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(02) 792-7602 21-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul chungwha77@gmail.com www.cwhospital.com Hospital h ours Mon - Sat : 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Grooming hours Mon - Sat : 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For reservations, call (02) 794-9967. j (02) 797-3040 pethotelm@gmail.com www.thepethotelm.com j Korea Animal Transport (KAT) & Chungwha Animal Hospital The Pet Hotel M Chungwha Animal Hospital A s a result of advances of modern veterinarian medicine, companion animals now have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. A large part of what makes this possible is the availability of vaccines that can protect pets from deadly and infectious diseases. For dogs and cats that are unvac- cinated, however, these diseases still pose a significant threat to their health and well-be- ing. Although vaccine programs have seen a great deal of success in recent years, neither pet owners nor veterinarians can afford to be complacent about the importance of keeping pets up to date on their vaccinations. How do vaccines work? While there is certainly a wide array of vaccines on the market, each tends to work through a similar principle. Most vaccines contain a very small portion of the virus or bacterium that is understood to be the infectious agent. When this material is introduced into the body in a vaccine, the body’s immune system responds through a series of steps that include making antibodies and modifying other cells that will recognize the target organism later. When the individual encounters the “real” agent after re- ceiving the vaccine, the body recognizes the harmful agent and draws from these preexist- ing stores of antibodies to protect itself from becoming sick. Itaewon Station Exit 4 Chungwha Apt. Exit 3 Why do I need to vaccinate my pet? Column by DR. LIM-GWON KaNG why does my pet need vaccines? Basically, vaccination is an important weapon against infectious diseases. Some diseases, such as rabies, are transmis- sible to humans, so protecting your pets also protects your family members and community. Even pets that spend most of their lives in- doors or have very limited contact with other animals are not completely safe from expo- sure to infectious diseases. In cats, for ex- ample, panleukopenia is a potentially fatal in- fection and can spread through contact with bodily fluids (mostly urine and feces) from an infected cat. Panleukopenia can live in the en- vironment (such as on contaminated bedding, food bowls, litter boxes and other items) for a very long time, meaning that the infection can continue to spread long after the original host has moved on. which vaccines does my pet need? Factors to consider include your pet’s lifestyle (how much time your pet spends outside), where you live, where you travel with your pet and how much contact your pet has with other animals. Your veterinarian may want to discuss modifying the vaccine recommenda- tions to ensure that your pet is well protected. what is the recommended schedule for vaccines? Puppies and kittens generally receive their first vaccines when they are around six to eight weeks old, depending on the vac- cine and manufacturer’s recommendations. Booster vaccines are generally given during your puppy or kitten’s checkup visits; your veterinarian can discuss the recommended schedule with you. Some vaccines must be repeated annually, while others only need a booster after the first year before switching to a three-year booster schedule. Vaccination remains one of the most impor- tant services your veterinarian offers, and al- though it is a routine procedure, it should not be taken for granted. Vaccination also allows a regular opportunity for your veterinarian to perform a physical examination, which is very important for keeping your pet healthy. Pro- tecting patients is your veterinarian’s primary goal, and developing an appropriate vaccine protocol for your pet is as important as any other area of medicine.