Vaccinations Dog Owners Should Know About

Vaccines are a crucial part of preventative health care for your pets. If you are a pet owner, it is essential that you have them vaccinated for the following diseases. This includes a new puppy or a dog that you adopt later in life.

Vaccinations will help your pet live a long, healthy life. (Photo: iStock)

Having a pet insurance policy is the best way to avoid costly vet visits. Be sure to get this veterinarian’s pet insurance review to help you make the right decision. These vaccines are designed to prevent certain diseases from occurring in your dog:

Core vaccines for dogs

These are vaccines that you should consider getting for your dog while they are a puppy in order to protect their long-term health. They include the following:

• Rabies: This is a fatal viral disease that will attack the dog’s nervous system and that can be passed to humans. The first vaccine needs to be given at three to six months with a booster shot given one year after that. Your dog will need to have boosters each year, or every three years, depending on the statutes in your area.
• Distemper: This is a type of viral disease that can be fatal and affects the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract, and in some situations the nervous system. The first dose of this vaccine needs to be given right after a puppy is weaned and goes to their new home. This vaccine should only be used once and in puppies.
• Hepatitis/Adenovirus: This is a vaccination that protects dogs from adenovirus type two and adenovirus type one. Type one causes infectious hepatitis, which will affect the liver and other organs. The second type causes a respiratory illness and can cause a dog to develop kennel cough. This vaccination should be given at the eight to 12 week mark and then a booster at 16 weeks.

The importance of dog vaccinations

The bottom line is that vaccines are a crucial part of your dog’s long-term health. However, you also need to discuss your particular dog’s needs with your vet, since not every dog will need to be vaccinated for every disease. There are some breeds of dog that are at a higher risk for certain diseases. Also, factors such as travel habits, lifestyle, environment, age and medical history will impact your dog’s need for the vaccinations listed here.

When you take proper care of your pet, they will live a long and healthy life. These vaccines are a crucial part of ensuring your pet does not develop these often life-threatening diseases. If your dog is commonly kenneled or around other dogs, these vaccines are even more important.

Articleby Carroll Arnold