Puppy & Dog
Vaccinations - Prevention is
Better than Cure
Canine vaccinations are the most important preventative measure
you can take to reduce the risk of disease in your pet. Many
diseases can be fatal so it is imperative that a Vaccination
program is carefully considered together with a Health Care
Schedule for your puppy or dog. Canine diseases are transmitted
via contact with a virus or bacteria. The vaccinations for canine
diseases are explained in some detail below but you have the
choice of deciding which canine vaccinations are appropriate for
your individual dog or puppy with one exception - it is mandatory
in the US for dogs to have a vaccination for rabies. Your choice
will depend on risk factors associated with your dog's health,
lifestyle and environment. Once these decisions have been made you
can formulate a Vaccination Schedule.
Puppy & Dog
Disease Information -
Vaccinations available
Your dog can be immunized for the following diseases:
Immunization the most important
preventative measure you can take to reduce the risk of disease in your
pet. The cost of vaccinations can be obtained from your local Canine
Health Advisor. Planning an individual vaccination schedule tailor-made
to requirements of your dog or puppy can reduce the cost of vacinations
as no dog will require all of the vaccinations which are available.
It is mandatory in the US for dogs to have a vaccination for rabies.
Puppy & Dog
Vaccinations - A Dog
& Puppy Vaccination Schedule
No dog requires every single canine vaccine that is available.
Tailor a Vaccination Plan to suit your puppy or dog by conducting a simple
Risk Assessment - consider your answers to the following questions and
this will help you to formulate your own ideas for an individual Dog or
Puppy Vaccination plan and schedule. Address these questions to each of the canine
diseases for which your dog or puppy may be vaccinated:
What age are the dogs most at
risk from the disease?
Are certain breeds of dogs are
most at risk from the disease?
Ease of transmission to other
dogs?
Is there potential for
transmission of the disease to people?
Is there a high mortality rate
associated with the disease?
Will the life style of your
puppy or dog increase the risk of contracting the disease?
Current health status of your
dog and any medications?
What is the vaccination history
of your puppy or dog?
Take time out to consider the
above questions and you will be ready to discuss some informed ideas with
your Vet. Your Veterinary Surgeon will be pleased that you have taken the
trouble and will provide you with his/her professional advice, opinion and
recommendations on immunization for your dog or puppy.
Puppy & Dog
Vaccinations - Core and Non-Core Vaccinations
The trend towards planning an individual immunization program for
Dog and Puppy vaccinations have lead to the process of dividing
vaccinations into two groups:
Canine Core Vacinations -
vaccines recommended for administration to all dogs
Canine Non-Core Vacinations -
recommended for only those dogs at risk due to anticipated health
problems or whose lifestyle or environment gives rise to a reasonable
risk of exposure
Puppy & Dog
Core Vaccinations - What are they?
Examples of the Core Vaccinations include vaccines against:
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
Hepatitis
Canine Parvovirus
All US dogs must be protected
against Rabies
There are combination vaccines
such as the Four in One vaccine which includes protection from the viral
diseases of Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus.
Puppy & Dog
Non-Core Vaccinations - What are they?
Examples of the Non-Core Vaccinations include vaccines against:
Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Parainfluenza
Lyme Disease
Leptospirosis
Puppy & Dog
Vaccinations Information - How do Pet Vaccinations actually work?
Pets and people have vaccinations but how many of us actually know
how they work?
A vaccination mimics the
process of the disease
A weakened form of the virus is
injected into the body
The immune system is triggered
into producing antibodies
Antibodies protect the body
against the disease
The body remembers the virus
The body will better respond to future
exposure to the virus
More, appropriate antibodies
will be produced
Canine Dog Health - Information and
Care Checklist
As the saying goes prevention is better than cure and detecting
early signs of any potential dog health problems will obviously
help to ensure the well being of your dog or puppy. Basic
observation of a dog or puppy will alert its owner to changes in
the normal behavior of the dog and that something is amiss. A
straightforward check of the dog will help to confirm any
suspicions of ill health. We have therefore provided a simple
Dog Health Care Checklist
to assist in this process.
Puppies,
Vaccinations & Wormers
Puppies are especially at risk from various diseases as their
immunity is so low. Puppies receive immunity from certain diseases from
their mother before weaning, if she has been vaccinated. After weaning,
when puppies are eating on their own they need to be vaccinated as soon as
possible. Canine Parvovirus is particularly deadly to young puppies. The
above info on creating a Dog Vaccination Plan and schedule with a Veterinary
Surgeon will help to ensure the safety of your puppy. It is essential that
you are provided with a vaccination history when you purchase a puppy. It
is common for puppies to have worms so a basic wormer for Roundworms and
Hookworms is recommended with the first vaccinations.
Dog Health
Advice
We hope that the canine health information and dog health advice
in relation to Puppy & Dog Vaccinations has been of some assistance.
Please remember that dog or puppys Vaccination Plan should be
created in consultation with your Canine Health
Specialist.
