Vaccinations are an important part of puppy rearing and are necessary to promote wellness and good health.
During the first couple of days of nursing, puppies get antibodies from their mother. The mother’s milk, which is full of maternal antibodies for which the adult has been recently vaccinated, is known as colostrum. This helps puppies ward off serious diseases until they receive their own vaccinations.
While vaccinations are often available from sources other than veterinarians, it is a wise idea to consult the puppy’s doctor. Vaccinations can vary among breeds. A puppy’s activities also contribute to the need for certain vaccinations. For example, a puppy that spends very little time outdoors may not need a vaccination for lyme disease, which is carried by ticks. A hunting dog should be vaccinated for lyme disease because they are frequently exposed to a habitat where ticks abound.
A combination vaccination known as DHLPPC is one of the most commonly used. The acronym stands for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus and corona virus.
- Distemper, which occurs worldwide, was once the leading cause of death among puppies. It is highly contagious. Symptoms include an upper respiratory infection with a high fever. The disease, which may also include neurological malfunctions, can be fatal.
- Hepatitis can also be very dangerous. It is spread through contact with urine and feces from infected animals. Symptoms include fever, anorexia, bloody diarrhea, lethargy and abdominal pain. Puppies that contact hepatitis may survive, but it is likely to have a long-term effect on their health.
- Leptospirosis affects a puppy’s liver and kidneys. The disease is highly contagious to both dogs and humans. Symptoms can include fever, jaundice, dehydration and lethargy. A puppy that tests positive for leptospirosis will have to be isolated and protective measures should be taken to control the spread of the disease.
- Parainfluenza causes upper respiratory infections. It is spread through contact with the nasal secretions of infected dogs.
- Parvovirus causes puppies to have severe vomiting and diarrhea, which leads to serious dehydrations. The disease, which is highly contagious, can be fatal. It is spread through contact with infected stools.
- The corona virus also attacks a puppy’s intestinal system. The symptoms are very similar to the parvovirus.
A rabies vaccination is very important for all dogs because rabies also affects humans. Discuss the merits of using live or dead vaccines with a veterinarian. Most vets will vaccinate for rabies on or before six months of age.
Not all veterinarians agree on the number of vaccinations needed to protect puppies. However, a general rule of thumb is to vaccinate for DHLPPC at six weeks of age. Puppies require two more boosters between the ages of nine and 18 weeks. Adult dogs are vaccinated annually to insure they are protected.
Bordetella, which is commonly known as kennel cough, is often considered an optional vaccination. Puppies and dogs that are not kenneled and do not socialize with other canines may not need to be vaccinated against this upper respiratory infection. Discuss the need for bordetella with your puppy’s veterinarian.
Vaccinations to ward off lyme disease are also optional. If you live in an area that is infested with ticks, seek advice from a veterinarian. And, of course, always check the puppy frequently for ticks and remove them as soon as possible.
Giardia vaccinations are also optional. Giardia is a parasite that lives in a puppy’s intestines. It can be spread through contact with infected stools and through contact with ponds and creeks. If your puppy loves to swim, it is probably a good idea to vaccinate them.
In general, these are the most common vaccinations any new puppy owner should be aware of. There are, of course, more situational preventative measures that certain breeds may require. Make sure to have an open dialog with your veterinarian about this subject to make sure that you set your puppy up for a long and healthy life.
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