Vaccination and its
Important Role in a Dogs
Life
Active immunization is
the introduction into the
body of killed or satisfied
microorganisms or their
products for the purpose of
stimulating the bodys
defense mechanism. This
concept is also applicable
to other species like the
dogs.
Before, the area of
veterinary medicine has not
yet realized the potential
benefits of vaccinations.
Until recently, veterinary
experts have formulated
certain solutions so as to
combat the alarming
increase of death in digs,
in which, most of the
causes are viral
infection.
With the inception of
vaccinations, many dogs
were saved from probable
death brought about by many
diseases like
leptospirosis, hepatitis,
upper respiratory
infections, and
parvovirus.
Like humans, dogs need
vaccinations too even at an
early age. That is why it
is important to immunize
puppies so that they will
survive until they are
fully grown up.
Basically, puppies get
their immunity from their
mothers milk, which is also
the same as that of human
beings. However, these
immunities tend to lose its
effects by the time the
puppies are already 6 to 20
weeks old. So, it is during
this time that they have to
be immunized.
Hence, in order to
protect the puppies against
infectious diseases, it is
best to give them their
shots and should be
re-immunized after 3 to 4
weeks. In this way, the
puppies will be able to
endure any infectious
disease that may come their
way.
Rabies and
Immunization
Rabies is an acute and
almost invariably fatal
disease communicated to man
through the saliva of a
rabid animal, usually dogs,
foxes, squirrels, and
bats.
Dogs, fortunately,
always present evidence of
the disease before becoming
infective. The etiologic
agent is an
ultramicroscopic virus
present in the saliva and
the central nervous
system.
The course of rabies in
dogs is characterized by an
incubation period of 20 to
30 days. This is followed
by a period of excitement,
when the animal becomes
vicious. The excitement
stage may be evident at all
or may be entirely absent.
Paralysis then develops,
first involving the hind
legs and thereafter
becoming general. Death
occurs within 10 days
following the first
symptom.
Alternatively, the
effects of rabies in human
beings can be very fatal as
it is with dogs. Hence, in
order to avoid these
problems, it is best to
have your dogs vaccinated
with anti-rabies shots.
Consequently, rabies
vaccines can be given
during the 16th to the 26th
week of the puppies. This
requires a follow up shot
one year after for total
protection.
On the other hand, dog
owners should take note
that not all vaccinations
will generate adverse
effects on their dogs. So,
it is best to always
observe your dogs every
after vaccination. When
certain reactions occur
like vomiting, facial
swelling, or trembling, it
is best to discuss these
matters immediately to your
veterinarian.
Moreover, certain
precautions should also be
made when the age of the
dogs are taken into
consideration. For some
guides regarding this
matter, here are some
tips:
1. The age of
puppies
It is best to consider
the puppies age before
subjecting them to their
shots.
For puppies that are 4
to 20 weeks old, their
first shots should be given
during their 6th to 8th
weeks of age. The last
shots shall be given on the
14th to 16th week of age.
These date apply to all
primary vaccines.
For rabies, puppies
should be 16 to 26 weeks
old.
2. For dogs that are 20
weeks old up to 2 years
old
During this age, dogs
should have received their
booster shots already. This
is essential so as to
lengthen the immunity of
the vaccines in the dogs
system. At this stage,
additional vaccines are
recommended for added
protection such as vaccines
against bordetella and
other newer vaccines.
3. For dogs that are
older than 2 years
By this time, the dogs
should have been through
with their booster shots.
What comes next is the
annual revaccination. These
kinds of vaccines are still
recommended so as to
lengthen their protection
against certain
diseases.
The bottom line is that
vaccinations are extremely
important to your dogs
life. Like the way it
functions in human beings,
vaccines are needed in
order to protect the dogs
from imminent risk of
acquiring diseases brought
about by viruses.
With dog vaccines, you
can be assured that your
dog will be at its peak of
health for a longer period
of time, free from any
life-threatening diseases.
Indeed, with vaccines every
life is lengthened.
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