Should I Get My Dog Vaccinated?

Should I get my dog vaccinated or not? If you are facing the same dilemma, then think about the health issues your dogs can face without the vaccine. Different vaccines are available for different dogs that can help them avoid any life-threatening disease in the future. You never know what health problems can kill your dog, it is better to be prepared than turn a blind eye to the situation.

Why is the Vaccine Important for My Pet?

For some pet owners, vaccines are just unnecessary expense and by the time they realize how important vaccines are to improve the overall quality of health of their dogs, it is already too late. It is important to know that our furry friends are very much susceptible to any deadly contagious disease because there are very high chances of them coming into contact with contaminated soil or other infected animals.

Dogs are highly social beings who are supposed to go out once in a while and the outside environment contains many bacteria, viruses, and fungal infections that may be proven deadly for your pooch. Even if you keep your pet locked in the house, there is no guarantee that they will be safe from these deadly diseases, this is why you should get vaccinations done soon enough.

What are the Benefits of Pet Vaccination?

There are numerous benefits of pet vaccination, some of which are mentioned below:

• It prevents serious diseases from affecting dogs. Younger dogs are more susceptible to getting such diseases because their immune system is not fully developed, which makes vaccination very important for them.

• Vaccines may not be cheap but their cost is nothing compared to the cost of medications and treatment when your dog will be suffering from life-threatening disease, so keeping your dog vaccinated is a financially smart decision.

• Some deadly diseases like rabies can affect dogs as well as humans, so getting your dogs vaccinated will keep both you and your furry friend safe.

• Vaccinations are mandatory in some states, so getting your dog vaccinated will keep you safe from legal trouble.

• Vaccination is not for the safety of your dog, it is for the others’ safety as well. Deadly diseases spread fast because of infected dogs so it's better to get them vaccinated.

Different Pets Require Different Vaccines

There are many types of vaccines available but not all pets need all vaccines. It’s good to get your pet vaccinated but you need to know what vaccines are best for your dog. There are several factors you need to consider like the age of your pet, breed, and the kind of lifestyle your pet has adopted. There are several places in the US and Canada where rabies vaccines are required for pets by law when they reach the age of 6 months. There are different requirements for different dog vaccines. There are various young and adult dog vaccines.

How Pet Vaccines Work on Your Dog?

You can understand how pet vaccines work on your dog with the help of the points mentioned below:

• Vaccines allow your dog to develop a strong immunity system against highly contagious and deadly diseases by providing them with a defensive level of antibodies.

• A disease-enabling organism is introduced into the dog’s body after vaccination. This organism stimulates the immune system. In simple words, vaccination prepares the body of your dog to fight many deadly diseases in the future.

• Your pet will fight off the illnesses and recover rapidly after getting infected after getting vaccinated.

Core Vaccines for Dogs

Core vaccines for dogs protect against many life-threatening diseases. In the United States, it is recommended for most dogs. Animals who are already infected are major carriers of such diseases. Some of the diseases core vaccines protect against are mentioned below:

Canine Distemper

It is a virus that generally spreads if your dog comes into contact with the fresh urine of an infected animal. Canine distemper does not just affect the respiratory system, but it also attacks the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. It can cause seizures and shaking in the dogs. Core vaccines protect your adorable pooch from such a deadly disease.

Canine Hepatitis

Canine distemper is not the only deadly disease that can be caused because of unhygienic conditions. If your dog comes into contact with the feces or urine of an infected dog, it can be subjected to another deadly disease known as canine hepatitis. Common symptoms of canine hepatitis are cell damage in the liver and swelling. This disease can lead to hemorrhage and even death. You can protect your dog from this disease simply by getting your dog vaccinated.

Canine Parvovirus

It is another one of those diseases that can spread through coming in contact with the feces of an infected dog. It is an extremely contagious and life-threatening virus but you save the life of your dog with the help of core vaccines.

Rabies

It is one of those diseases that can be transferred to people from their pets. It is very deadly for pets as well as humans. Acute encephalitis, which means inflammation of the brain is caused by this disease. This virus infects the entire nervous system of the person or animal, which results in eventual death.

How Often Should I Get My Dog Vaccinated?

Dog vaccination schedules vary for both young dogs and adult dogs. The first round of DHPP for young dogs is conducted when they are 6 to 8 weeks old, a second dose is given around 10 to 12 weeks of age, a third dose is given when your pup is 14 to 16 weeks old, and booster dose is given after the last puppy dose. The first dose of rabies is given around 12 to 16 weeks of age, and a booster is given 1 year after the initial dose.

Dog vaccination schedules work a little differently for adult dogs. Boosters for DHPP or rabies are given to them every 1 to 3 years. Noncore vaccines are provided to young or adult dogs only if the vet recommends them. You need to get your dog vaccinated if you want your pooch to lead a healthy life.