 |
Please Note: The BeanTown Dogs website provides information and listings of dog breeds, clubs and associations, rescue organizations, health and nutrition, breeders,
trainers, groomers, boarding kennels, and other pet services and products. However, we do not recommend, endorse, or support any one of these listings over another. The links
provided on the site are for information purposes only and should not be viewed as a recommendation or endorsement. Accuracy of information is the sole responsibility of the
owner of the listing and we cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation. We reserve the right to refuse any listing at our sole discretion. The BeanTown Dogs website is
not affiliated or associated with any organization or business - It is a completely independent project. - Archie and Mum
| SEARCH ~ ADVERTISE ~ PRIVACY ~ LEGAL ~ CONTACT US Copyright Perkins & Company 2006-2008 All Rights Reserved. All content, including graphics, on BeanTown Dogs Website is Copyright Perkins & Company, unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or reproduced without prior written permission. |
| Important Vaccinations for Dogs |
Sniff Around for Dog Events!
Click to go: Articles > Vaccinating Your Dog
Invariably, dog owners ask themselves: 'Do I really need to vaccinate my
dog?' The short answer is yes.
"Vaccines are health products that trigger protective immune responses in
pets and prepare them to fight future infections from disease-causing
agents," according to the American Veterinary Association. "Vaccines can
lessen the severity of future disease and certain vaccines can prevent
infection altogether."
Simply explained, vaccines stimulate a dog's immune system to protect itself
against disease. "When the antigen or infectious agent enters the dog's body,
it is recognized as foreign and antibodies are produced to bind to it and
destroy it," according to the Dog Owner's Guide. "The cells that
manufactured the antibodies 'remember' it and will respond more quickly
the next time the same agent [infection] is confronted."
However, nothing is 100 per cent, including vaccines. Breakdowns can occur
for any number of reasons, including fever, steroids, disease and maternal
antibodies - which are provided to newborn puppies from their mother's
milk, which can all block the dog's ability to create antibodies. Vaccines can
also fail if they are given too close together. However, if given too far apart,
the memory response of the immune system may not be properly stimulated.
Reactions to vaccines are also possible - more so in young puppies and toy
breed dogs. Adverse reactions, which, if they do occur, will happen within
the first 24-48 hours, and usually consist of a low-grade fever or muscle
pain/ache, loss of appetite and increased sleep. Severe reactions include
hives, face swelling or vomiting.
Vaccine Types
There are two types of vaccinations - modified-live and killed, both of which
have pros and cons.
Modified-live vaccines provide stronger, longer-lasting and more rapid
protection, including local immunity. They are generally less expensive and
require only one dose to be effective. On the negative side, they have the
potential to become active and cause the very disease they are intended to
prevent, especially in a dog that has a weakened immune system.
Killed vaccines cannot become virulent or produce local immunity.
However, they are more likely to cause allergic reactions and require more
initial and frequent doses.
An example of the two vaccine variations is the Bordetella vaccination. The
killed Bordetella vaccine requires two injections, yet they are aonly 60-80 per
cent effective and do not provide local immunity to the airway. On the other
hand, the Modified-live Bordetella vaccine is given via the nostril, requires
one dose and starts to provide local immunity within 48 hours.
Vaccine Schedule
Once your new puppy is brought home, it is imperative a visit to your
veterinarian is made within the first 24 hours. At this visit, you will be
inundated with puppy raising information, but also a vaccine schedule. At
which time come the confusing questions and answers: What does this
vaccine prevent? Is this or that one necessary? Is this vaccine annual or every
few years?
Rabies
The most common, and legally required vaccine by a large number of
countries, is Rabies. The first vaccine is good for a year with subsequent
vaccines lasting upwards of three years.
Distemper
Distemper is a serious, often fatal, viral disease that affects primarily young,
unvaccinated dogs. Symptoms of this nervous system disorder include a
yellow or greenish discharge from the dog's eyes or nose, vomiting and
diahhrea - all of which are very contagious. Other symptoms include
coughing, difficulty breathing, increased body temperature, weight loss and
diminished appetite.
Prevention against Distemper is extremely important as it can permanently
damage the dog's nervous system, sense of smell, sight and sound.
Parvovirus
The Parvovirus is, unfortunately, the most common viral illness in dogs.
Parvo is more likely to infect a puppy versus an adult dog. Vaccinating a
puppy against Parvo is complicated because the maternal antibody can
interfere with the vaccine. Which is why puppies receive the Parvo vaccine
every three to four weeks, starting at six weeks of age, until they are between
16 and 20 weeks.
Corona
The Corona virus may cause the Parvo virus to become fatal, especially if the
two infections occur concurrently. On the other hand, on its own, the Corona
virus can cause minimal damage to the intestine and may also not even
cause a clinical illness.
Bordetella
Bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough (tracheobronchitis).
The bacterial illness occurs mostly in dogs that congregate together at
daycares, kennels or parks.
Para Influenza
Para influenza is a minor contributor to kennel cough, however, this vaccine
is still found in almost all of the vaccine combinations.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine Hepatitis is a viral disease most commonly found in young (9-12
weeks) and unvaccinated puppies. The disease is spread by contact with
urine from an infected dog. Symptoms include discharge from the nose or
eyes, coughing or the evidence of liver and/or kidney disease, which is
detected by jaundice, appetite loss, vomiting, as well as a change in drinking
and urinating behaviour.
Giardia
Giardia is a rather new vaccine and deemed optional at this time. Giardia is
a parasite that can cause chronic gastro-intestinal upset - mostly diarrhea -
and can also be spread to humans.
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterial organism carried by certain species of
ticks. The necessity of this vaccine is determined by your location, as this is
not prevalent in all areas.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is no longer prevalent in many
countries, therefore, is not always given to dogs.
Which vaccines your dog receives and how often, is dependant on your
location. Consult your veterinarian to create a schedule that is best suited to
your dog and its needs.
dog?' The short answer is yes.
"Vaccines are health products that trigger protective immune responses in
pets and prepare them to fight future infections from disease-causing
agents," according to the American Veterinary Association. "Vaccines can
lessen the severity of future disease and certain vaccines can prevent
infection altogether."
Simply explained, vaccines stimulate a dog's immune system to protect itself
against disease. "When the antigen or infectious agent enters the dog's body,
it is recognized as foreign and antibodies are produced to bind to it and
destroy it," according to the Dog Owner's Guide. "The cells that
manufactured the antibodies 'remember' it and will respond more quickly
the next time the same agent [infection] is confronted."
However, nothing is 100 per cent, including vaccines. Breakdowns can occur
for any number of reasons, including fever, steroids, disease and maternal
antibodies - which are provided to newborn puppies from their mother's
milk, which can all block the dog's ability to create antibodies. Vaccines can
also fail if they are given too close together. However, if given too far apart,
the memory response of the immune system may not be properly stimulated.
Reactions to vaccines are also possible - more so in young puppies and toy
breed dogs. Adverse reactions, which, if they do occur, will happen within
the first 24-48 hours, and usually consist of a low-grade fever or muscle
pain/ache, loss of appetite and increased sleep. Severe reactions include
hives, face swelling or vomiting.
Vaccine Types
There are two types of vaccinations - modified-live and killed, both of which
have pros and cons.
Modified-live vaccines provide stronger, longer-lasting and more rapid
protection, including local immunity. They are generally less expensive and
require only one dose to be effective. On the negative side, they have the
potential to become active and cause the very disease they are intended to
prevent, especially in a dog that has a weakened immune system.
Killed vaccines cannot become virulent or produce local immunity.
However, they are more likely to cause allergic reactions and require more
initial and frequent doses.
An example of the two vaccine variations is the Bordetella vaccination. The
killed Bordetella vaccine requires two injections, yet they are aonly 60-80 per
cent effective and do not provide local immunity to the airway. On the other
hand, the Modified-live Bordetella vaccine is given via the nostril, requires
one dose and starts to provide local immunity within 48 hours.
Vaccine Schedule
Once your new puppy is brought home, it is imperative a visit to your
veterinarian is made within the first 24 hours. At this visit, you will be
inundated with puppy raising information, but also a vaccine schedule. At
which time come the confusing questions and answers: What does this
vaccine prevent? Is this or that one necessary? Is this vaccine annual or every
few years?
Rabies
The most common, and legally required vaccine by a large number of
countries, is Rabies. The first vaccine is good for a year with subsequent
vaccines lasting upwards of three years.
Distemper
Distemper is a serious, often fatal, viral disease that affects primarily young,
unvaccinated dogs. Symptoms of this nervous system disorder include a
yellow or greenish discharge from the dog's eyes or nose, vomiting and
diahhrea - all of which are very contagious. Other symptoms include
coughing, difficulty breathing, increased body temperature, weight loss and
diminished appetite.
Prevention against Distemper is extremely important as it can permanently
damage the dog's nervous system, sense of smell, sight and sound.
Parvovirus
The Parvovirus is, unfortunately, the most common viral illness in dogs.
Parvo is more likely to infect a puppy versus an adult dog. Vaccinating a
puppy against Parvo is complicated because the maternal antibody can
interfere with the vaccine. Which is why puppies receive the Parvo vaccine
every three to four weeks, starting at six weeks of age, until they are between
16 and 20 weeks.
Corona
The Corona virus may cause the Parvo virus to become fatal, especially if the
two infections occur concurrently. On the other hand, on its own, the Corona
virus can cause minimal damage to the intestine and may also not even
cause a clinical illness.
Bordetella
Bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough (tracheobronchitis).
The bacterial illness occurs mostly in dogs that congregate together at
daycares, kennels or parks.
Para Influenza
Para influenza is a minor contributor to kennel cough, however, this vaccine
is still found in almost all of the vaccine combinations.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine Hepatitis is a viral disease most commonly found in young (9-12
weeks) and unvaccinated puppies. The disease is spread by contact with
urine from an infected dog. Symptoms include discharge from the nose or
eyes, coughing or the evidence of liver and/or kidney disease, which is
detected by jaundice, appetite loss, vomiting, as well as a change in drinking
and urinating behaviour.
Giardia
Giardia is a rather new vaccine and deemed optional at this time. Giardia is
a parasite that can cause chronic gastro-intestinal upset - mostly diarrhea -
and can also be spread to humans.
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterial organism carried by certain species of
ticks. The necessity of this vaccine is determined by your location, as this is
not prevalent in all areas.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is no longer prevalent in many
countries, therefore, is not always given to dogs.
Which vaccines your dog receives and how often, is dependant on your
location. Consult your veterinarian to create a schedule that is best suited to
your dog and its needs.
