Should you get your dog vaccinated?
As with the vaccinations designed for humans, dog vaccines protect your pet against a range of serious diseases that could threaten its life.
While getting your dog vaccinated may seem like an unnecessary expense initially, the cost of your dog's shots is likely far less than the expense of treating the illnesses the vaccines protect against.
How Pet Vaccines Work
Vaccines provide a defensive level of antibodies, allowing your pet's body to build immunity against specific highly contagious, serious diseases. Once your dog has been vaccinated, the body receives a disease-enabling organism to stimulate the immune system and tell the body how it should fight those diseases in the future.
While vaccines for dogs, puppies and other pets aren't 100% effective, they can help your pet fight of illnesses or recover much more quickly if they do become infected.
Does my dog need all of the available vaccines?
The vaccines recommended for dogs in the Danbury area include immunizations to help prevent bordetella, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and rabies.
Your vet can recommend the most appropriate vaccines for your dog based on its age, location, and lifestyle.
Vaccination Schedule for Puppies & Adult Dogs
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
6 - 8 Weeks
- *DHPP Shot 1
- Bordatella
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- Influenza Virus-H3N8
- Influenza Virus-H3N2
10 - 12 Weeks
- Influenza Virus-H3N8
- Influenza Virus-H3N2
- DHPP Shot 2
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- Rabies
14 - 16 Weeks
- DHPP Shot 3
Adult Dog Vaccination Schedule
Annually
- Bordatella
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- Rabies
- Influenza Virus-H3N8
- Influenza Virus-H3N2
Every 3 Years
- DHPP Booster
- Rabies
*DHPP: This vaccine protects against Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
Age Restrictions
Speak to your vet to learn which vaccines are appropriate for your dog. Very young puppies and senior dogs with compromised immune systems are not eligible for all shots.
Are there any possible side effects of dog vaccinations?
Some dogs may have an allergic reaction to their vaccinations due to a sensitivity to specific vaccine ingredients.
Common side effects of vaccinations in dogs include lethargy, lumps and bumps, sneezing and cold-like symptoms. Different breeds may react to different ingredients.
For example, German shepherds, various collies, and some sheepdogs are known to be sensitive to certain vaccinations. Your vet will avoid using vaccines that contain ingredients your dog may be sensitive to.
Reactions associated with vaccines are typically short-lived and mild. That said, severe reactions are rare but can occur, and require emergency veterinary care.
These side effects include facial swelling, vomiting, hives, diarrhea, itchiness, breathing difficulties, and anaphylaxis. When anaphylaxis occurs in dogs, it typically appears very soon after a vet has administered the vaccination. However, it's important to note that anaphylaxis can occur up to 48 hours after your dog has received a vaccination.
What can happen if I don't get my dog vaccinated?
Vaccinations are critical to your dog's preventive healthcare. If you don't get your dog vaccinated, they will be at risk of contracting preventable diseases like rabies.
Even if your dog is always on leash when outdoors, there is still a grave risk of illness. Many viruses and bacteria can live for long periods of time on surfaces, so without even coming nose-to-nose with another dog, your pup could contract a serious disease.
Other conditions are airborne or are known to be transmitted by air, and are easily contracted by dogs who encounter infected pooches while out walking. These include canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis, rabies, Bordetella, and canine parainfluenza.
Many vaccinations are mandated across the United States, such as rabies for both dogs and cats. Residents require vaccination records in many areas to obtain a pet license.
If you travel with your pet, stay in pet-friendly hotels, go to dog parks or have your pet groomed, vaccinations may be required and can prevent your furry friend from contracting contagious diseases from other animals, in addition to inadvertently spreading infection. This is also true for pet sitting services, doggy daycares and other businesses.
It is important to start the vaccination journey during your dog's puppy years. Getting your dog's shots early in life and regularly throughout adulthood provides the best opportunity for your furry friend to live a long and healthy life.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
