Your
Dog And Regular Vaccinations
Vaccination is a sure way to protect
your dog against viral diseases and ensure a longer happy
life.
A mother dog
protects her puppy around six to twelve weeks after birth.
She has passed on her immunity mechanism to her puppies by
providing disease-fighting antibodies in her first milk. This
is called the Maternally Derived Antibody (MDA) or known as
"passive immunity." After those weeks of immunity, MDA fades
and the puppy is left to protect itself and soon, vaccination
takes over the mother's role in providing protection.
Immunity means that there is little or no risk of falling
ill to a certain disease. In adult dogs immunity can result
from either vaccination or the dog suffering and survived
the disease.
Vaccination stimulates the dog's immune system to produce
its disease-fighting cells and proteins or what is known
as antibodies to protect against diseases. Regular and repeated
vaccinations are required. There are vaccination schedules
for certain types of diseases for puppies and adult dogs.
For the first vaccination, a course of two vaccinations are
usually given as a primary course. This may be administered
starting from the sixth week of your dog.
The vaccination history of your dog is an important document.
If you happen to not know the history, you may want to consult
your veterinary surgeon regarding vaccination right away.
A general check up will also be helpful to see if your puppy
is in good health condition before giving the vaccines. Having
a good health is an important factor to make the vaccines
work for your dog or puppy.
Re-vaccination is also necessary as immunity loses its effectiveness
after a time, leaving your dogs at risk. Regular boosters
are available to maintain the immunity your dog needs. A certificate
will be given to you after completing your entire vaccination
program. In the certification, the record of vaccinations
and the advice for the next booster are indicated. Things
you have to remember are:
- that regular booster is necessary to maintain your dog's
vaccination;
- record of vaccination has to be kept in a safe place
for reference; and,
- consult your veterinary doctor if your dog
appears to be unwell.
Vaccinations are made for the protection of your
dog from certain types of diseases. Be guided and keep an
eye on the early symptoms:
CANINE PARVOVIRUS
DISEASE. This is cause by an extremely hardy virus
that can last for long periods of time in an environment.
The main source of this infection is the feces of infected
dogs. Highly contagious and weakening. Symptoms of this disease
are as follows: high fever, severe vomiting, listlessness,
refusal of food and water and profuse smelly, bloody diarrhea.
Common among young puppies and elderly dogs. Combination vaccines
are due on the fifth to ninth week of your dog.
CANINE DISTEMPER.
This hard-to-treat disease is highly contagious and the main
source of infection is by inhalation during close dog to dog
contact. The first signs are: fever, coughing, diarrhea, and
vomiting followed by unusual tiredness and lack of appetite.
Usually dogs under one year of age suffer from this disease.
Survivors often develop nervous system breakdown later in
life.
CANINE TRACHEOBRONCHITIS (Canine/Kennel
Cough). Caused by various airborne bacteria and viruses, this
infectious bronchitis is a contagious upper respiratory disease
which occurs when dogs are in close contact. Signs are a distressing
dry cough, tiredness and loss of appetite and moderately raised
temperature. This disease may lead to pneumonia.
RABIES. An incurable, viral disease that
attacks the central nervous system of almost all mammals including
humans. This disease can be transmitted through bites, while
the saliva is in contact with the skin. Once you have this
disease, there is no cure and would already lead to death.
Vaccine during the twelfth week is a great ounce of prevention.
INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS.
This is caused by Canine Adenovirus Type I. Liver is the attacked
organ and can be rapidly fatal. Transmission is through secretions
like saliva, infected urine or feces. Early symptoms are general
discomfort and lack of appetite, high temperature, pale gums,
vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. This can cause also
liver failure, clouding of cornea known as "blue eye" and
breathing problems.
Other vaccinations that need booster recommendations from
your veterinarian are as follows:
LEPTOSPIROSIS,
a bacterial disease which attacks the kidneys and the liver;
vaccines are due on the twelfth to fifteenth week of your
dog;
CANINE CORONAVIRUS, which attacks the intestinal
system; and,
Lyme Disease, transmitted by ticks to both dogs and humans
which results in chronic arthritis and, sometimeS, death.
It is important to consult your veterinarian to determine
the appropriate vaccination and schedule for your dog.
Recommendations on what vaccines to give may vary on the age,
breed and health condition of the dog, susceptibility and
risk, type of vaccine and the geographical setting.
Issues on vaccines having side effects are lurking but the
benefits outweigh tremendously the danger of having it. Effectivity
may not be guaranteed 100% but with the combination of proper
nutrition and eating habits, a good and sanitized environment,
vaccination is a great way to protect your dog and other of
your pets as well.
Learn Holistic At-Home Remedies from Dr.
Andrew Jones by
downloading this "Healing Your Pets At Home" FREE
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