Vaccinations are a principal part of your furry friend’s preventative healthcare, offering an unmatched immunity boost against potentially life-threatening diseases. Keeping pet vaccines up-to-date is an ongoing process that keeps them safe, healthy and ready to take on the world, though it can be an expensive undertaking.
With comprehensive pet insurance, you’ll enjoy beneficial financial assistance for most things veterinary related. Do vaccines fall into this category? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Let’s dive in.
Everything you need to know about vaccines
As a responsible pet owner, walks, pats, cuddles and nutritious feeds aren’t the only aspects of the job. Vaccines add an incredible layer of protection that ensures your dog or cat will grow and thrive with confidence. They also increase your safety as a pet owner by minimising the transmission risk of any pet to human conditions.
Usually in the form of a painless injection, pet vaccines function very similarly to many human vaccines in that they contain a pathogen-like stimulant that readies your companion for the real thing. This allows their immune system to instantly recognise the true disease if it’s ever exposed and strike it down as if it isn’t its first rodeo.
For kittens and puppies, three vaccinations in their first six months of life are routine. Even then, these don’t provide lifetime protection against preventable diseases, often requiring routine boosters to ensure enduring protection. Scheduled yearly vet check-ups offer the perfect opportunity to implement a steadfast vaccination program.
There are two kinds of pet vaccines in Australia:
Core vaccines
Vaccines that every dog or cat must receive that cover preventable diseases that are present worldwide. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) states that regardless of location, breed, age or circumstance, core vaccines are a must.
Core vaccines help tackle:
- Canine adenovirus
- Canine distemper
- Canine and feline parvovirus
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpesvirus
Non-core vaccines
Vaccines that differ based on environment, location and lifestyle. In certain parts of the world, or even the country, some protection just isn’t required, but it’s recommended that you check with your vet to mobilise a plan reflective of your situation.
Non-core vaccines can protect against:
- Bordetella
- Lyme disease
- Canine influenza
- Feline leukaemia
Vaccines and pet and insurance
Does Australian pet insurance offer cover for vaccinations? The answer is: not usually.
Most basic and comprehensive policies only go as far as accident and illness cover, providing financial security for things such as hospitalisation, surgery and medication. Vaccines frequently fall into the “optional cover” category alongside dental care, desexing and other preventative treatments.
Many Australians make the mistake of assuming vaccinations are a common part of standard pet cover and are surprised with the unforeseen expenses that these routine treatments bring. When considering pet insurance for your companion, ensure you are aware of the cover limitations and look into pet extras accordingly.
Pet vaccines and ExtrasJar
It’s all in the name. ExtrasJar comes out swinging when it comes to extras cover and gives you the freedom to invest in your cat or dog’s vaccinations as required. As with most pet insurance offerings, it’s not included in our base insurance, but our revolutionary extras investment model allows you to be financially secured from the jump and even more so in years to come!
Not just exclusive to vaccinations, our pioneering Pet Extras Card offers you roll-over coverage for many non-insured items like dental care and routine check-ups. Don’t be smacked in the wallet by surprise costs at the counter as you do what’s best for your pet, ExtrasJar is offering flexible, personalised and sustainable care without a deep dig into your savings.
The easiest and best way to protect your pet
At ExtrasJar, we understand there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to pet cover, so we revolutionised the system. With respect to the unique needs of your furry best mate, spend your money the way you want in the way that they truly require it.
Find versatility and discover true control with ExtrasJar today.
