Importance And Side Effects Of Dog Vaccines

For any new pet owner, and the owners of new dogs, vaccines are often a matter of some confusion. Which vaccines is the dog supposed to get? What are the vaccines for? Will my dog react badly to them? These are all questions frequently asked.

Most veterinarians will tell you that your dog should be given the DHLPP vaccination around the time that they are weened off their mother's milk. This vaccine covers a number of fairly common canine conditions: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Depending on the veterinarian and the geographical location, your dog may be given only some of these vaccinations. Usually, five of them or a combination of the five are mixed in a single shot to be injected under the skin, once every two to three weeks for about eight weeks.

All these diseases are very difficult to manage once infected, therefore getting immunity through vaccination is the best call for prevention. Unfortunately, some dogs do experience adverse reactions to some of these vaccines. For that reason, many vets have moved from giving this shot yearly, to giving it every three years. All of the vaccines have been shown in limited studies to last more than a year with the exception of the leptospirosis vaccine, which may last less than a year. But unless this bacterial disease is prevalent in your area, it may not be necessary.

Kennels and Vaccines

Many boarding facilities have very strict policies when it comes to admitting dogs. These policies nearly always state that if your dog has not been vaccinated,it will not be boarded. Unfortunately, each kennel may have slightly different rules when it comes to which vaccines your pup will need. Beyond the DHLPP shot, your dog may need to be vaccinated against adenovirus or bordatella.

Because of the great number of dogs coming from a great number of different backgrounds, the likelihood that the animals at the kennel would be exposed to at least one type of communicable canine disease is fairly high. Some viruses, like parvovirus, are very tough and will not die easily. It is transmitted through fecal matter, which is of course all over at a kennel. For this reason it is very important that you not only have your pet vaccinated, but that the kennel require vaccinations.

When is the vaccine effective?

If you are planning on boarding your dog or exposing him to other dogs, it is important that you vaccinate far in advance. Depending on your dog condition, it can take up to 4 weeks for a young puppy to fully build up his resistance after a full course vaccination.

Rabies

Rabies is a particular worrisome disease that unfortunately has no cure for dogs. A rabid dog will be euthanized without question. Vaccination should be a high priority for a dog owner. This vaccine should be administered once between three and six months of age, and again at one year old to ensure immunity. It should also be given yearly. Rabies vaccination will, at the same time, protect family members and assure neighbors about this serious diseases.

Adverse Reactions

Occasionally, a dog will have an adverse reaction to a vaccine it has received. You need to take extra care to monitor your pet condition after every vaccination, making sure that there is no change in his activity level, diet pattern or personality. If the symptoms persist, bring your dog in to the vet as soon as possible.