The debate on giving annual vaccinations to ensure good cat health versus the unhealthy implications of inoculation on the pet health has been going on for years. Many veterinarians believe that there is enough evidence to suggest that annual vaccine shots for deadly diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, is unnecessary and even harmful in some cases.
There is no doubt vaccinations (immunizations, "shots") have saved the lives of millions of cats. Before the days of effective vaccines, cats routinely died from panleukopenia ("feline distemper") and complications of upper respiratory (herpesvirus, calicivirus) infections. Newer vaccines are available to protect against feline leukemia virus infection, feline infectious peritonitis virus and other infections (chlamydia, feline bordetella, ringworm). Current vaccination programs protect our cats (and us) from the threat of rabies.
Cat health related vaccines that have been licensed by the federal government are tested to make sure that they protect pet health against diseases for one year. But, because these vaccines are not tested for long-term pet health side effects nor do they measure the time for which the vaccine will be effective, some studies at universities have suggested that cat health can be protected by these vaccines for many years negating the requirement of annual shots. This also means that pet owners don't have to waste money on annual inoculations for better pet health and cat health.
What Studies Tell About Pet Health Vaccines
Typically, rabies is the only pet health disease that can pose a threat to people; most vaccines aren't statutory by law. However, vets recommend annual boosters to guard cat health against those potential diseases that can be life threatening (parvovirus in dogs, distemper, herpes in cats etc). In advent of this new and scientific data that cites annual booster shots leading to certain health risks such as hyperthyroidism in cats, more and more vets are now making changes in their practices. According to a poll, it has been found that the vaccination count has fallen down by 49% than the figure 5 years ago.
It's safe to assume that no one, including vets, scientists etc, knows the duration of protection cat health vaccines offer. Moreover, vaccine makers don't wish to spend millions of pounds on proving the duration of their vaccines nor do they wish to test it.
Health Problems Related to Cat Health Vaccines
More studies, off late, are beginning to link many chronic pet health problems to inoculations. Cat health skin related problems such as hair loss, ulcers, lesions, indurations and serious problems such as indurations or hard lumps at and around the site of the injection have often been related to vaccines. While these adverse reactions to pet health vaccines may not pose the threat of an epidemic, it definitely rings an alarm bell and warrants a re-examination of the conventional beliefs related to vaccination practices.
Adverse Reactions to Pet Health Vaccines
Adverse reactions to pet health vaccines include fever, stiffness of joints, lethargy, abdominal tenderness, anaphylactic shock, kidney and liver problems among others. In some cases, vets believe that those cats/dogs that have a pre-existing health problem may suffer a much faster decline in their health when given annual booster shots.
As most pet owners already know, heartworm treatment for cats and dogs isn't the same. Never, under any circumstances, should you give your cat heartworm treatment that is designed for a dog - or vice versa. Even though you may own both dogs and cats, you should always give them medicine that is designed for their species.
No matter how you look at it, heartworm treatment isn't easy. Your goal is to get rid of the heartworms, although there are several factors that you'll need to consider. The first thing to do is take your cat to the vet, as he will be able to run tests to determine just how many heartworms your pet has. He can also find out how the worms are affecting your cat and if your cat can deal with any side effects that the treatment medicine may impose.
Heartworms are a very serious condition, as the worms will feast on the vital areas around your cat's heart. Treatment can be serious as well, especially if something goes wrong. Veterinarians are trained to deal with heartworms though, in both cats and dogs. Even though you may be able to buy treatment medicine at your local department store, you should always consult with your vet before you give anything to your pet.
Treating your cat for heartworms may indeed be no treatment at all, as cats are extremely difficult to treat. The dying worms have side effects as well, often times causing more than 1/3 of the treated cats to end up with serious problems. Dying worms can become lodged in the arteries of the heart, which are already inflamed due to the worms being there. When a lodged worm starts to decompose, it can lead to very serious problems. Pets that have a serious infestation with heartworms may need to spend some time at the hospital, to ensure that they are properly treated.
Some cats may not be able to take a certain type of heartworm treatment medicine. Depending on the side affects and how the medicine affects the cat, some breeds may not be able to take some of the better medicines. To determine the best treatment options for your cat, your vet will need to run several tests. Once the tests have concluded, your vet will be able to tell you the best options available for treatment.
With all diseases, prevention is a lot better and safer than treatment. Be sure to talk to your vet and find out what heartworm prevention medication is the best to use. Your vet can tell you what you need to get, and how to use it. This way, you can prevent your pet from getting heartworms - and the serious side effects and life threatening issues that go along with them.
Both Thierry Babineaux & Jasmine Stone are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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