PetShield

At minimum, your pet should have a complete physical examination at least once a year. Puppies and kittens, senior pets, and pets with chronic health conditions may need more frequent visits. Annual check-ups are important not just for vaccinations but for early detection of health problems disease in animals is often identified at a later stage than in humans, making regular exams crucial.

Prevention is the best defence against diseases that can cause serious illness or even death. Treating a disease after it has taken hold is often much more expensive and less effective than preventing it in the first place. Regular preventive care also helps catch health concerns early, when they are easier and less costly to manage. Plus, keeping your pet healthy means more happy, worry-free years together.

Vaccination is just one part of a complete wellness plan. Other essential components include:

• Proper nutrition — a balanced diet with appropriate fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals
• Regular exercise — adapted to your pet’s age, breed, and health status
• Parasite prevention — regular flea, tick, and worm treatments
• Dental care — routine dental checks and cleaning
• Routine grooming — helps maintain health and enables early identification of problems

Preventive care saves money in the long run. Skipping it may save money short-term but often leads to higher costs and more suffering for your pet down the road

Vaccination protects not just your individual pet but contributes to “herd immunity” reducing the overall prevalence of infectious diseases in the pet community and creating a safer environment for all animals. Some diseases, like rabies and leptospirosis, can also be transmitted from pets to humans. Once your pet is vaccinated, you’re helping to protect your family, your community, and other animals too.

Vaccines are injections that contain a dead or weakened version of a particular disease-causing organism. When this is introduced to your pet’s immune system, the body learns how to recognise and fight off that specific disease. If your pet is later exposed to the real disease, their immune system is prepared to fight it off completely or significantly weaken its effects. Think of vaccines as giving your pet the tools they need to avoid succumbing to preventable diseases.

Core vaccines are those recommended for all pets, regardless of their lifestyle or where they live. These protect against diseases that have significant illness and death rates and are widely distributed.

For dogs, core vaccines protect against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus (hepatitis), canine parvovirus, and rabies. In Tanzania and other regions where leptospirosis is endemic, the leptospirosis vaccine is also considered core.

For cats, core vaccines protect against feline parvovirus (panleukopenia/feline distemper), feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus-1, and rabies.

Non-core (lifestyle) vaccines are recommended based on your pet’s individual risk factors such as whether they go outdoors, interact with other animals, or live in certain geographic areas.

According to the World Small Animals Veterinary Association (WSAVA), puppies and kittens should receive their first vaccinations between 6 to 8 weeks of age. They will need a series of booster vaccines every 3 to 4 weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. This series is essential because puppies and kittens receive temporary immunity from their mother’s milk, but this protection fades quickly, often before their own immune systems are fully developed. Vaccinations bridge this gap and protect them during this vulnerable period. There is a special schedule for rabies vaccination. Puppies and Kittens should receive a single dose at 3 months (12 weeks) of age.

The frequency depends on the specific vaccine, your pet’s lifestyle, and your veterinarian’s recommendations. Some vaccines provide immunity for several years, while others, such as leptospirosis in dogs, may require annual boosters. For most adult dogs and cats, booster vaccinations are recommended every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine type and your vet’s advice. Your veterinarian will create an individual vaccination plan tailored to your pet’s age, health, and lifestyle

For dogs, common vaccines protect against:

• Rabies — a fatal viral disease that can also be transmitted to humans
• Canine distemper — a viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems
• Canine parvovirus — a highly contagious virus causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms that can be fatal
• Infectious canine hepatitis — caused by canine adenovirus, primarily affecting the liver
• Leptospirosis — a bacterial infection spread through contact with infected urine, leading to liver and kidney damage
• Kennel cough (Bordetella) — a contagious respiratory disease common in places with high dog populations

For cats, common vaccines protect against:

• Rabies — fatal and transmissible to humans
• Feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) — a highly contagious viral disease causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms
• Feline calicivirus and herpesvirus — common causes of respiratory infections in cats
• Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) — a viral infection affecting the immune system

Yes. Even indoor cats can be exposed to diseases. Viruses can enter your home on clothing, shoes, or other pets, and some can survive for long periods under the right conditions. Indoor cats can also be exposed through parasites like fleas, accidental outdoor escapes, or contact with other animals. Additionally, many veterinary clinics require up-to-date vaccinations for hospital stays. Core vaccines like FVRCP (feline distemper, calicivirus, and herpesvirus) and rabies are recommended for all cats, including indoor cats.

Yes. Vaccines are very safe for pets. As with any medical procedure, there is a small risk, but serious side effects are extremely rare. In one recent study of millions of dogs, adverse events were reported in only about 0.2 percent of vaccine appointments or 2 in every 1,000. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks because vaccines not only protect your pet but also reduce risks to humans diseases like rabies and leptospirosis can be passed from pets to people

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, fungi, and other germs develop the ability to defeat drugs like antibiotics designed to kill them. This means that infections that were once easily treatable can become difficult or even impossible to cure. AMR was responsible for nearly 5 million deaths globally in 2023, and the World Health Organisation has listed it among the top ten global health threats.

As a pet owner, you should care because resistant bacteria can spread between animals and humans. When antibiotics no longer work for your pet, treating even a simple infection becomes a serious challenge and the same drugs may also fail when you or your family need them.

Yes. Resistant bacteria can and do transfer between animals and people who come into contact with them. This is why AMR is considered a "One Health" issue. The health of humans, animals, and the environment is all interconnected. When your pet develops a resistant infection, the bacteria can spread through contact, contaminated surfaces, or even through the environment. When you keep your pet vaccinated and healthy, you are not only protecting them but also protecting your family and community from exposure to drug-resistant germs.

You have a vital role to play! Here's what you can do:

• Keep your pet's vaccinations up-to-date — This is the single most important step to prevent infections and reduce the need for antibiotics.

• Only use antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian — Never give your pet antibiotics without a prescription, and always complete the full course as directed.

• Maintain good hygiene — Clean your hands after handling your pet and their waste.

• Provide good nutrition and regular health checks — Healthy pets are less likely to get sick and need antibiotics.

• Isolate sick animals — Keep sick pets away from healthy ones to prevent the spread of infections.