Still Contemplating Vaccines?

This is a rundown of the compulsory vaccines, and what they prevent

 

Ever wondered why small pets have to be vaccinated, and what the vaccinations are for? It may seem cruel to have a puppy or kitten go through the ordeal, but at the end of the day, it is for the best. Rather than having to witness your beloved dog or cat suffering through something than can be prevented, you may want to find out why vaccinations are so necessary.

All animals need to be vaccinated (preferably before you even take them home, and revaccinated religiously for their entire life). This is true even if they do not socialise or leave their property, because diseases can be spread by people, staff, vehicles, rainwater, flies, objects such as car keys, money and cellphones, and even through the air.

Life-threatening diseases

These diseases are not just a scary story – they are extremely common and highly preventable.

Rabies (compulsory vaccination): Rabies is a disease that affects the nerves and brain. It is spread via saliva and infection will normally occur through a bite. All mammals can get rabies and it is almost always fatal. It is most commonly seen in the KwaZulu-Natal area and where dogs and cats are in contact with wildlife such as bats, monkeys, mongooses and jackals. The time from the bite to when the animal starts with symptoms can be anything from weeks to years, but once he starts with symptoms, he will only live a very short time. The only way to diagnose rabies is to euthanise the animal and send his brain for testing.