Keep your dog healthy
Dogs are phenomenal pets. It doesn’t matter if you get a puppy or a more mature rescue dog. Furry friends return the love and affection you give them, with bonding time helping you destress as well. Pets are great for your mental and emotional well being as well as being wonderful company. Big or small, fluffy or smooth our dogs become part of our family. That is why it is important to keep them healthy by keeping their vaccinations up to date.
Why you should vaccinate?
There are several life-threatening diseases that are preventable through the administration of vaccines. Veterinarians use vaccines to prevent the spread and severity of deadly diseases. We want our dogs to be with us for a long time, and have the best quality of life, which is why vaccines are so important.
What are vaccinations?
Vaccinations are a modified form of a specific disease or a combination of diseases. Synthetically modified versions of the vaccine are injected into your healthy dog. The dog’s immune system then creates antibodies to the vaccinated diseases. Vaccinated canines that come into contact with the disease have the tools to effectively fight the otherwise deadly viruses.
There are two types of vaccines, the core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Crofton Down Vets are experts and will advise you which of the non-core vaccines, if any your dog will require.
Core Vaccinations
Core vaccinations are important for every dog. They protect your puppy and adult dog from these viruses:
Non Core Vaccinations
Crofton Down Veterinarians will guide you regarding what non-core vaccinations. These are vaccinations that only certain dogs will need, the need depends on location, contact with other animals and the amount of strays in your area. Your travel habits will have an impact on what vaccinations your dog requires too.
Are these viruses transferable to humans?
Having a pet is incredibly rewarding, but if you have a family you want to make sure they are safe too. The canine viruses mentioned above are not transferable to humans, except for rabies.
Bacterial infections are transferable between dogs and humans. Especially if they are exposed to garbage. Always keep your dog clean and their sleeping area hygienic. Ticks, fleas and worms are transferred from canines to humans. Make sure to discuss parasite prevention and control with your vet.
Vaccination Schedule
It is important to set up a schedule with the vet as soons as you get a new dog. You need to find out any vaccination history you can from the breeder or the shelter. Our Crofton Down Veterinary clinic vets will examine the dog to determine health status before administering any vaccination. If your pet has missed a vaccination you need to urgently contact the veterinary office to set up an appointment to get your furbaby back on track. Here is the standard schedule:
- 6-8 weeks your puppy will get their initial injection which combats the core disease, every dog needs to get this vaccination. The vet will vaccinate your puppy against kennel cough at this stage.
- 10-12 weeks is when the vet gives your puppy their first booster shot.
- 14 – 16 weeks is time for the second booster.
- At 16 months your pup will need to get their third booster.
- Depending on the brand and specific vaccine used the vet will need to administer shots every year or every three years.
Keeping your dogs vaccinations up to date keeps your dog and the neighbourhood pets safe.