When you bring your pup home from the shelter or the breeder, they are ready to go! They’ve had a wellness check-up, their vaccinations, and they’re healthy and ready to join their new home. You want your new family member to get the best medical care and to receive everything they need, but you may be apprehensive about their next vaccine appointment. Do you need to go through the hassle of getting your pup vaccinated?
1. Vaccines Are Pup-portant
When you choose to vaccinate your dog, you’re protecting them from a host of diseases. Your dog is playful and curious, but he can interact with a rabinous animal that can bite them. You don’t want your best paw-pal to contract rabies because it’s incurable. By vaccinating your pooch, you’ll also be protecting yourself and anyone your canine interacts with.
The Bottom Line: Vaccines protect your dog and you and they can give you peace of mind about your pooch’s health! If you decide not to vaccinate, you’re leaving your dog’s health up to the chance that he won’t get infected with something harmful. Choose safety over chance!
2. What Vaccinations Will You Need?
- Rabies Vaccine
This vaccine protects against rabies, which leads to brain inflammation and eventually to death. It can be spread through saliva. Symptoms can manifest within 2 days to 6 years . . . Once symptoms occur, there is no cure for rabies. Providing your dog with protection will allow you to be safe from getting infected from your canine.
- Distemper
Like rabies, there is no cure for contracting distemper. You can only treat symptoms, such as cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. It can be airborne and caught in shelters or from being in close contact with outdoor animals.
- Parvovirus
Also known as “Fifth Disease,” it can be spread through contact with dog feces. It attacks the intestines and causes your dog to be dehydrated and weak and can be fatal.
- Adenovirus
Also known as “Canine Hepatitis.” This illness can only be spread from dog to dog. The VCA says that it can present itself with a host of symptoms and as with other viral infections, there is no set treatment for it.
3. “Optional” Vaccines
- Bordetella
Also known as “kennel cough,” Bordetella protects your dog against a bacterial infection that causes respiratory illness. This vaccine can be considered a core or non-core vaccine, depending on how often your dog is around other animals. If they’re in close contact at a boarding house, frequently at the park, or at doggy daycare, then this vaccine is necessary to protect your pup from unnecessary respiratory distress. It works twofold to protect your wallet from any unwanted medical bills.
- Leptospirosis
Dogs can get Leptospirosis, which is transmissible from pooch to human. Leptospirosis can destroy liver function and be fetal for fetuses in expectant (human) mothers if it’s not detected early enough. It’s not something you should ever need to worry about!
- Canine Influenza
The “dog flu.” It’s a contagious respiratory illness in dogs that can be treated with cough suppressants. This vaccination comes with a booster shot 2 to 4 weeks after the initial dose. Such as with COVID-19, you want to make sure they receive the follow-up shot for prime protection
- Lyme Disease
Humans can get it and so can dogs, primarily through ticks! Some dogs can have it without showing symptoms, but for the dogs that do have symptoms, it presents as: vomiting, weight loss, increased urination fluid buildup, and eventually kidney distress.
- Rattlesnake Vaccine
This vaccination is location-dependent and should be given if rattlesnakes are prevalent in the area. If you don’t live in rattlesnake territory and plan on traveling and or camping in an area where they could be thereabout, consider getting your dog this shot for extra protection! Rattlesnake bites can be very painful and potentially life-threatening, especially if the bite isn’t detected right away. Pups are prone to exploring new areas, so they might unknowingly explore a snake’s habitat
4. Aftercare
Your dog might be sore from the shot and sore at you for bringing them to the vet. Reward your pup with toys after taking them to get their vaccinations. Providing them with treats immediately before and after going to the veterinary office will help your dog positively associate the experience with rewards, instead of painful vaccinations.
Having a Ball
Your pup may not know how to talk, but their tail wags, playful demeanor, and continuing cuddles show their deep appreciation for you. Only you can continue to provide the care that they depend on.
