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"Vaccinating your pet will help him or her by providing protection against certain diseases that may be caused by bacteria or viruses."

Dr. Gary Arzem
Newmarket Veterinarian

Vaccination will help your pet by providing him/her with protection against certain diseases that may be caused by bacteria or viruses. We vaccinate your pet against diseases which are potentially life-threatening, highly infectious and either have no treatment or are costly to treat if your pet does become infected. The best way to ensure your pet has a long and healthy life is to keep vaccinations up to date, along with an annual examination (bi-annual for senior pets).

• To protect your pet against a multitude of serious diseases that may be very debilitating or life-threatening
• To protect you and your family against rabies – a fatal disease which may be transmitted from wildlife to your pets

As a newborn, your pet obtained protective antibodies during nursing from his/her mother. As your puppy or kitten ages, this maternal protection diminishes, and your pet becomes increasingly susceptible to disease. Puppies and kittens need a series of boosters (primary immunization) for two reasons:

1. To ensure that memory is created within your young pet’s immune system to enable it to recognize foreign bacteria or viruses.
2. To pick up where maternal antibodies leave off. In addition to being protective, the antibodies which your pet receives during nursing will prevent any vaccines from being effective. The duration of this maternal protection is unpredictable, and varies between different pets and different diseases. We give a series of vaccines to ensure that your puppy or kitten will develop protection when it needs it. Pets that do not complete the series are not protected against (and can die from) contagious viruses.

The risks associated with vaccination are extremely small, and the potential health risks associated with not vaccinating are generally much greater. When any vaccine is given to an animal, there is a small, potential risk that your pet may have a reaction. These reactions can range from relatively mild facial swelling and hives, to more serious cases of vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and collapse. As in humans, vaccinations may cause a severe, anaphylactic reaction in some individuals. In addition, there is thought to be a link between the administration of certain vaccines in cats and the development of a particular type of tumour (called a fibrosarcoma). We are also seeing some diseases of the immune system in animals, and while no definite connection has yet been proven with vaccines, it is still an area of concern. However, please remember that these occurrences are rare, and do not outweigh the overwhelming benefit to the vast majority of animals to be protected against certain diseases. Our doctors are aware of these issues, and they will recommend a vaccine protocol based on your individual pet’s exposure risks and lifestyle. We want your pet to be adequately and safely immunized without being “over-vaccinated”.

The protection which is provided by a vaccine will generally decrease over time. To ensure that your dog's immune system can defend itself from infectious diseases, periodic booster vaccines are required. Annual vaccinations have been the standard, and this is still very common. However, after very careful consideration, we have re-evaluated our vaccination philosophy and significantly changed our recommended vaccination schedules.

Recent studies indicate that in dogs and cats, protection in most healthy animals who have been properly vaccinated may last several years for some of the vaccines, while other vaccines may only produce immunity for a year. Your veterinarian will be able to discuss these issues with you during your appointment. Keep in mind that the most important reason for visiting your veterinarian annually is to have your pet thoroughly examined so that health problems can be detected early. Annual physical exams are essential in maintaining your pet’s quality of life. “Vaccinations and health care can be confusing issues. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us - we are here to help you provide your companion with the best possible quality of care. We appreciate the trust and confidence you show in us by selecting us as your pets' health care provider.”

No. We are not currently giving vaccinations to rabbits, however we strongly recommend an annual examination of your rabbit to identify any potential problems at an early stage when treatment may extend your pet’s quality of life.

Yes. Your ferret should be examined annually and immunized against both Distemper and Rabies. Ferrets may become infected with distemper via dogs. In ferrets, distemper is almost always a fatal disease.

Please contact our Veterinary Clinic in Newmarket to inquire about vaccinating your pet with us. We have flexible appointment times to accommodate your schedule.