Here's everything you need to know about vaccination requirement, benefits, side effects, and dosage for pet immunization. Since it is essential to protect your vulnerable pet from diseases, vaccination is the key. Here is a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about Dog Vaccination and Immunization: A Comprehensive Guide!
Importance of Vaccinating Dogs
Vaccines contain essential antigens that are dormant disease-causing pathogens, injected into your pet. These vaccines immunize your dog and prepare him to fight against diseases in the future. It is a preventive solution to protect your pet from Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Rabies, and other fatal infections.
Prioritizing the Health
Vaccination is crucial for the health of both- pets and owners to protect against diseases and infections. Since young pets have weak immunity, they are most prone to diseases. Likewise, adult pets also need an immunity booster to maintain good health. Zoonotic ailments like rabies and leptospirosis can spread from animals to humans, especially to children and the elderly with chronic diseases. So pet vaccination is unavoidable!
Legal Obligations
It is legally advisable to get your pet vaccinated, especially against fatal diseases like Rabies. A non-immunized pet can be harmful to both, the owner as well as the society. If your unvaccinated dog bites another person, you might be liable to compensate for the medical expenses incurred by the victim. Moreover, if you wish your pet to make the most out of public facilities like railways, you are required to carry all the vaccination paperwork with you. With more and more offices becoming pet friendly, getting him vaccinated is the only way you can take him to work.
Easy on Pocket
To save yourself from spending on hefty hospital bills, medical expenses, and veterinarian fees, getting your pet vaccinated in advance is a must. Vaccines might not always be cheap, but the costs of the treatment for identifying and curing illnesses are much higher. Without any second thought, invest in dog vaccination to ensure appropriate health for your pet.
What Vaccines Do Pets Need?
Core Vaccines
The obligatory vaccines that protect against severe and contagious diseases are known as core vaccines. Considering the risk of exposure, severity of disease, and communicability to humans, core vaccines are a must for all pets. For diseases like Rabies, Canine Parvovirus, Distemper, and Hepatitis, core vaccines can be taken.
Non-Core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are optional and vary depending on the pet’s exposure, lifestyle, geographic location, and interactions. These vaccines deal with diseases like Bordetella or Kennel Cough, Influenza, Lyme, and Leptospira.
Vaccination Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage
|
Vaccine |
Benefits | Side Effects |
Dosage |
| Rabies | Prevents conditions like seizures, hallucinations & paralysis | Mild fever, loss of energy & appetite for 24 to 36 hours after vaccination | One dose at 3 months, Annual dosage |
| Distemper | Protects respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs | Soreness, mild fever, facial swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, or collapsing | At least 3 doses between 6 - 16 weeks |
| Parvovirus | Prevents life-threatening vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration | Pain, itching, lethargy, loss of appetite, behavioral changes, and tenderness | At least 3 doses between 6 - 16 weeks |
| Adenovirus type 1, Canine Hepatitis | Protects from infectious liver diseases | Lethargy, inflated stomach, and pain | 6 weeks and then at 2 - 4 week intervals |
| Adenovirus type 2, Kennel Cough | Prevents respiratory diseases | Pain, redness, headache, muscle or joint pain’ fever, chills, upset stomach, feeling tired | At least 3 doses, between 6 - 16 weeks |
| Parainfluenza | Prevents dry hacking cough, and inflammation of the larynx, bronchial tubes, and trachea | Mild sneezing, coughing, or nasal discharge | 6-8 weeks and then every 3-4 weeks until 12-14 weeks |
| Bordetella bronchiseptica | Prevents pneumonia and bronchitis | Malaise, lethargy, discomfort & fever | 6 - 8 weeks |
| Lyme disease | Protects kidneys, nervous system, and heart | Vomiting, Diarrhea, Hives, Facial swelling, itching, breathing issues, lethargy or weakness | First dose at 9 weeks, second dose 2-4 weeks later |
| Leptospirosis | Prevents kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress | Muscle ache, runny nose, skin rash, redness, swelling, irritation & sore throat | First dose at 8 weeks, second dose 2-4 weeks later |
| Canine influenza | Prevents respiratory diseases | Fever, lethargy, appetite loss, nausea, discomfort, swelling, hives & rashes | 11-14 weeks, Annual dosage |
Why Should You Vaccinate Your Pup?
Newborn pups are highly prone to infections because of weak immune systems. Feeding on mother's milk can be a good option but the protection by maternal antibody is not long-lasting. The only way out is by injecting antibodies which eventually build their immunity against viruses in the long run. Regular vaccinations help puppies remain free of infections and prevent them from transmitting contagious diseases. Puppies are vaccinated when 8 - 10 weeks old; the second dose is given at 2 - 4 weeks.
What Are The Side Effects of Vaccines On Your Pet?
After being vaccinated, your pet might develop mild side effects within a few hours. If the effects persist for more than a day or two, consult your veterinarian. In 2-5 days, you may notice symptoms like discomfort and swelling in the injected area, mild fever, decreased appetite, sneezing, mild coughing, and other respiratory problems. There might be allergic reactions like vomiting, diarrhea, itchy skin, swelling around the face, neck, or eyes, difficulty in breathing, collapsing, etc. noticeable within hours of vaccination.
Fev Pet Syrup is a unique combination of herbs that tackle fever, inflammation, or uneasiness in pets. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, immunity boosting, and herbal properties help to reduce inflammation, improve platelet count, and fight against fever, viral and bacterial infections.
Hope you could learn the insights on Dog Vaccination and Immunization: A Comprehensive Guide. To explore more such tips and tricks for effective pet care, tap here.
FAQs for Dog Vaccination and Immunization: A Comprehensive Guide
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What are the most common pet vaccines?
Some of the commonly recommended pet vaccines are Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Canine Hepatitis, Kennel Cough, Parainfluenza, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Canine influenza, etc.
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Can my pet show side effects after being injected?
After being vaccinated, a pet might show side effects like uneasiness, fever, weakness, respiratory and digestive issues, discomfort, and swelling. However, consult your veterinarian if these issues do not settle within a day or two.
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What are the types of vaccines a pet requires?
There are essentially two types of vaccines - Core and Non-Core that are required by a pet. Core vaccines protect against severe illnesses, whereas non-core vaccines vary depending upon the risk exposure of the pet.
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When can a pup be vaccinated for Rabies?
A pup must be vaccinated with an anti-rabies vaccine at 3 months. Afterwards, the annual dosage of the vaccine can be scheduled upon consulting the veterinarian.
