Column: Vaccinating pets is a healthy move for them and the community, too
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Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again — flu season. My husband Pierce is always on top of getting his vaccines as soon as they are available, but then he has to keep reminding me. If (like me) you missed the recommended months of September and October for vaccination, it is still not too late.
While I may be slow in getting my own vaccines, I’m always sure to keep our dog Sueshi up to date on hers.
At Pasadena Humane, we are proud to offer a weekly low-cost vaccine and microchip clinic for dogs and cats of all ages living in our service area.
Earlier this fall, we also hosted a vaccine clinic at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple where we provided vaccines for 75 pets in just a few hours. This clinic was especially important for bringing vaccination services to members of the community who may not be able to easily get to our shelter. We look forward to hosting more offsite clinics next year.
Our chief veterinarian, Dr. Maria Pyrdek, DVM, is here to answer some common questions about vaccinating your pets.
Why should I vaccinate my pet?
Vaccines help prevent your pet from contracting potentially deadly diseases, and vaccinations help all pets in the community by reducing the occurrence of disease. Fewer sick pets mean fewer viruses and diseases being spread and contaminating the areas where our pets spend time.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines present the body with a small amount of a virus or bacteria that is unable to cause the actual disease. The immune system recognizes this as a pathogen and creates a mild immune response. The immune system then “remembers” the pathogen so that the next time it is encountered, the response is quick, and the disease will be either completely neutralized or have a very mild effect.
Are vaccines painful?
Most pets don’t notice vaccines being administered at all, especially when we distract them with some ear scratches or treats. Not all vaccines are injections. Some are just a few drops of liquid on the nose; others are oral vaccines flavored like treats.
Will my pet experience any side effects?
The most common side effects include a small swelling at the injection site that subsides after a week or so. Some pets might be a little tired, not want to eat quite as much, or be a little tender at the site of the injection. On rare occasions, pets may experience a more serious allergic reaction.
How often do I need to vaccinate my pet?
This depends on the age of the pet and the pet’s lifestyle. Kittens and puppies should be vaccinated every 2-3 weeks until they are 4-5 months old. While some vaccines in adults (such as rabies or distemper) can often provide immunity for 3 years, others, such as kennel cough or influenza, may need to be repeated as often as every 6 months, depending on your pet’s lifestyle. And it is important to remember, the influenza vaccine requires a series of two vaccines given 2-4 weeks apart.
If you live in Pasadena Humane’s service area, which includes Altadena, Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena, please visit pasadenahumane.org/vax to make an appointment for Pasadena Humane’s weekly low-cost vaccine clinic.
Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.
This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on November 2, 2024.
