Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your family is exciting and full of joy. Along with playtime, cuddles, and training, one of the most important responsibilities of pet ownership is ensuring your new companion receives the proper vaccinations. While some pet parents may consider delaying or skipping early vaccines, doing so can leave young pets vulnerable to dangerous diseases.

Why Early Vaccines Are Essential

Puppies and kittens are born with underdeveloped immune systems. In their first few weeks, they rely on antibodies from their mother’s milk, but this protection fades quickly. Vaccines help build their own immunity during this crucial stage of life. Without timely vaccines, your pet is at a much higher risk of contracting preventable illnesses.

Diseases That Threaten Unvaccinated Pets

• Parvovirus (Parvo): A highly contagious virus in dogs that can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and often death without aggressive treatment.

• Distemper: A serious and often fatal disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

• Rabies: A deadly virus that can affect both cats and dogs, and is also a risk to humans. Rabies vaccination is legally required.

• Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper): A highly contagious virus that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and dangerously low white blood cell counts in kittens.

• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): A common and life-threatening disease in cats that weakens the immune system and leads to secondary infections.

Risks of Skipping or Delaying Vaccinations

• Weakened Immunity: Without vaccines, your pet cannot build the strong immunity needed to fight off harmful viruses and bacteria.

• Increased Exposure: Young pets are naturally curious and come into contact with other animals, people, and environments where diseases may spread.

• Severe Illness or Death: Many of these diseases can quickly become life-threatening, especially in young pets.

• Legal & Boarding Issues: Rabies vaccinations are required by law, and most boarding facilities, groomers, and training programs require proof of vaccination.

Protecting Your Pet and Your Community

Vaccinating your puppy or kitten not only protects them but also helps prevent the spread of disease to other animals in your community. Skipping vaccines puts your pet, other pets, and even people at risk.

Schedule Your Pet’s Vaccines Today

Early vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to safeguard your pet’s health and give them the best start in life. By keeping your pet on schedule with their vaccines, you’re protecting them from serious illness and ensuring they live a long, healthy life.

Contact Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center to schedule your pet’s vaccines today. Visit our facility in Cave Creek, Arizona, or call (480) 595-8600 to book an appointment.