I just checked the vaccination records of Samson and Lilly and I realized that we are still good with rabies till 2012, but have to refresh DHPP and Bordetella soon. In Germany we have these nice blue little vaccination record books for dogs and cats, where all vaccination shots and details about the dogs name, age, breed and microchip number are listed – precisely and accurately, the German way. You can use it like a passport for your pet, when you travel in Europe. I don’t know why they don’t exist in America, it would be a great innovation.
“As a committed dog owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your dog’s safety and health. A healthy dog is a happy dog. Getting your dog immunized is one of the best ways you can keep your beloved pet healthy”.
This is a common sentence you hear all the time. I also know that many holistic and homeopathy advocates are against vaccinations and do not support it. I often asked myself, which vaccines does my dog really need and how often? Theories that many diseases are caused by vaccinations are not myths anymore and proven statistics can be found on the internet. I found some interesting one I posted at the bottom of this article. I think it’s always good to know and educate yourself and see things from different perspectives. I’m sure that the pharmaceutical industry is happiest one if you vaccinate your dog annually, but every pet owner has to make his own decision and build his own opinion about this delicate subject. I’m not brave enough not to do it, even I’m not a lighthearted person and it sounds very logical to me. Rabies is a must, that’s for sure.
We recently interviewed Dr. Dodd, DVM, to this very interesting subject.
Core Canine Vaccinations
DHPP – (Also known as 4-in-1) Protects against distemper, hepatitis or adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza. This vaccine is given in a series to puppies, good for one year, then boosted every 3 years.
Corona – Given only to puppies during their initial series.
Rabies – This is required by law. The initial vaccination is given at 4 months of age and is good for one year. It is then boosted every 3 years.
Bordetella – This is a vaccination for kennel cough. It is recommended for all dogs that interact with other dogs. It is given an initial series, and then boosted regularly.
Vaccinations need to be undertaken always by the pet owners and the dogs need to be vaccinated at the appropriate time. This helps to improve the resistance of the animal against some specific diseases and protects against various diseases.
Vaccination is usually started at the age of five to six weeks and prior to this age, the maternal immunity will be helping the animal to have natural disease resistance. It is always better to deworm the animal before the vaccination and this is given emphasis many times. Vaccination against the parvo virus is done at an early age because pups are often being affected by parvo viral infections. Rabies vaccine is given at age of thirteen to fifteenth weeks of age and is repeated in fifteenth months time. However, this depends on the type of vaccine used. Once in three years, this is repeated.
Then annually repeat of Bordetella and the canine parainfluenza, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus type are recommended. Rabies has to done by law in America.
Additional Canine Vaccinations are:
Rattlesnake – This new vaccine is recommended for all dogs who may be hiking in areas where rattlesnakes live. These include the mountains in and around Santa Monica, Hollywood and Malibu. It is given in an initial series, then boosted every 6 months.
Leptospirosis – Please read the 2nd article at the bottom
Lyme Disease – Recommended for pets who are exposed to ticks that carry Lyme disease.
Some vaccinations must be given in a series to be effective, please ask your vet or clinic staff.
Interesting articles of different websites you should read:
Vaccines ‘are making our dogs sick as vets cash in’