Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Dog Vaccination - What are the Benefits and Dangers Involve

For any new pet owner, and the owners of new
dogs, vaccines are often a matter of some
confusion. Which vaccines is the dog supposed to
get? What are the vaccines for? Will my dog
react badly to them? These are all questions
frequently asked.

Most veterinarians will tell you that your dog
should be given the DHLPP vaccination around the
time that they are weened off their mother's
milk. This vaccine covers a number of fairly
common canine conditions: distemper, hepatitis,
leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.
Depending on the veterinarian and the
geographical location, your dog may be given only
some of these vaccinations. Typically, all five,
or a combination of them, are lumped together in
a single shot that is administered
subcutaneously, or under the skin, once every two
or three weeks for about two months.

Each of these diseases can be very difficult to
manage, and a vaccination is your best bet to
avoid them all together. Unfortunately, some
dogs do experience adverse reactions to some of
these vaccines. For that reason, many vets have
moved from giving this shot yearly, to giving it
every three years. All of the vaccines have been
shown in limited studies to last more than a year
with the exception of the leptospirosis vaccine,
which may last less than a year. Unless this
bacterial disease is active in your neighborhood,
it is not compulsory.

Kennels and Vaccines

Many boarding facilities have very strict
policies when it comes to admitting dogs. These
policies nearly always state that if your dog has
not been vaccinated,it will not be boarded.
However, every kennels have their own set of
rules when it comes to the vaccination
requirements for your puppy. Beyond the DHLPP
shot, your dog may need to be vaccinated against
adenovirus or bordatella.

Because of the great number of dogs coming from a
great number of different backgrounds, the
likelihood that the animals at the kennel would
be exposed to at least one type of communicable
canine disease is fairly high. Some viruses,
like parvovirus, are very tough and will not die
easily. The disease is transmitted through dog
poo, which is usually all over the place in a
kennel environment. For this reason it is very
important that you not only have your pet
vaccinated, but that the kennel require
vaccinations.

When is the vaccine effective?

If you planned to put your dog in a kennel or
start exposing him to other dogs, it is important
that you give the necessary vaccination early.
It can take several weeks for a puppy or dog to
build up immunity after a full course of vaccine.

Rabies

Rabies is a particular worrisome disease that
unfortunately has no cure for dogs. A rabid dog
will be euthanized without question. Dog owners
should get the necessary vaccinations for their
dogs as a first priority. This vaccine should be
taken once when your dog is three to six months
old and repeated when he is one year old to
ensure immunity. It should also be given yearly.
Vaccinating your pup against rabies will also
protect you, your family, and neighbors from this
deadly disease.

Adverse Reactions

Occasionally, a dog will have an adverse reaction
to a vaccine it has received. After every
vaccination, keep an eye on your pet and note any
changes in activity, diet, or personality. If
the symptoms persist, bring your dog in to the
vet as soon as possible.

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When toilet training your puppy, take note that
she is not able to control her bladder overnight
before she reaches four months old. To learn more
about canine dog health and canine dog care,
visit us at:
http://www.caninetouch.com/category/health/
http://www.caninetouch.com/category/dog-care/

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