What Dog Immunizations Does Your Pet Need?

It has been said a thousand times already, but it is a proven adage that a dog is man's best friend so why not keep him healthy?  Dog immunizations also help to prevent a threat to his fellow dogs and to family members as well.

Puppies can be compared to babies that if they have been breastfed by the mother dog, they have been getting nutrition from the mother's milk but, they require more continuous protection from germs and diseases. Once the puppies reach 8 weeks old, they take their first set of immunizations and then 4 weeks later, the 2nd set or booster shots are given. When puppies are 16 weeks old, the first set of rabies shots are given – this is a legal requirement in most locations - for rabies is a deadly disease that can kill both man and dog.

After the first round of immunizations, booster shots on different diseases can be done on an annual basis or in some cases, on an as needed, case by case situation. Regular veterinarian checkups can help you with these decisions. I have compiled a list on what conditions needs special attention and most especially getting the shots needed for prevention.

1. Canine parvovirus is a condition that affects blood and intestines of your pets. Once they enter the bloodstream, your dog experiences vomiting, diarrhea and are depressed. Canine Parvovirus is transferred from the feces of an infected dog and if you think your dog has this disease, act quickly. It has been reported that dogs die within couple of days after having contracted such a disease.

2. Rabies is a virus that affects the dogs’ central nervous system - that why they go ‘mad’. This disease is fatal and most states require your dog to have rabies shots as prevention. They are transferred from contact with saliva or a bite from a wild animal.

3. Infectious canine hepatitis affects dog tissues by attacking the liver and symptoms include cloudy or white eyes.  Dogs usually get this by contact with urine of a dog with hepatitis.

4. Canine leptospirosis affects the kidneys which can lead to kidney failure and typical symptoms are convulsions, impaired vision and they vomit a lot.  This can be transferred from the urine of the dog with the disease.

5. Canine distemper is contagious and attacks the central nervous system of the dog. Symptoms include a runny nose and frequent sneezing. This is transferred by contact through an infected dog’s eyes, ears and nose.  They are silent killers for the owner often only knows that the dog has it when the dog is soon or completely paralyzed already.

6. Canine bordetellosis affects the respiratory system and is contagious by just coming in contact through an infected dog’s nose and eyes and your dog experiences a bad case of rough cough.

If you get your dog immunizations on time and on schedule, it will help your pet live a longer and healthier life.