The topic of vaccination can cause quite a heated debate. There are so many opinions circling “shots” amongst the pet community that it can be difficult to make a sound decision about whether or not to vaccinate our furry friends. The internet is a great tool, however, it also gives a voice to many people and their opinions. It is important when making any choice, that you go to trusted and educated sources. Decisions about health issues need to be made based on facts and research, not merely on opinion.
Before writing this I wanted to see what information was out there about the risk of vaccines. A quick google search and I was amazed at the terrifying articles that were based on opinions, with no research or data to back them. However, they were well written and gave the illusion of being factual and legitimate. It was a scary eye opener. If I didn’t know better, I might buy in to these opinions.
The bottom line—vaccines are incredibly important in managing the health of your pet. We are lucky that we do not see many cases of the diseases that we vaccinate against. This is not because the diseases are gone, it is because we vaccinate against them. Vaccinating your pet will not give them cancer, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, bloat, behaviour problems or other health conditions. While there can be side effects from vaccines, these are generally mild and resolved quickly.
If you are concerned about vaccines, please discuss it with your veterinarian. They can help you determine which vaccines are appropriate for your pet based on its lifestyle. Not every pet needs every vaccine every year. The decision is based on individual factors, such as lifestyle and health status.
Many of the diseases we vaccinate against can be fatal to your pet. Preventing them through vaccination is far easier, safer and less expensive than treatment of the diseases. If you would like more information on vaccines, please ask your veterinarian.
