YARMOUTH, Maine , Jan. 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yarmouth Veterinary Center is using the dawning of the new year to remind pet owners of the importance of ensuring that their pets' vaccinations are up to date. Dr. Louise LeBoeuf, DVM, and her team have been raising awareness about the fact that vaccinations not only keep pets and people healthy, but that certain vaccinations are required by law in the state of Maine. "There are very good reasons that Maine requires some pets to be vaccinated," said Dr. LeBoeuf. "Most pet owners are conscientious about their pets' health and well-being, but it's very easy to forget that certain vaccinations require booster shots every few years," she added.
The 7 MRSA 3916 and 3922 are Maine statutes regarding vaccinations and pets. Specifically, the statutes dictate that dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Booster shots for the rabies vaccine are required every three years, so at the very least, pet owners must ensure that their pets are up to date with that particular vaccination. The law states that if an unvaccinated pet experiences a known exposure to rabies, they must either be quarantined for six months or euthanized. The distemper vaccine is also considered to be a core vaccine, and many non-core vaccines are strongly recommended--especially for pets that go outdoors or are boarded regularly.
Just as with vaccinations for people, vaccinations help to prevent pets from contracting contagious diseases like kennel cough, feline leukemia and rabies. If a vaccinated pet does contract a disease, their symptoms are likely to be far less severe, and the duration is likely to be much shorter too. What's more is that vaccinations reduce the risk of a pet spreading contagious diseases to other animals, so it is very good for community health in general.
Yarmouth Veterinary Center provides a complete array of vaccinations for dogs, cats, reptiles, bird and small mammals like ferrets, rabbits and rodents. Dr. LeBoeuf recommends vaccinations for all of these pets, even if they are technically indoor pets. "Indoor pets sometimes get outside," she said. "Also, bats sometimes get into homes, where they can infect pets with rabies. The bottom line is that it's much better to be safe than sorry."
The easiest way for pet owners to ensure that their pets are up to date on their vaccinations is to bring them in for routine annual checkups. The clinic checks the pet's records to see if they are due for any vaccinations or booster shots, and they can be administered during the appointment for pet owners' convenience and peace of mind. "Vaccinations are very affordable, and they're among the best ways to maintain the health and well-being of a pet," said Dr. LeBoeuf.
Yarmouth Veterinary Center is located in Yarmouth, Maine, and serves residents of that town and surrounding communities. Contact the clinic at (207) 846-6515.