Vaccination of pets can immunize them against certain infectious diseases that can be fatal. It is therefore an essential preventive care that ensures good health for your pets.
What does the law say about this? Against which diseases to vaccinate your animal? When to vaccinate? We tell you everything.
Summary
Vaccination of pets: What the law says ?
In most developed countries like France, some major infectious diseases have become rare in the pet population. However, there are still pockets of infection that could lead to new outbreaks.
What are the compulsory vaccines for animals in France?
In France, the legislation does not clearly define a list of diseases for which pets must be vaccinated. Nevertheless, in some special cases, vaccination against rabies is required. For example, if you have a attack dog, guard or defenseyou are required to carry out this vaccination.
According to article L223-15 of the Rural and maritime fishing code, rabies vaccination is mandatory for all domestic carnivores in a department officially declared infected with rabies. Similarly, anti-rabies vaccination is compulsory by law for animals traveling outside of France.
What are the rules that anti-rabies vaccination must respect?
It is the Order of October 10, 2008 which defines the conditions and procedures for the anti-rabies vaccination of domestic animals. This decree requires in particular theuse of an inactivated virus vaccine which has obtained marketing authorization.
Good to know : a distinction is made between inactivated virus vaccines (non-infectious) and activated virus vaccines (infectious).
As well, vaccination must be carried out on an animal older than 12 weeks. Note that vaccinated animals must be identified and have a valid European passport.
What diseases should you vaccinate your dog and cat against?
Dogs and cats are among the most common pets in France. To ensure their well-being, there are certain essential vaccines that are recommended to be administered to them.
Which vaccines for dogs?
Essential dog vaccines are those that provide the animal with protection against infection from the following viruses:
- Rabies virus;
- Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV);
- Distemper virus (VMC);
- Canine adenovirus (stroke; type 1 and 2);
- Parvovirus type 2 (PVC-2) and its variants.
For these last four viruses, veterinarians offer thee basic combination vaccine DHPP. Obviously, additional vaccines may be considered essential depending on the health status of the area. For example, vaccination against LeptospiraLyme bacteria and kennel cough can be recommended.
Which vaccines for cats?
In cats, the essential vaccines recommended are those which protect against rabies, feline panleukopenia (FPV), feline herpes virus type 1 (HVF-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). The basic combination vaccine PRC protects against these last three viruses. In addition, it is advisable to carry out a vaccination against the leukemia virus (FeLV).
Read also: Adopted cat: how to take care of it?
How does vaccination work in dogs and cats?
You should have your pet vaccinated by an animal health professional. There are vaccination schedules to follow to provide optimal protection. How is it for dogs and cats?
Vaccination in dogs
In puppies, essential vaccination normally begins at six to eight weeks of age, then every two to three weeks until 16 weeks of age. A booster vaccination can be carried out at the age of 12 months or 12 months after the last vaccination.
This ensures that a protective immune response has actually developed at the animal level. Booster doses are also applied at 26 or 52 weeks. The following are administered to intervals of three years or longers.
However, vaccines against Leptospira, Lyme bacteria and kennel cough require more frequent boosters for reliable protection. You may therefore need to vaccinate your dog every year..
Vaccination in cats
Generally, the vaccination program for kittens is in line with that for puppies, whether essential vaccination or booster vaccinations. For cats at low risk of exposure to HVF-1 and CVF, revaccination every 3 years is recommended.
In the particular case of Feline Leukosis virus, your cat should benefit from vaccination protection with 2 doses of vaccine 2-4 weeks apart. This treatment applies from the age of 8 weeks.
How much does pet vaccination cost?
The cost of vaccinating a pet, your region of residence, the type of animal and its vaccination schedule. By way of illustration, for dogs, the average price of a vaccination is €56 and the maximum price can be €178. For a complete vaccine at the level of the cat, it is necessary to plan between 75 € and 80 €.
To conclude, the vaccination of pets is not regulated in France for all viruses. Vaccines to be given to animals differ as diseases vary from animal to animal. It is also for this reason that it is recommended to always call on a veterinarian to monitor your animal.
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