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As a pet owner, you have the responsibility to ensure your pet is vaccinated against rabies and other potential illnesses. In Wisconsin, all dogs and cats (based on municipality) must be vaccinated against rabies. In fact, proof of up-to-date rabies vaccination is required in order to license your pet—another annual requirement. In La Crosse County, the deadline to license your dog is December 31, but if your pet is currently licensed, you have a grace period now through March 31 to renew. Requirements for cat licenses vary by municipality.
If you are unsure about which vaccines your pet needs or how to best prepare for these vaccinations, Onalaska Animal Hospital can help answer all of your questions and provide excellent care for your furry friend. But first, let’s learn the basics of vaccines.
Vaccines protect your pets from serious diseases that can cause them harm or even death. For example, the rabies vaccine protects against the deadly rabies virus, affecting most mammals' brains and central nervous systems. That includes humans.
Other required vaccinations include the core vaccines for parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus (a cause of hepatitis), and parainfluenza. There are also non-core “lifestyle” vaccines to consider such as bordetella, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease. All of these infectious diseases can cause severe illness in pets if they are not vaccinated against them.
Although it may be tempting to avoid vaccinating your pet for rabies or other illnesses due to cost concerns or feeling overwhelmed by all the information available about these vaccines, just imagine the stress, pain, and costs you would be dealing with if your pet—not to mention you—were ever exposed to these diseases without the protection that comes with up-to-date vaccinations.
Additionally, fines for not licensing your pets can cost up to five times the cost of vaccination.
Once you know which vaccines your pet needs, it’s important to take steps to prepare them prior to their visit. First and foremost, if possible, it’s important that pets arrive at the clinic on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you are new to Onalaska Animal Hospital, please bring along any medical records you have regarding past vaccinations or medications administered to your pet so we can update our records accordingly.
Taking proactive steps towards vaccinating your pet is essential in preventing potentially life-threatening illnesses in both humans and animals alike. If you live in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, then once again remember all dogs must be vaccinated against rabies—and regardless of where you live, it’s essential that each animal receives all necessary vaccinations based on species and lifestyle considerations in order to remain healthy over time. At Onalaska Animal Hospital, we strive to provide excellent care for each patient who comes through our doors. We look forward to answering any questions about how to prepare your pets for vaccinations and helping you determine which vaccines are necessary for them to stay happy and healthy.
