WHY DO PUPPIES AND KITTENS REQUIRE A SERIES OF SHOTS AND HOW MANY DO THEY NEED?
When a baby animal is born, it does not have a mature immune system. This means its immune system cannot respond to a disease or vaccine by producing antibodies. Nature has a built in protection for its babies to keep them safe until their immune system matures. This built in protection is called “maternal immunity”. The baby’s own immune system does not mature until six weeks. Maternal Immunity: The first milk a mother produces is called colostrum. Colostrum is a rich milk full of antibodies produced by the mother. How long these maternal antibodies last in the body is variable. However, we know they disappear as early as 6 weeks and no later than 16 weeks. Maternal Immunity Interference: While maternal immunity provides excellent disease protection to babies, it has one side effect. As long as maternal antibodies remain in the body, the baby’s immune system will not respond to a vaccine. It is for htis reason that puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines! Because we know mate
