|| Rodolfo Gamarra
With immunization you avoid spending money on treatments that, in general, are more expensive than vaccines
Vaccinating pets is a measure to prevent the spread of diseases that can affect both animals and humans. With these, you avoid spending money on treatments that, in general, are more expensive than immunization.
This was stated by several specialists in the field, who explained the benefits of vaccination and consultation with the veterinarian, who is the only one with the knowledge and skills to evaluate, diagnose and apply treatments.
Zulay Graff, vice president of the College of Veterinary Doctors of the state of Aragua, pointed out that some vaccines in animals are used to prevent zoonotic diseases, that is, those that are transmitted to humans.
“If your pets are not healthy, they can present an illness and create a risk in the family unit where they are,” he said.
He stated that vaccinating is a medical, prophylactic act, for which it is necessary to evaluate the pet’s health condition.
“If it is an animal with a high parasite load, malnourished, has ectoparasite processes, the immune response will never be what was expected.”
For his part, Maximiliano Cierli, director of the veterinary hospital of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), Maracay campus, highlighted that the most important vaccine for pets is the anti-rabies vaccine, which prevents rabies, a deadly disease that can be transmitted to the man, and that is mandatory.
Cierli explained that the cost of vaccines varies depending on the number of diseases they protect and the commercial company that produces them, but they are not regulated by the State.
Likewise, he clarified that the price of vaccination in a veterinary clinic not only includes the value of the biological, but also the fees of the veterinarian, “who has training and experience that guarantees the well-being of the pet.”
Solidarity Options
Cierli recommended that low-income people or people who have many animals go to the foundations or the Nevado Mission, which offer free or low-cost veterinary medical care, and even care for street animals.
Likewise, you can also count on non-profit foundations that hold conferences in different areas.
Veterinary doctor Rafael Toro, who also works at the UCV clinic, explained that in addition to the anti-rabies vaccine, there are others for dogs such as the sextuple vaccine, which protects against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, adenovirus, coronavirus and kennel cough, as well as pupi, which is applied to two-month-old puppies and prevents parvavirus and distemper.
For cats, the vaccines are trivalent, which prevents herpesvirus, calicivirus and feline panleukopenia, and feline viral leukemia, which is transmitted among stray cats.
Costs
Toro pointed out that the price of the vaccines varies depending on the clinic and the commercial house, but that in general they range between 20 and 35 dollars.
He suggested making a plan to periodically deworm the animal every month, to prevent the proliferation of intestinal parasites. The corresponding dose may cost $3.
The UCV veterinary care center is an option for pet owners who want to provide quality, affordable care for their pet.
The hospital director announced that next Saturday, November 18, they have planned a vaccination and care activity for the dogs, which includes general consultation, hematology, haematozoan screening, coprology, deworming and anti-rabies vaccination.
| Side effects Vaccines for dogs and cats are generally well tolerated. The most important thing is that they are healthy and have reached the minimum age (eight weeks) to respond appropriately to the active ingredients. Thus, the possibility of strong reactions is reduced to a minimum. Possible side effects, which usually disappear after two or three and up to a week, are: fever, (painful) swelling at the injection site, fatigue, and loss of appetite. If these or other symptoms are detected, you should always contact the veterinarian. |
