HomeTwice each year, in March and again in October, the Bastrop County Animal Shelter offers discounted vaccinations and microchipping services. Click here for more information about the upcoming clinic on March 20th. You can save time at the clinic by downloading the registration form and completing it before your visit to the shelter.
Is it important to vaccinate?
Yes! Pets should be vaccinated to protect them from many highly contagious and deadly diseases. Experts agree that widespread use of vaccines within the last century has prevented death and disease in millions of animals. If an unvaccinated pet develops one of these diseases, treatment can become very expensive and many of these diseases can be fatal despite treatment. Even though some formerly common diseases have now become uncommon, vaccination is still highly recommended because these serious disease agents continue to be present in the environment. It is also important to remember that pets can be vaccinated for some zoonotic (pronounced ZOE-oh-not-ick) diseases, which are diseases that can be spread from animals to people. For example, rabies is a serious, often fatal, disease that can spread from infected animals to people. By vaccinating your pets for rabies, you are protecting your family as well as your pet (American Veterinary Medical Association).
There are several vaccinations available to help keep your pet healthy. A rabies shot, which is required by Texas law, can be administered to a dog or cat as early as 3 months of age. Animals most likely to transmit rabies include skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and bats. Distemper, which can infect both cats and dogs, is another contagious disease for which there’s a vaccination. Pets of every age are susceptible, but the very young and old have the highest death rates. Puppies and kittens require an initial shot at 6 to 8 weeks of age, and then a booster shot 3 to 4 weeks later. Both rabies and distemper vaccinations are given annually.
In the case of dogs, distemper vaccinations are generally given as a combination vaccine that also includes protection against Parvo virus. Once the virus is contracted, the disease progresses rapidly. Characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, dark or bloody feces, and in severe cases fever and lowered white blood cell counts, Parvo virus death rates may be as high as 80%. Another vaccination for dogs protects against Bordetella, commonly known as “kennel cough.” Kennel cough is an infectious bronchitis and is analogous to a chest cold for humans.
Should I microchip my pet?
Microchips offer a second line of defense in reuniting you and your pet. They are miniature transponders that contain a registration number and phone registry unique to each brand of chip. To learn more about microchipping and its benefits, contact the your local shelter.
