Why Should You Vaccinate Your New Puppy?

Why should you vaccinate your new puppy? Vaccination is the only way to protect your dog against many viral diseases that are very contagious, and can be fatal. Because these diseases are caused by viruses, there is no cure and treatment can be expensive, distressing for both you and your dog, and not always successful.

Vaccinations are crucial to your dog's health. Vaccination programs start at 6 - 8 weeks of age, and boosters are given at approximately 4 to 6 week intervals until the puppy is 18 - 20 weeks of age. The reason for these boosters is that the antibodies the puppy gets from his mother actually interfere with the vaccine's effectiveness. Since these maternal antibodies are lost at different ages in different puppies, we need to give boosters to ensure we have enough protective levels of antibodies in all puppies.

There is now a vaccine available to protect puppies from 10 weeks of age against canine parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis with a single dose (or at 6 weeks and again at 10 weeks if earlier protection is needed). Your vet will advise you of the best program for your dog.

Some of the preventable diseases are:
Canine Distemper - Causes respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurologic signs in affected dogs and can be fatal. Recovered dogs may have permanent damage to their nervous systems. Unvaccinated dogs are at high risk of contracting this highly contagious disease which is spread by discharges from the nose and eyes of infected dogs.

Infectious Hepatitis - It's caused by a viral agent, the canine adenovirus, and is spread through infected urine. The virus may cause liver failure, eye damage and respiratory problems which can be fatal. Commonly encountered clinical signs are vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and occasionally coughing.

Canine Parvovirus - It's caused by parvovirus is both serious and widespread in dogs. Signs, which include severe vomiting and diarrhea with blood, result from the virus damaging the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is spread through infected feces and can lead to death in 48 to 72 hours. Parvovirus infection may also cause bone marrow and heart disease in dogs.

Canine Parainfluenza Virus - It's one of the causes of kennel cough. This respiratory disease is most commonly caused by a virus. Characteristic features of kennel cough are a hacking cough, discharge from the nose, and occasional fever.

Canine Cough or 'Kennel Cough' is a contagious upper respiratory condition that can be a problem wherever dogs group together - especially in kennels. Vaccination with a vaccine that includes kennel cough is recommended for prevention of the disease, and is usually required before your dog goes into boarding and if you are planning on grooming him at a salon.

Vaccines must undergo safety trials and are considered very safe, vaccines can still cause reactions in a small number of pets. Most commonly, dogs or cats will feel tired, may run a fever for 24 to 48 hours after vaccination, and may not eat. In some cats, a small, non-painful lump may form at the site where the vaccine was injected; usually disappearing 4 to 6 weeks later. Rarely, a pet will develop facial swelling or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), maybe accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties and collapse. Anaphylactic reactions are rarely fatal if treated immediately, so call your vet. The incident will be in your dog's records, and the next time, they'll be able to prevent it from happening.

Studies show that vaccines protect dogs for a longer period than previously believed. There have also been many improvements in the type of vaccines being produced, however, there's also increased awareness and concern that vaccinations are not as harmless as once thought. Veterinarians recommend that no needless risks should be taken and that the best way to accomplish that is to reduce the number and frequency of administration of unnecessary vaccines.

There are tests that measure protective antibody levels for diseases that are called titers. Reliable titer tests for some diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus have become more readily available and economical. Veterinarians may recommend using these titer tests in some cases to determine whether or not vaccinations are needed. Your veterinarian can provide you with more information on titer testing.

As is the case with any medical decision, you and your veterinarian should make vaccination decisions after considering your dog's age, lifestyle, and potential exposure to infectious diseases.