Dog Vaccinations

What Shots Your Dog Really Needs, And When

Dog vaccinations are a part of responsible pet ownership. Just as children are vaccinated against tragic diseases, allowing their body’s immune system to prevent the disease, your companion canine needs protection against serious canine disorders. These protect your pet as well as people and other animals which your pet comes in contact with.

Puppy Vaccinations

Vaccinations for pups begin at six to eight weeks of age. At that time, a vaccination called DHLPPC is given and boosters are given every three to four week until the pup is 16 weeks old. After that, a yearly booster is given. The DHLPPC vaccination covers a wide range of diseases. Distemper, hepatitis or adenovirus-2, lepospirosis, Para influenza, parvovirus, and corona virus are the diseases covered by this series of injections, each initial letter making up the acronym by which the injections are commonly known.

Distemper is a highly contagious virus and can easily lead to death in young dogs. Pups are more likely to suffer distemper than adult canines. Symptoms are upper respiratory infection with fever and possibly some neurological symptoms. Because the virus is so deadly, distemper shots are very important to the health of your canine companion.

Hepatitis or adenovirus-2 is spread through the urine and feces of other animals with the disease. Liver and kidney damage result from this virus. Some victims die but others survive but must live with chronic illness. Signs of the disease include lethargy, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, fever, and pain when the abdomen is palpitated.

Leptospirosis is another disease that affects the kidneys and liver. It is contagious to animals and humans and is a fatal disease. It is spread through contact with urine of animals with the disease. Canine symptoms include dehydration, jaundice, high fever, and lack of energy.

Para influenza is a virus causing infection of the upper respiratory system. It is spread when one canine contacts the nasal secretions of another infected dog.

Parvovirus affects the digestive tract, causing vomiting and severe diarrhea. It is contagious and passed from canine to canine through feces contact. If treatment is not quickly sought for an infected canine, death occurs rapidly. Puppies, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers seem to be more susceptible to this deadly virus.

Corona virus is another virus that attaches the intestinal tract causing vomiting and diarrhea as well as dehydration. To avoid this virus, clean up any feces from other dogs that may appear in your yard and keep your pet vaccinated.

Once the series of DHLPPC booster shots are completed, it is time for the pup’s first rabies shot. Each year, dog vaccinations against rabies are required. Unvaccinated dogs contract this deadly disease. Proof of your pet’s rabies shots is legally required to be made available should your canine bite someone. Because rabies is deadly in humans, if someone is bitten by a pet and rabies shots are not current, the person must undergo a lengthy, painful series of shots in order to potentially save their life. Your pet can also be quarantined if you can not prove rabies shots are current.

Puppy vaccinations aren’t the end of the responsibility of dog owners. Adult and senior canines need to remain current on shots as well.

Every adult companion canine needs booster shots for parvo and distemper. Because adult and older pets are not as susceptible to these two diseases, some veterinarians now believe semi-annual boosters are sufficient. Other vets continue to recommend annual boosters.

If you plan to have your companion boarded or placed in a kennel while you must be away, or if your pet comes in contact with a large number of other canines, a nasal spray or injection to protect against bordetella, also known as kennel cough, may be a good idea. While the disease is seldom fatal, it can be difficult to cure and prevention is always wise.

Dog vaccinations for giardia and a booster three weeks later should be given annually to any companion canines that drink water from streams, ponds, creeks, or any other potentially contaminated source. Canines living in the country are prime candidates for this vaccine.

Dog vaccinations are crucial to the longevity and health of your beloved pet. Just as you would not consider failing to vaccinate your child against polio and smallpox, don’t let your canine friend down by failing to provide proper shots at the proper ages and repeat as required or recommended by your pet’s healthcare professional.

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