Veterinary Medicine has undergone an interesting sea change in the past ten to fifteen years pertaining to immunization of pets. In the past, the primary reason for going to the veterinarian was to get your pet’s “shots.” Fortunately, that has changed! The view on vaccinations/immunizations has changed because of:
- Research on duration of immunity – over the past ten to twenty years, more studies have been done showing that certain immunizations confer immunity for three years or longer.
- Vaccine titer testing has gained favor amongst veterinarians and pet owners as a way to determine whether their pet truly needs immunization boosters.
- AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) and AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) have produced written vaccination guidelines for dogs and cats, which have reflected these changes, and brought longer vaccination intervals into mainstream vet care.
At Antigo Veterinary Clinic, we keep abreast of changes in vaccine protocol recommendations and tailor your pet’s vaccine recommendations according to his or her lifestyle. Vaccinations should not be a “one size fits all” procedure. Your veterinarian and technician will review recommended immunizations for your pet, and with the knowledge we provide you, decide which immunizations you elect for your pet.