Core Canine Vaccines

Canine vaccines are a modern way of preventing disease and the spread of disease among dogs. There are canine vaccines that are required by law, vaccines that provide immunity for widely spread infectious diseases and optional vaccines (such as those against lyme disease or leptospirosis).

The vaccination plan for your pet should take into consideration not only the compulsory vaccines, but also vaccines against particular viruses or parasites that are known to infest your area or diseases that the breed of your dog is more vulnerable to. The right intervals and the number of vaccine boosters that a dog should receive throughout his life are variable and can be established with your vet. Vaccination typically starts in the 4th or 6th week of the puppy's life, and he will receive shots every to 3 4 weeks until he is 16 weeks old, or even older in some larger breeds.

Core Canine Vaccines

Rabies vaccination is compulsory for dogs all over the world as rabies can be transmitted to humans. Distemper and parvovirus are also core vaccines for dogs, because these diseases are usually deadly for puppies.

Rabies Vaccine for Dogs

Rabies vaccination is usually given last, when the dog is 16 weeks of age, in one single shot. Until the age of 16 weeks it is considered that the puppy is protected by the mother's antibodies. Revaccination will be performed after 1 year and then boosters are given every 3 years.

Rabies virus is transmitted through saliva (usually when the dog bites) and it affects the nervous system resulting in death.

Not vaccinating your dog against rabies can result in fines. If your dog is not vaccinated against rabies and happens to bite a human, he will surely be put into quarantine and may even be euthanized.

Distemper Virus Vaccination

Distemper has become rare in dogs since distemper vaccination is typically administered in all dogs.

In vaccinated dogs there are almost no more distemper cases.

However, once the dog has been contaminated with the distemper virus, chances of survival are minimal. Distemper vaccination is performed at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks. Boosters are given annually.

Adenovirus Type 2 Vaccination

This vaccine protects against one of the causes of kennel cough and also of infectious canine hepatitis. Puppies receive this vaccine when 8 weeks old, then at 12 weeks and 16 weeks. Boosters are also annual.

Canine Parvovirus Vaccination

Parvoviral enteritis is a common condition in puppies that are not vaccinated. There are breeds that are more vulnerable to the parvovirus infection: Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinchers and Labrador Retrievers. This virus attacks the intestines and can result in immune suppression. This vaccine is give at the same time with the other core vaccines and repeated once a year.

Parainfluenza Vaccination

This vaccine protects puppies against another probable cause of the kennel cough (a virus causing canine infectious tracheobronchitis). The parainfluenza vaccine is also performed in combination with the rest of core vaccines at 8 weeks, 12 and 16 weeks. Boosters are recommended annually.

 

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