Vaccines are an injection or nasal spray given to puppies and dogs to
prevent serious diseases. Vaccines can be given for a single disease, or
a vaccine may contain protection for a number of diseases in a single
dose (combination vaccine). Vaccines work by stimulating the dog’s
immune system to develop a protective response to the disease. This
means if your dog came in contact with the disease, their body would
already know how to fight it off, preventing the dog from getting sick.
Your dog needs to be vaccinated against serious diseases they are at
risk of being exposed to. In the following articles, we will discuss common
vaccination, the diseases they protect against, and how to decide if
your dog needs that vaccine.
Vaccines can be essential to ensure our dogs remain healthy from
preventable deadly diseases. However, it is important to remember that
not all dogs need all vaccinations. Not all dogs need to be vaccinated
as frequently as others. Discuss your dog’s risk level with your
veterinarian before making any decisions. Be aware of your local laws
regarding rabies to help make the decision of if and how often to
vaccinate your dog for rabies. Also consider contacting the Centers for
Disease Control and your local health department to evaluate local risks
for certain diseases like Leptospirosis and rabies.
As discussed under the section about rabies vaccines, vaccine titers
can be a valuable tool to assess your dog’s immunity to a disease they
have been vaccinated for in the past. While a strong titer indicates
good immunity, keep in mind that there is no guarantee of how long that
immunity lasts. Discuss the risks and benefits of using titer testing
with your veterinarian. Vaccine titers are generally a good choice for
dogs with low exposure risk.
NEXT:
Rabies Vaccine
Other Vaccines:
DHPP
vaccine -
Kennel Cough Vaccine -
Leptospirosis Vaccine -
Lyme Disease Vaccine
