoonosis (a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans) is fatal for any living being that contracts it. Rabies is very rare in France today, but the disease is still circulating ! If you haven’t already, get your pet vaccinated against rabies as soon as possible.
It is also strongly recommended to opt for the following vaccines:
- The parvovirus or “hemorrhagic gastroenteritis” disease highly contagious and virulent causing heavy gastric disorders. It is a particularly important vaccine for your animal to do!
- The distemper : viral disease also called “disease of the young pup”
- The hepatitis Rubarth : viral disease that destroys liver cells
- The leptospirosis or typhus dog , a bacterial disease that is found in water contaminated by contaminated urine of dogs or rodents.
- The piroplasmosis : transmitted by ticks, the disease destroys red blood cells
- The kennel cough : respiratory disease that affects dogs living in community.
If you plan to travel with your pet outside of France, find out in advance about potential vaccines that your destination country may require in addition to the rabies vaccine.
