The Big 8 of Puppy Vaccines
By HollywoodPet.net |
Thu, 7 Dec 2006
Mother's milk helps a puppy have natural immunity to disease, but in short order your puppy will have to fend for itself. Vaccinating your pet will get your puppy off to a great start. Knowing the Big 8 of puppy vaccines can help. Remember to look for allergic reactions after your puppy is vaccinated. On vaccination day your pet may become tired too from receiving shots. Let your puppy rest that day if possible.
Rabies: Rabies is a deadly disease to be taken seriously. By law, pets must be vaccinated for rabies. All warm blooded mammals can get rabies. After the first 3 months your puppy is ready for a rabies vaccination. Follow up vaccines are required, usually every 1-2 years. Check with your veterinarian for an exact schedule.
Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and is more common in some areas of the country than others. Keeping your puppy well groomed and using tick repellents can help greatly. Check with your veterinarian for your risk factors.
Distemper: Distemper can be fatal in puppies. It can easily be transmitted through the air from other infected animals. Get this vaccine early with your vets recommendation. Follow up shots and booster shots are required too. Stay on top of this one. Distemper has harmed many puppies.
Adenovirus: Sometimes called dog hepatitis, this disease can kill puppies within days. Get this vaccine early. Check with your veterinarian.
Leptospirosis: Another vaccine your puppy should get early. Puppies that are exposed to ponds, marshes,
irrigation and other standing water are at greater risk. Follow up
shots are required too. Check with your veterinarian.
Parvovirus: Puppies can get this disease from anywhere other pet frequent. Parks, lawns, kennels and other areas can harbor this disease. Get this vaccine early with your vets recommendation. Follow up booster shots are common too.
Coronavirus: Many older dogs can survive coronavirus, but it can be fatal in puppies. Nearly 1/3 of pets housed in kennels become exposed to this disease. Get with your veterinarian and get your puppy this vaccine as early as possible.
Bordetella: Also known as kennel cough, should be prevented in your puppy as early as possible. Many times booster shots are given to older dogs that will boarded in kennels. Check with your veterinarian.
