Newborn puppies receive antibodies from their mother. Over time, this immunity weakens, and the young dog becomes vulnerable to dangerous and even fatal diseases.
To protect the pet and ensure a healthy future, the puppy is vaccinated in several stages, and in the future the owner must follow the annual revaccination schedule.
Why vaccinate your puppy?
Vaccination helps prepare the puppy’s immunity to fight pathogenic bacteria, infections, parasites and viruses. It “teaches” the immune system to recognize the pathogen and fight it. But it is not eternal protection from the disease. Vaccinations need to be updated, and for this there is a special vaccination schedule for a puppy.
What is given to a puppy during vaccination?
The vaccine contains antigens. They mimic the causative agent of the disease from which the dog is vaccinated. Antigens do not cause disease, but gently stimulate the immune system to recognize infection by a pathogen. Even if the quarantine is broken and the puppy, which did not receive the full set of vaccinations with insufficiently developed protection, gets sick, his immunity will cope with the disease or, at least, the negative consequences will will be reduced.
Why does a puppy need some vaccinations?
To develop a strong, long-term immunity against dangerous diseases in a puppy, a series of vaccinations is given, taking into account the age of the animal and the date of the previous vaccination. During a visit to the vet, multiple doses of a vaccine are not given, but a set schedule is followed.
The vaccination schedule contains a list of mandatory vaccines. In addition, there are additional vaccinations that may be prescribed, taking into account the dog’s lifestyle, terrain and proximity to other animals. Your veterinarian can provide additional information about supplemental vaccinations.
Puppy vaccination schedule
The puppy receives its first mandatory (basic) vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age. These are vaccines against canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, parainfluenza and canine adenovirus (infectious hepatitis). Booster vaccinations for these diseases are given every two to four weeks until the animal is 16 weeks of age or older. Revaccination is done at six months of age or one year.
The puppy receives its first rabies vaccination at 12 weeks with a booster vaccination at 12 months.
Recommended (additional) vaccinations may include, for example, vaccines against leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and kennel cough.
What happens to the puppy if you don’t vaccinate on schedule?
Immunity acquired through mother’s milk passively protects the puppy’s body up to 8-12 weeks. While this protection is effective, a young dog’s immune system does not produce its own antibodies. The age of 6-8 weeks is considered the best time to start vaccination and receive the first basic vaccinations for the animal. But after the first vaccinations are given, you cannot be absolutely sure that the puppy has developed its own immune defense. Repeated vaccinations (booster vaccinations) increase this possibility.
Vaccination is necessary not only to ensure that the puppy remains healthy. It prevents the transmission of disease to other animals and humans. In addition, a vaccination record is required for traveling within Ukraine and abroad, staying in pet hotels, visiting grooming salons, as well as participating in exhibitions and competitions.
How to keep track of your revaccination schedule
It is recommended that you create your own vaccination schedule based on consultation with your veterinarian. The responsible doctor or the clinic where the procedure is performed usually reminds you of the next appointment.
Good health is one of the most important ingredients in a happy life for your pet. It is easy to take care of an animal if you regularly visit a veterinarian for preventive examinations and get all the necessary vaccinations.
Source: korrespondent
I’m Liza Grey, an experienced news writer and author at the Buna Times. I specialize in writing about economic issues, with a focus on uncovering stories that have a positive impact on society. With over seven years of experience in the news industry, I am highly knowledgeable about current events and the ways in which they affect our daily lives.