Dog vaccinations and what you should know a Guide

Dog vaccinations and what you should
know: Guide
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When puppies first come into the world,
they are exposed to all manner of nasty
bacteria. Thankfully, nature has an
ingenious way of protecting puppies from
the worst of them; very young puppies are
typically protected from infections by their
mother’s milk – provided the mother
herself has had her dog vaccinations.
However, this protection doesn’t last
forever. After a couple of months, it
becomes time for additional injections.
There are two of these and in puppies they
are typically administered when the puppy
is between eight and ten weeks old. This
should stand the puppy in good stead for
at least a year, after which, a booster will
be required.
As a dog ages, the immunity offered by
these initial shots may fall into decline. It is
advisable in most cases that an additional
booster be administered annually. A vet
will be able to offer additional advice.
What exactly is my dog being
inoculated against?
Not all vaccines are the same; some will
guard against diseases which others will
not. Generally speaking, however, a
number of diseases will be covered,
including:
◾Parainfluenza
◾Parovirus
◾Distemper
These diseases are hardly household
names; indeed, the vast majority of people
have never heard of them. These disease
are uncommon, largely thanks to a
widespread program of vaccination.
Is this a reason to not bother vaccinating?
Of course not. As rare as these diseases
may be, there is still a chance that your dog
may come into contact with them – and
the results can often be fatal, especially
since the average vet has barely any
experience with them. Why go through the
heartbreak later down the line when you
can protect your dog now before anything
happens in the first place?
Do I really need to give my dog an
annual vaccination?
The efficacy of annual vaccinations is much
disputed outside of vetinary circles. The
most enduring of these theories is that
vaccinations are a cynical ploy on behalf of
the pharmaceutical industry, in order to
persuade concerned pet owners to part
with their hard-earned cash.
It is unclear whether these concerns are
warranted. As with any theory of this type,
it is impossible to disprove that this is the
case. If you are suffering from doubts, then
a chat with your vet may assuage them.
You should, however, be aware of a
number of points which are often cited as
reasons to avoid vaccinating – and also the
arguments against them.
◾Adenovirus
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Rareness of the diseases
This objection has already been
mentioned and is perhaps the most
widespread: the diseases these annual
vaccines protect against are extremely
rare. But this is only because they have
been vaccinated against. Indeed, areas in
which vaccination is not widespread suffer
from greatly increased numbers of dogs
suffering from the diseases in question.
This is further evidence, if any were
needed, of the efficacy of vaccination.
Mutation
Like any biological organism, successive
generations of the virus can mutate and
thereby evolve to combat preventative
measures. In humans, this evolution takes
place over an incomprehensible span of
time. Viruses, however, are much shorter
lived – a year is enough time for an
enormous number of virus generations.
Consequently, new strains of a virus,
resistant to a vaccine, may emerge. It is
important, therefore, that dogs are
protected against these new strains. The
best way of doing this is by regularly
vaccinating.
Are vaccines harmful?
Another popular idea is that vaccines can
actually cause harm than good. Needless
to say, there is little substance behind this
objection. These vaccines are among the
most vigorously tested of all animal
medications. Even if a minute risk were to
be present, it would be vastly outweighed
by the risks of not vaccinating.
That said, vaccination does, in some
instances, bring about some side effects.
Though these instances are rare, dog
owners should be aware of the possibilities
before proceeding.
What are the side effects of
vaccination?
In the overwhelming majority of cases,
vaccination will incur no adverse side
effects at all. If you have ever been
vaccinated against flu yourself, you will
have an idea of what to expect – you will
feel a little under the weather for a day or
so, after which you’ll be fine.
In some cases, the vaccine will produce a
little bump where the needle went into the
skin. While this may be slightly
uncomfortable for the dog, it is no cause
for alarm – and it should vanish entirely in
a matter of days.
There are, however, some cases where a
vaccination will produce a more serious
reaction. These are a kind of allergic
reaction known as anaphylaxis. The
consequences of these reactions can be
incredibly serious and in some instances,
fatal. For this reason, the dog should be
monitored in the days following an
injection. If your dog should begin to
vomit, or collapse, or go into seizure, then
they should immediately be rushed to the
vet.
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All of this probably sounds alarming for
those considering getting their dog
vaccinated. While anaphylaxis is
undoubtedly one of the most serious
conditions a dog can face, it is worth
stressing again the rareness of such an
outcome following an injection. Of the
millions of dogs who are vaccinated every
day, only a tiny fraction suffer from
anaphylaxis.
Are these the only vaccines I need to
give my dog?
The annual refresher vaccination is an
important measure toward protecting your
dog from disease, but it is not a catch-all
solution. Other vaccinations may be
required in other special circumstances.
Similarly, when you are travelling to
foreign countries your dog will need to be
protected against other diseases, such as
rabies and against parasites transmitted
through mosquito bites, like the often fatal
heartworm. If you intend to take your dog
somewhere new, then speak to your vet
about the required and recommended
vaccinations – they will be able to advise
you which, if any, are needed.
For example, if your dog has to visit a
kennel, they may be exposed to other
dogs, some of which will carry diseases. It
is advisable, therefore, that such dogs are
vaccinated against kennel cough – a highly
contagious disease which thrives in
kennels and whose symptoms can persist
for weeks on end.
Beeston Animal Health Ltd.,
Whitchurch Road,
Beeston Castle,
Tarporley,
Cheshire,
CW6 9NJ
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