Keep your dogs protected against infection and they can enjoy
socialization withour risking diseases
Puppies require a series of vaccinations starting at about 6-8 weeks with a booster every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old. At that time, the puppy is old enough for its first rabies vaccination. After that, immunizations get renewed annually, and some veterinarians may recommend vaccination only every 2-3 years.
However, all dogs should get annual rabies boosters—and a general checkup. Rabies is less prevalent than most of the diseases regularly vaccinated against but is so devastating that most localities insist on all pets getting rabies boosters annually.
A common combo vaccination, DHLPPC, covers six diseases: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and coronavirus. Many of these diseases can either kill your dog outright or leave it damaged for life.
- D = Distemper is highly contagious. Young puppies are more susceptible than adult dogs; at one time, distemper was the leading cause of death in puppies.
- H = Hepatitis or Adenovirus-2, spreads by contact with the urine and feces of infected animals.
- L = Leptospirosis, spread through contact with urine of infected animals, affects the liver and kidneys. Animals with this disease are contagious to other animals and humans.
- P = Parainfluenza causes an influenza-like upper respiratory infection, spread through contact with nasal secretions of infected dogs. While probably mild in itself, it can make your dog susceptible to other respiratory ailments, like bordetella, which may keep your dog coughing and ill for up to three weeks, and could lead to pneumonia.
- P = Parvovirus attacks the intestinal tract; dogs contract the virus through contact with an infected animal’s stools. This virus is very common and puppies who are not properly vaccinated are often afflicted. As Oprah tragically found out recently, the vomiting and diarrhea can kill a puppy, even with prompt treatment.
- C = Coronavirus has similar mode of attack and syptoms to parvovirus.
Your vet may also recommend some other protections:
- Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, is an upper respiratory infection and usually not fatal—but a pain to shake. Your veterinarian can help you decide if this vaccination is necessary for your dog.
- Lyme Disease: If you walk your dog(s) in wooded or brushy areas and know of positive Lyme disease cases in your area, ask your vet about this vaccine. A deer tick must stay attached to your dog (or you!) for 1-2 days to transmit this tick-borne illness, so checking your dog (and yourself …) daily for ticks to help prevent Lyme disease. Ask your vet for a good tick preventative also.
- Giardia infects dogs—and humans—who drink contaminated water from ponds or creeks. The vaccine consists of an initial dose, with a booster 3 weeks later and then annually.
Is every year too often for boosters? Whatever your concerns about vaccinations, talk with your vet. If you don’t get answers you’re comfortable with, you might want to check with another vet. And remember that even if your dog isn’t getting vaccinations, annual checkups allow your vet to spot developing health problems early—an especially important task for older dogs, which may develop heart or kidney problems—but younger dogs can develop problems, too.
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