Caring for your dog is important to the pet’s health, and a good owner will want to prevent them from coming down with serious diseases like Lyme Disease, rabies, and hepatitis, all of which can be prevented with vaccinations. Veterinarians are now looking into additional vaccinations that can prevent flu-like symptoms from appearing in certain dog breeds. You may be interested in reading about some of the vaccines your dog may need at some point in his or her life.
What are Vaccines?
A vaccine helps prevent an animal from contracting serious diseases. Vaccines will strengthen a pet’s immune system and help them fight against diseases that can be deadly to their health. The vaccines may need to be administered over a course of time to properly strengthen the dog’s body against the disease. Since vaccinations can become costly, you may need to pursue financial relief through specialized companies. (eg: Pet Premium)
Getting Started With Vaccines
Each dog breed will have different diseases and health risks that owners must understand. If your dog is at-risk for developing health problems, they may need to visit the vet frequently for additional vaccinations and medications. Puppies need to be administered a series of vaccinations to protect them against parvovirus, distemper, rabies, and hepatitis. It is important to keep proof of vaccinations, especially the rabies vaccination, as it is required by law.
Important Vaccines
You should talk to your veterinarian about which vaccinations your dog will need. However, there are important vaccinations every dog is required to stay current with, rabies being among the most vital.
According to the ASPCA, the most important vaccinations include canine parvovirus, hepatitis, rabies, and distemper. Other vaccinations will vary based on different factors, including the age of the dog and where you live. These non-core vaccinations include Bordetella bronchiseptica, Leptospira bacteria, and Borrelia burgdorferi.
While a rabies vaccination is the only legally required vaccine, there are other types your dog may need. One common vaccine is called the 7-way vaccination. This vaccination is used to prevent a dog from contracting Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Lepto, and Coronavirus. Without this vaccination, a dog can become vulnerable to serious illnesses like distemper (a virus passed from dog-to-dog that can end up causing serious respiratory illnesses like sneezing, coughing, fever, and lethargy).
Viruses and Their Effects
- The parvovirus causes diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. In puppies it can quickly lead to death.
- Hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver, which usually leads to serious illness and often death.
- Lepto leads to infections, which normally manifest themselves with signs of jaundice, such as yellowing of the whites of the eyes. The dog will experience fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. It usually causes long term damage to a dog’s liver and kidneys.
- Coronavirus is not as significant of a risk as other viruses like parvovirus and distemper, but can still be deadly. It manifests itself as vomiting and diarrhea before damaging the intestines. With proper treatment, the dog will be able to overcome the symptoms in about a week.
Vaccination Risk
Most dogs revoer properly from vaccinations. There are some that may experience mild symptoms, including fever and soreness at the injection site. It is important to consider how vaccinations will not only protect the dog, but the owner as well. Vaccinations are the best option you have to protect the dog, and prevent your pet’s potential diseases from affecting others. Speak to your veterinarian about the different health risks you are concerned about with your dog. They can recommend treatment options and will care for your dog’s health to ensure they live a long, healthy life.
