What does pet health look like?
Welcome to the April edition of our ‘What does pet health look like?’ series. April 20th marks World Animal Vaccination Day, now in its second year, the aim is to raise awareness of the vital role veterinary vaccines play in protecting the health of animals and, in some cases, people too. Therefore, this month we are discussing the importance of having your pets vaccinated and keeping up to date with any vaccines they might need. As owners this is important part of ensuring your pet’s well-being and by doing so you are able to prevent them getting a range of diseases, which is some cases can be very difficult to treat or even fatal.
We spoke to Christine about vaccinations for her lovely cat Hobbs and why they are so important; you can read some of her answers below.
Why is it important to have your cat vaccinated? What diseases does vaccination protect Hobbs against?
It is important to have your cat vaccinated to protect him/ her from serious and potentially fatal diseases to which cats can be prone including feline infectious enteritis, feline leukaemia and cat flu.
Why does your vet recommend regular vaccinations for Hobbs?
Vets recommend cats are inoculated preferably as kittens and that they receive a booster regularly in order to keep them protected.
How do you ensure Hobbs doesn’t find a trip to the vets stressful?
Hobbs like many cats does not welcome a trip to the vet so I try to minimise stress for him by ensuring his cat carrier has comfortable bedding and he has a toy and a couple of treats to eat.
Watch this space!
Christine has given a great overview on the importance of vaccinations. If you are not sure which vaccinations your pet might need talk to your vet and visit our vaccination page here. A talk with the vet will determine which vaccinations are suitable for your cat, which will include core ones for all cats and perhaps others based on risk factors/lifestyle – a tailored solution is the way to go.
This is so important not just for cats, but, for example, dogs and rabbits too, to keep your pets happy and healthy all year round.
Next time
The next instalment in our Pet Health series will be on exercise and fitness for your pets as we approach the summer season, so keep an eye out for it!
The ‘What does pet health look like?’ series will include a range of topics such as annual check-ups; cold-weather pet care; ticks, fleas, worms and skin conditions; responsible feeding, diet and exercise; grooming and dental care; travel healthcare; and the importance of companionship.