Vaccination and its Important Role in a Dog’s Life
Active immunization is the introduction into the body of killed or satisfied microorganisms or their products for the purpose of stimulating the body’s defense mechanism. This concept is also applicable to other species like the dogs.
Historically the area of veterinary medicine had not yet realized the potential benefits of vaccinations. It hasn't been until recently, that veterinary experts formulated certain solutions so as to combat the alarming increase of death in digs. Namely, most of the causes are viral infection.
With the inception of vaccinations, many dogs were saved from probable death brought about by many diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis, upper respiratory infections, and parvovirus.
Like humans, dogs need vaccinations even at an early age. That is why it is important to immunize puppies so that they will survive until they are fully grown.
Basically, puppies get their immunity from their mother’s milk, which is also the same as that of human beings. However, these immunities tend to lose their effects by the time the puppies are already 6 to 20 weeks old. It is during this time that they have to be immunized.
Hence, in order to protect the puppies against infectious diseases, it is best to give them their shots and they should be re-immunized after 3 to 4 weeks. In this way, the puppies will be able to endure any infectious disease that may come their way.
Rabies and Immunization
Rabies is an acute and almost invariably fatal disease communicated to man through the saliva of a rabid animal, usually dogs, foxes, squirrels, and bats.
Dogs, fortunately, always present evidence of the disease before becoming infective. The etiologic agent is an ultramicroscopic virus present in the saliva and the central nervous system.
The course of rabies in dogs is characterized by an incubation period of 20 to 30 days. This is followed by a period of excitement, when the animal becomes vicious. The excitement stage may be evident at all or may be entirely absent. Paralysis then develops, first involving the hind legs and thereafter becoming general. Death occurs within 10 days following the first symptom.
Alternatively, the effects of rabies in human beings can be fatal as it is with dogs. Hence, in order to avoid these problems, it is best to have your dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies shots.
Rabies vaccines can be given during the 16th to the 26th week of the puppies. This requires a follow up shot one year after for total protection.
On the other hand, dog owners should take note that not all vaccinations will generate adverse effects on their dogs. So, it is best to always observe your dog after vaccination. When certain reactions occur like vomiting, facial swelling, or trembling, it is best to discuss these matters immediately with your veterinarian.
Moreover, certain precautions should also be made when the age of the dogs are taken into consideration. For some guides regarding this matter, here are some tips:
1. The age of puppies
It is best to consider the puppies age before subjecting them to their shots.
For puppies that are 4 to 20 weeks old, their first shots should be given during their 6th to 8th weeks of age. The last shots shall be given on the 14th to 16th week of age. These date apply to all primary vaccines.
For rabies, puppies should be 16 to 26 weeks old.
2. For dogs that are 20 weeks old up to 2 years old
During this age, dogs should have received their booster shots already. This is essential so as to lengthen the immunity of the vaccines in the dog’s system. At this stage, additional vaccines are recommended for added protection such as vaccines against bordetella and other newer vaccines.
3. For dogs that are older than 2 years
By this time, the dogs should have been through with their booster shots. What comes next is the annual revaccination. These kinds of vaccines are still recommended so as to lengthen their protection against certain diseases.
The bottom line is that vaccinations are extremely important to your dog’s life. Like the way it functions in human beings, vaccines are needed in order to protect the dogs from imminent risk of acquiring diseases brought about by viruses.
With dog vaccines, you can be assured that your dog will be at its peak of health for a longer period of time, free from any life-threatening diseases. Indeed, with vaccines every life is lengthened.
