Vaccinations for Dogs

When it comes to canine vaccines, dog-owners everywhere are divided on the issue. Many people believe that vaccinations have made a huge impact in stopping the spreading of various diseases. However, other people say that a dog’s immune system is capable of handling many diseases and that vaccinations cause unwelcome side-effects. Typically, those people in favor of the vaccinations are from the school of Western medicine. Those who are against vaccinations often take a more alternative and holistic stance on health. Despite the controversy, vaccinations remain very popular with many dog owners today.

Vaccination schedules often vary from dog to dog, based on the individual dog, his lifestyle, home environment, owner preferences and veterinarian recommendations. It is often best to begin vaccinations when your dog is a puppy, to reap the most benefits. In fact, many dog-adoption programs require owners to provide their new dogs with the recommended vaccines before approving the adoption.

Dogs usually receive a vaccination for distemper. Distemper causes severe respiratory infections, often accompanied by seizures and followed by death. Many dogs are required to get the rabies vaccine. Rabies is a terribly fatal disease of the brain, transmitted in the saliva of infected animals to others that they bite. It is common among wild animals and can be transmitted to humans as well. Many dogs also receive a canine hepatitis vaccine. Though different than human hepatitis, canine hepatitis is also a viral disease of the liver. Another common vaccine for dogs is that of parovirus. This virus causes vomiting as well as diarrhea, both of which lead to extreme dehydration. It is the dehydration that leads to death with this virus.

While there are many specific vaccinations, many are combined into single shots. Some vaccines are given over time but others are given all at once. Your veterinarian will be able to work with you to develop a vaccination schedule that suits both you and your dog.

If you are undecided about vaccinating your dog, discuss your options with your veterinarian. He or she will be able to provide you with thorough explanations of each vaccine and how it might affect your dog.