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New Years' Resolutions for Pet Owners
Jan 1, 2005 New Years' Resolution for Pet Owners: Keep All Pets Up-to-date on Vaccinations Fort Myers, FL (1/1/05) -Between the holidays and the beginning of the New Year, many people add new pets to their families. There is no better time than the present to make sure that new family members have a healthy start in life. Pet vaccinations and preventive care lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy living. The most important vaccination needed is for the prevention of rabies. This fatal virus is transmissible between all warm-blooded mammals including humans. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by Florida State law to be vaccinated against rabies between three to four months of age. A first-time rabies vaccination is good for one year. Some veterinarians offer three-year vaccines after the initial vaccination has been administered. Failure to vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets also carries a penalty. Citations for failure to vaccinate can cost pet owners between $75 and $500. Based on population statistics and the number of pet-owning households, Lee County Animal Services estimates that only half of the 126,000 dogs and one-fifth of the 294,000 cats in Lee County are vaccinated for rabies. Reducing the number of unvaccinated pets will be a major initiative for the agency in 2005. County officials urge pet owners to begin the year by having all new pets vaccinated and by making sure that all their pets are on a current vaccination schedule. While not all diseases are transmissible to humans, many are still potentially fatal to pets. Establishing a vaccination program when pets are young and highly susceptible to contagious diseases is critical. Common diseases to vaccinate dogs for are distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. Diseases for which cats need immunity are panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus. These viruses and bacterial infections affect the organs and upper respiratory tracts of cats and dogs. Based on the pet's individual needs, other vaccinations may be recommended by a veterinarian. Ensuring that one's pets are free from parasites is also important to their health. Fleas and ticks, which are quite common in the Florida climate, can spread disease. Left untreated many of these diseases can be fatal. Additionally, heartworm prevention is a must in Florida. This disease, spread by mosquitoes, is fatal to dogs if left untreated. However, prevention is the best and most effective way to fight heartworm disease and far less expensive than treating the disease once it has been contracted. Lee County Animal Services provides animal control services throughout Lee County and operates an animal shelter to house stray and abandoned domestic animals. It also administers low-cost spay/neuter programs, educational initiatives, and rabies and bite case control programs. The shelter is located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway next to the Lee County Sheriff's Dept. For information regarding vaccinations or legal requirements call 432-2083 or visit Lee County Animal Services' online at www.LeeLostPets.com. Photos of lost of pets and pets available for adoption also may be viewed online. |