Seeing your pets in distress will be extremely painful. Your dogs depend on you to provide them with a happy life. Once upon a time, canine diseases killed thousands of pets. However, since then, veterinary science has evolved immensely. Vaccines that are available in the market today help to protect your pet from killer diseases.
Being a pet owner, vaccinating your dog is your topmost responsibility. Dogs are susceptible to several diseases and hence these vaccinations protect them from several fatal diseases. While some of the diseases can be mild, others could be deadly. Since there are several vaccinations available in the market, the most common question for all pet owners is what vaccinations does your dog need? Here is a list of severe diseases that your canine friend might suffer from and the vaccinations that can resolve them as well:
1. Rabies
Rabies is a severe viral disease that can infect your pet. In worse cases, this disease might prove to be deadly. Your dog could contract the disease from any rabid animal. Getting bitten by an infected animal is not always required. It can get transferred through bodily fluids such as saliva.
Your pet can also transfer their disease to you. If you get bitten by your infected dog, you will likely contract the disease. If your dog gets infected, some of the common symptoms that you will see are anxiety and excessive drooling. Other symptoms include headache and hallucinations.
You, however, could protect your dog from this disease by administering the rabies vaccine. It is also a legal requirement in almost all states. Ideally, your dog must receive the vaccine between 12 and 18 months of their age.
If your dog is highly active, dogs could be administered this vaccine annually. In other cases, administering the vaccine after every three years is sufficient.
2. Parvovirus
Parvovirus is another severe disease that might infect your pet. It is a highly resistant and contagious viral disease. While both puppies and adult dogs are susceptible to this disease, It is particularly deadly when contracted by puppies. Dogs could be infected if they come in contact with contaminated objects.
Your pet exposes themselves to this deadly disease every time they sniff, lick, or consume the feces of an infected animal. This disease can even transmit indirectly. Suppose your family member has recently petted or come in contact with an infected dog. If they touch your pet, your furry friend will fall sick.
Some of the symptoms to look out for are reduced appetite, blood diarrhea, and vomiting. It makes your dog severely dehydrated, and immediate medical attention must be provided to save your pet’s life.
Luckily, you can protect your dog from this virus by administering the parvovirus vaccine when they are within 6,8 or 12 months of age.
Note: This disease might be severe for French Bulldogs as they are more susceptible to breathing problems and diarrhea.
3. Distemper
If you love your pet, you must take this disease seriously. It is a highly contagious viral disease and could be fatal for both puppies and adult dogs. Unlike the previous disease discussed here, canine distemper attacks not one but several internal systems in a dog. Canine distemper attacks dogs’ gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, and nervous system.
It also affects their skin and a dog’s overall immune system. This disease is all the more severe because there is no cure and it is fatal for dogs. Moreover, the symptoms of the disease take nearly 14 days to show up, which delays its treatment. Veterinarians can only treat secondary infection and associated symptoms of your dog.
The severity of the disease and the unavailability of its treatment make it the most severe disease that your dog could contract. The DHPP vaccine will protect your pet from the disease. You must vaccinate your dog once every 2 years.
4. Lyme Disease
Well, this disease is not only severe for dogs but also for you! Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease, which means you can get infected if your dog contracts the disease. This disease is transmitted through ticks.
If you stay in the Northeastern states of the United States, your dog is at a higher risk of being infected with Lyme disease. The detection of this disease is difficult. Symptoms for Lyme disease are hard to identify in dogs.
Thus, you need to look for ticks if you have been outside with your dog in bushy areas. For dogs that live an active lifestyle, veterinarians recommend a yearly Lyme disease vaccination. You can also use tick repellent products before taking your dog into the wild.
What are booster doses?
Some of the vaccinations will increase the immunity of your dogs for a limited time. These immunity periods could be extended by administering booster doses to your dogs after certain time intervals.
You need to contact a veterinarian to develop a vaccination schedule for your dog. This will include all “core” and “non-core” vaccinations that your dog needs. This schedule will also consist of any booster doses that your dog might require.
Vaccination side effects
Like all vaccinations, dog vaccines have some side effects. However, the benefits of vaccinations outweigh their side effects. Fatal reactions to vaccines are rare. Your pet might experience mild side effects.
Some of the common side effects of these vaccinations include fever, swelling of the area where the vaccine has been administered, and lethargy.
Mild fever along with decreased energy level is expected. However, if the fever does not subside within a few days, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. You must also carefully monitor the area where the vaccine was administered. Any sign of infection in that area would also require immediate medical attention.
In Conclusion
You should develop a vaccination schedule right after the first veterinarian visit that you make with your canine friend. Active or home-bound, these diseases will not spare your pet. Book an appointment with your veterinarian today and secure a healthy life for your dog.