What Kind of Vaccination Do Dogs Need ?

If there is a dog in the family, it is necessary to think not only about nutrition and care but also about the health of the pet. While walking on the street, she may become infected with dangerous infections transmitted in a variety of ways.

The pathogens can be brought into the house on the clothes or soles of the shoes. Timely vaccination on a calendar will help to prevent the dog from various diseases.

In the article we will discuss the importance of vaccination for dogs, what diseases they protect against, types of drugs and vaccination schemes, contraindications.

Why inoculate dogs

Vaccination for dogs is the most effective way to prevent dangerous diseases, often with serious complications, including fatalities. Inoculation promotes the development of antibodies in the body that form the immune response. Acquired protection provides active resistance to disease for one year or several years, depending on the vaccine used.

Rules for vaccinating dogs

Up to 1.5 months protective antibodies obtained from the mother’s milk are retained in the puppies. Gradually, natural immune protection begins to weaken, so there is a need for vaccination, which forms artificial protection of the body against various infections.

Dogs are vaccinated according to their vaccination calendar from the age of two months. Vaccinations are given according to certain rules. Before the procedure, the dog must be properly prepared to avoid side effects and other undesirable effects of vaccination.

How to prepare a dog for a procedure

Vaccinations are given only to healthy animals. Before being vaccinated, the veterinarian must examine the dog and authorize the procedure.

Preparation of the dog:

Two weeks before vaccination, we need to do antiparasitic treatment, including deworming.
For 7 days before vaccination, check the dog’s body temperature daily.
Exclude contact with other animals for a few days before the procedure.

The owner must monitor the condition of the dog, ensure proper nutrition and control of the situation. In the case of certain signs of disease, the veterinarian should be contacted and the suspected signs should be explained in detail. The doctor will make a follow-up examination and, if necessary, take a test. If the animal’s condition is confirmed, the vaccination will be carried forward until the dog’s full recovery.

Post-vaccination care for a pet

After vaccination, it is necessary to follow some recommendations of care specialists.

What to do:

Limit contact with other animals.
Provide the dog with good food and rest.
On a day after vaccination, any physical activity and bath procedures are contraindicated.

Detailed advice on post-immunization dog care is given by the treating veterinarian.

Types of vaccines

Dogs are inoculated in two ways: living with a weakened virus and non-living. Monovalent and polyvalent vaccines are distinguished according to the number of antigens. The former contain antigens of a single disease. The latter form immunity to multiple infections.

In veterinary clinics, the owner will be offered imported and domestically produced vaccines. Most specialists prefer foreign products that show high efficiency. The cost of such vaccines is somewhat higher than that of national counterparts.

What vaccinations are given to puppies up to the year

In the first year of life, the dog is given 5 compulsory inoculations followed by a re-vaccination within a specified time. At the owner’s request and the doctor’s recommendation, additional inoculations against certain infections from the risk group for a particular animal may be made.

Vaccination schedule for puppies

The most dangerous diseases for dogs are rabies, plague, parvoviral enteritis, leptospirosis, enteritis, parainfluenza, and viral hepatitis. Most of these diseases are highly transmissible and can lead to animal death. Some infections are also dangerous to humans. For example, rabies and leptospirosis affect the liver, kidneys, and stomach.

Vaccination schedule for dogs in their first year of life

For plague, leptospirosis, viral hepatitis, enteritis, and parainfluenza Primary vaccination 8-10 weeks

Revaccination – 11-13 weeks

Repeat vaccination – 6-7 months. and 12 months.

Rabies Primary vaccination 11-13 weeks

Additionally, the dog can be vaccinated against microspores. The recommended age for the planned procedure is 2-6 months of life, the second vaccination is in 2 weeks. Revaccination – every year at intervals of 12 months.

Vaccination of adult dogs

Adult dogs are vaccinated against the same infections as little puppies. After initial vaccinations for a certain period, the organism of the animal has good protection against viruses, but gradually it weakens, therefore it is necessary to carry out revaccination.

Schedule for adult dog revaccination

For plague, paravirtual enteritis and hepatitis Revaccination every 3 years

Coronavirus enteritis, microspores, parainfluenza Annual revaccination at intervals of 12 months.

Revaccination Leptospirosis 1 time in 12 months annually. According to the indications, the terms may be reduced.

Vaccination calendar: rabies vaccination for dogs

Rabies is a dangerous infectious disease that cannot be treated. In the event of infection, the dog dies painfully. The disease is also a threat to humans. To protect the whole family, make sure you vaccinate the pets against rabies on the vaccination calendar.

Vaccination schedule and rabies dog revaccination

First rabies shot 12-13 months

Every year at intervals of 12 months.

Where to vaccinate: at home or in a clinic

You can inoculate the dog at home or a veterinary clinic. The main thing is to enter all the data about the procedure in the veterinary passport of the pet.

Features of vaccination at home and clinic:

Home vaccinations are easier for animals to tolerate. In familiar surroundings, the dog feels safe. Plus, you don’t have to make a trip to the clinic. You have to call an experienced veterinarian. It is very important that he follows all the rules of vaccination and uses quality drugs for administration. The only disadvantage of such a procedure is the additional cost of paying a specialist for a home visit.
Vaccination at the veterinary clinic is carried out in a planned manner. You have to make an appointment in advance. The dog should be transported to the clinic in a private car to prevent any contact on the street with other animals. The cost of the procedure is low.

The owner must consider which of these two options will be the best for his pet.

Exceptions and contraindications

Dogs are vaccinated on a vaccination calendar, but in some cases, the procedure has to be postponed. There are also some contraindications to the vaccination of some animals. Consider this issue in more detail.

When you can’t inoculate a dog:

The animal is sick.
Low Immunity.
Puppies are not vaccinated until two months of life.
During the period of the milk tooth change.
Before viscosity (90 days quarantine after vaccination).
The individual intolerant components of the vaccine have been identified in the dog, which shows an allergic reaction.

Puppies growing up without a mother can get their first vaccination at 6-8 weeks. This is due to a lack of natural immune protection that the baby could not obtain from the mother’s milk.

The timing of vaccination may change due to the epidemiological situation in the area. For example, if an outbreak of certain infections is detected, the dog may be vaccinated ahead of schedule.

Vaccination of dogs: pros and cons

Vaccination of pets is carried out with the consent of the owner, so only he can decide whether to vaccinate the pet or not. According to veterinarians, it is not acceptable to abandon such a procedure. The risk of infection of unprotected animals is very high. The vectors may not be just other dogs or rodents. Some diseases are airborne, get into the house with particles of dust, food, etc. By not vaccinating, you put the life and health of your dog at great risk. The diseases for which vaccinations are given cause serious complications, which may result in the painful death of an animal. To avoid dangerous consequences, you have to listen to doctors and vaccinate the dog according to age.

The disadvantages of vaccination are possible complications following injection. The dog’s body temperature may rise, his appetite may drop, his general condition deteriorates, vomiting and liquid saliva may appear. If side effects are detected, the animal needs to be urgently examined by a specialist. The veterinarian will select a treatment to eliminate adverse symptoms.

Vaccine complications are infrequent and mainly due to improper preparation of the animal for a planned procedure or the use of a substandard vaccine. The doctor must examine the dog before the inoculation. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, choose vetted clinics with a reputation station and qualified personnel.

Should an old dog be vaccinated?

It is believed that a dog should not be vaccinated after 8 years. There are no vaccine guidelines associated with the age of the animal. The only condition is that the animal should be clinically healthy. Therefore, the veterinary physician has the right to postpone or cancel the vaccination, given the animal’s clinical condition, but not based on age. Without an annual vaccination, your dog becomes vulnerable to infection, so the possible damage from vaccination is more than offset by the benefits of vaccination.