Looking forward to becoming a dog parent? Before you adopt or foster, here are basic dog vaccinations you need to know about to keep your pet healthy. Typically, young puppies carry immunity against most diseases from their mother’s blood. However as time goes on, this immunity wears off.
Just like human babies, you must vaccinate puppies and adopted dogs as soon as you take them in. Mostly due to their unknown histories. The antigens in vaccines will help immunize against these diseases:
8 Dog Vaccinations That You Should Know
Canine distemper
A serious disease that affects the respiratory, digestive and nervous system, canine distemper is highly contagious and can cause death. This is an important dog vaccination and might require booster shots as prescribed by your vet.
Rabies
A viral disease that affects the nervous system, rabies is contagious and can result in fever, seizures, paralysis, hydrophobia and death. Puppies need an initial vaccination around three months of age. This may also require booster shots and regular re-vaccination as prescribed by your vet.
Parvovirus
This is a contagious disease that spreads via direct or indirect contact with an infected dog’s feces. Symptoms include severe vomiting and diarrhea which can lead to death. This is one of the most important vaccinations for pet dogs in India.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is an infectious disease and it affects the liver. The virus causes weakness, appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea. This can develop quickly and can be fatal for puppies.
Leptospirosis
This is a bacterial disease transmitted by rodents. It affects the functioning of the liver and kidneys. Consult your vet and administer this vaccine based on your dog’s lifestyle and risk factors.
Corona Viral Enteritis
Canine corona virus is a contagious disease that attacks the intestinal tract causing fever, vomiting and appetite loss. Consult your vet for the vaccination schedule.
Deworming
Intestinal worms tend to affect dogs and puppies more commonly than we think. This can cause appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. Untreated worm infestations can be dangerous for your dog. Routine de-worming according to the schedule prescribed by your vet will ensure your dog stays healthy in the long run.
Para Influenza
A respiratory illness spread usually by contact with other dogs. Your vet may recommend this vaccine depending on your dog’s lifestyle and history. Booster shots and re-vaccination might be required.
Do dog vaccinations in India have side effects?
Typically vaccines have only mild after-effects such as pain or discomfort that wears off in a few hours. In rare cases, dog vaccines can have other side effects such as lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation, fever or breathing difficulties. If you notice severe abnormal side effects, get your dog to the vet immediately.
Are there exceptions to vaccines?
Vaccinations may need to be deferred for dogs that are sick, pregnant or immuno-compromised in some way. Keep your vet well-informed of your dog’s history prior to vaccination.
Can my dog be over-vaccinated?
In recent years, there have been studies that suggest that dogs may not need re-vaccination for certain diseases. Also, there’s growing concern about the possible side-effects of vaccinations such as itching and inflammation, as well as the dangers of over-vaccinating senior dogs. However, there is also the counter-view that the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risk.
Before making any decisions on basic dog vaccinations, be sure to do a lot of research. Also, it’s best to consult a veterinarian you trust since these decisions can have a huge impact on your dog’s well-being.
Note: This is a generic article for informative purposes only. Consult your veterinarian for the latest standards in vaccination schedules and dog care.
