What You Need To Know About Dog Vaccinations

Dog vaccinations have been the subject of much debate lately. Some believe booster shots are given too often and may even be harmful. Others insist that they are necessary to protect dogs from deadly diseases.

Whichever side of the fence you stand on, the fact is that few experts dispute the need for vaccinations. Millions of dogs receive these every year, and only a miniscule percentage show any adverse side effects.

And while today's vaccines may not be perfect, they do offer a great deal of protection. An unvaccinated dog is at serious risk of infection, so why chance it? Until science can conclusively prove that vaccines are dangerous or ineffective, it definitely pays to have your dog vaccinated.

Dog vaccinations protect against the most common canine diseases including, parvovirus, distemper and rabies. The initial shots are given to a puppy between the age of 6 and 8 weeks. Thereafter shots are given at scheduled intervals until the pup is 15 weeks old. Booster shots are then given annually, although some veterinarians recommend once every three years.

The core set of vaccines are normally administered together, and are commonly called a 5-in-1. This gives protection against;

Distemper: A deadly disease that causes convusions, seizures, and failure of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It is highly contageous and spread via contact with discharge from the nose and eyes of an infected dog.

Canine Hepatitis Virus: An extremely dangerous disease that is spread by contact with the saliva, urine or faeces of an infected dog. It affects the abdominal organs and spreads rapidly, causing death within 6 to 10 days of the initial infection.

Leptospirosis: This is a serious bacterial disease that is transmitted by coming into contact with the urine of an infected dog. It causes extensive damage to the digestive tract, the liver and kidneys, and has a very high mortality rate.

Parainfluenza: Spread through the air, or through physical contact, this is a common and highly infectuous form of kennel cough.

Canine Parvovirus: A viral disease that is often deadly to puppies and older dogs. It attacks multiple systems including the intestinal tract, lymph tissue and the immune system.

As well as the core vaccines, your dog will usually need a bi-annual rabies shot.

Why Dog Vaccinations Are Essential

There are a number of reasons why vaccinations are essential. The main one, of course, is your dog's well-being. But there are other important reasons too, and even some legal requirements.

Whether you want to enrol your dog in obedience courses, take him to doggy day care, or put him in kennels, you'll have to provide a vaccination certificate. Ditto if you want to take your dog with you on your travels, or book into a pet friendly hotel. In addition, proof of vaccination is a licensing requirement in many cities.

These are all valid reasons for having your dog vaccinated, but the most important reason of all is still the quality of life of your pet.