pet vaccinations.

Trish Hamme, Flickr Pet vaccination can be a confusing subject for even the most conscientious pet owner. Should you vaccinate your cat? How can shots protect your kitty's health? To get the expert scoop on the subject, Paw Nation spoke with veterinarians Kristen Nelson, author of "Coated with Fur: A Vet's Life," and Christine Bellezza, co-director of the Feline Health Center at Cornell University. When and why should pet owners vaccinate their cats? The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommends that kittens start getting their shots at around 6 to 8 weeks of age, the time when the immunity they received from their mothers starts to wane. "It's important to vaccinate ...

Ouch! That's a lot of shots. Photo: Squid!/Flickr Owning a pet comes with its fair share of questions. Indoor or outdoor cat? Moist or dry dog food? The latest conundrum: Booster shots or not? Recently, the long-practiced belief that an animal should be given annual booster shots has come into question. Some say, at its most innocuous, the practice of "over vaccination" doesn't do as much damage to a pet as it does to a pet owner's wallet. At its worst, though, some say over vaccination may be the cause of tumors, allergic reactions, numerous types of infection and autoimmune diseases. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently explained in literature available online ...