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Five Things You Should Know Before Selecting Best Dog vaccine
There is nothing more reassuring and exhilarating knowing that your dog is protected from rabies and other diseases in its entire lifetime. Getting it vaccinated also guarantees you and your loved ones maximum protection from unseen bacteria and viruses. But before deciding to have it vaccinated, consider these tips that may help you in selecting the best dog vaccine.
Keep track of your dog's age as it is crucial for proper vaccination.
Pet dogs should be vaccinated as early as early as their first 12 to 16 weeks of existence. They have to undergo a series of vaccinations, each session should be scheduled approximately four weeks apart from the last one. This is so crucial as this is also the phase when their immunity that comes from their mother's milk wears off making them vulnerable to infections and other sicknesses. With this, you have to keep track of your dog's age as the information may help your vet in selecting the most appropriate vaccine for your pet.
Save time and money by knowing the essential vaccines for your dogs.
Ever wondered how often do you need to vaccinate your dog? And which of these shots are really necessary and required by the law? Well, you are not alone as a lot of dog owners got confused and felt deceived that veterinarians are giving their pets more than what is required by the law and what their pets need.
The ones most recommended as the so-called core vaccines which include vaccines for rabies, distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus. On the other hand, you might want to delay giving your dogs the non-core vaccines for bordetella, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, canine influenza, parainfluenza and adenovirus intranasal. It has also been found out that bacterial vaccines like Bordetella, Lyme and Leptospirosis may not be that effective and may even have adverse reactions that will affect your pet's health. Thus, these shots should be rarely used.
Know the vaccine's period of effectiveness.
Some sources online provide useful date determining the Minimum Duration of Immunity of the Core Vaccines. As an estimate, these vaccines can protect your pets for 7 to 15 years. Studies also assured that your pet will be protected for life when these core vaccines are administered during the dog's first 16 weeks.
On the other hand, other sources claimed that having lifetime protection is a myth and that dog owners should get their dogs vaccinated at least once a year.
Choose a vet that follows the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) guidelines.
Truth is, the law only requires the anti-rabies vaccine to be administer on pet dogs. Later on, your vet may advise you to have your pet vaccinated with other core vaccines. At this point, you may opt to suspend or delay the vaccines in your preferred time. Then again, your vet should be sensitive to these factors and should put your pet's health as the top priority.
Over-Vaccinating your dog can be VERY dangerous.
All vaccines have the potential to adversely affect your dog's health. They may bring out a range of adverse side effects ranging from fairly mild to severe ones. Your dog may experience lethargy or soreness or in worse cases, may experience severe symptoms like anaphylactic shock, autoimmune diseases and even death.
As dog owners, you have the responsibility to take care of your dog. Know the essentials first before getting it vaccinated. To know more about the best vaccines for your dog, you should consider asking other pet owners or consulting a couple of vets before administering any vaccine for your pet. Also make sure that your pet's living conditions and surroundings are clean to avoid contact with bacteria and diseases.
