What You Must Know About Vaccinations For Dogs!

Vaccinations For Dogs

When you bring the little fluffy puppies to your home, all you want is to keep them healthy and growing. Just like us, puppies also need vaccinations to prevent certain diseases which can be life-threatening. Although it might seem annoying to visit the veterinarian every now and then for the vaccinations as well as the booster doses, these are truly life-saving for the little pups.

While your vet will be the ideal person to guide you about puppy vaccination and boosters, you should also have some basic information about what vaccinations your puppy needs and which diseases will be prevented by them. Usually, vaccination starts from the 6^th week of the puppies, but you should better ask your veterinarian about the schedules. Here is the list of vaccinations your puppy will need.

1. Rabies:

This fatal disease does not only affect the canines, but humans can also be infected by this disease if they get bitten by a rabies-affected dog. It attacks the central nervous system and the symptoms include excessive salivation, anxiety, hydrophobia, paralysis and death. Rabies injection is usually given when puppies are 3 months old. As there is currently no medicine for this disease, prevention is the only effective way to protect your pooch and yourself from this horrible disease. A booster dose is required for rabies vaccination and your vet will schedule the shots for your pup.

2. Distemper:

Canine Distemper is a virus known to attack the respiratory, nervous and the gastrointestinal system of dogs. The disease primarily causes fever, runny eyes and nose, diarrhea, paralysis and is mostly fatal. Between 6 and 16 weeks, puppies are given 3 doses of distemper vaccination. After completing this primary series, puppies need a booster after one year.

3. Parvovirus:

Parvo is a virus that affects the gastrointestinal system causing vomiting, loss of appetite, fever and bloody diarrhea. If the disease is left untreated, it can cause extreme dehydration and cause death within 3 days. Therefore, it needs to be prevented. Just like Distemper, Parvovirus doses are given between 6^th and 16^th week of a puppy. If Parvovirus attacks, the canines should be kept well dehydrated. There is no medicine to alleviate the disease.

4. Bordetella Bronchiseptica:

Coughing, vomiting and whooping are the symptoms when a canine is infected by the bacterium called Bordetella Bronchiseptica. Primarily known as Kennel Cough, this disease is highly contagious. Although not fatal, this disease can cause death in young puppies. 2 doses of this vaccine are required to protect the puppies. Boosters are usually given every six months. The vaccination includes nasal or oral medicines as well as intravenous injections.

5. Lyme Disease:

This tick-borne disease causes the lymph glands to swell. High temperature and loss of appetite are the two other symptoms of this disease. If not treated, this disease can affect the heart and kidneys. The vaccination is usually given when the puppy is 9 weeks old. Booster doses are usually given annually before the tick season starts.

6. Canine Hepatitis:

Adenovirus Type 1 is the vaccine that prevents this fatal disease. Canine Hepatitis damages the liver and the symptoms include vomiting, jaundice and the enlargement of the stomach. At least 3 doses are given to the puppies between 6^th and 16^th week.

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