Types of Vaccinations Your Puppy Should Have and When

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It is a good idea to have your puppy vaccinations at an early age since puppies are very susceptible to different diseases. This way your pet will be protected against infectious diseases. This is especially true for animals that may be spending time in kennels or travelling abroad.

If the mother of your puppy is immune your puppy should be protected against most diseases. For the first few weeks of their life they will be protected by the mother's milk. However, this does not last for very long and then your pup will be susceptible to different types of infectious diseases. Since dogs are very social animals they need to be protected so they can play among others dogs.

Distemper is usually the first vaccination given to your puppy. Distemper is a virus that can cause respiratory distress and seizures which can lead to death. You pup will need to get a distemper shot through out the different stages in his life. Sometimes some of the symptoms are loss of appetite, a discharge from the eyes and nose, lethargy, and fever.

Kennel Cough is another vaccination that your puppy will need. It affects the bronchi and trachea of dogs and makes them have a loud dry cough. This is not a fatal disease but it is very contagious. This can be considered an optional vaccination. If you live in an area which has a high rate of Kennel Cough you will definitely want to get this vaccination to protect your pup. Consult with your veterinarian they will be able to tell you if the rate in your area is high.

The vaccination for Leptospirosis if given through out your dogs life and is usually given in combination with other vaccines. This is not a very common disease and larger dogs seem to be more susceptible to this disease. This disease affects the liver and kidneys of dogs.

The Parvovirus vaccination is recommended for almost all dogs. This is a very serious disease and can cause serious vomiting, dehydration and bloody diarrhea. This virus affects the white blood cells in dogs and can harm their immune system. It has been found that some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to Parvovirus than others. Doberman Pinscher's and Rottweilers are two of the most common breeds that seem to be affected by this disease.

Most dogs are vaccinated for Lyme disease if the disease is prevalent in their area. Lyme disease is very prevalent in warmer climates and areas where it is warm and humid. Your pup should be vaccinated for this disease if you plan on doing any type of traveling with your pet. It will cause severe arthritis and lethargy in your dog and can recur once your pet has been infected. It is not a fatal disease and usually can be treated with antibiotics.

There has been some debate over whether dogs are being over vaccinated or given too many different kinds of vaccinations. You want to be sure that you protect your puppy from common diseases that can affect them over their lifetime. Talk to your vet and ask their advice on which shots they would recommend for your breed of dog. Where you live will also play a part in what vaccinations your pet should have.

Once a year when you take your pup in for their annual examination your veterinarian will administer booster shots to ensure your pet is protected against disease. Some vaccinations will provide three years protection such as the vaccination against parvovirus. Consult with your vet to see which booster shots are needed for your breed of dog and for the area in which you reside.

Pet insurance is like having health insurance on yourself, it is there when you need it for those unexpected large health-related bills. By having this kind of insurance you can ensure that your four-legged loved ones will get the best treatment if they are ever injured or seriously ill. They don't have to be puppies to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.

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Source by Karen Corey

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