Necessary Vaccinations for your Dog

Annual vaccinations are important for every dog everywhere.  A vaccination is when you give the dog a tiny portion of bacteria, virus, or disease and that will build up its immune system.  that way, if its body ever encounters the condition, its body will already have the antibodies to fight it.

The first vaccines should be given to puppies as soon as they are weaned from their Mother.  You do not need vaccines during weaning, because they are naturally getting vaccines from the Mother's milk.  Different states, countries, and cities have different rules and regulations about what vaccines you should give your dog or pets and when they should be administered.

A normal schedule for dog vaccinations begin when the dog is weaned from  its Mother.  This could be anywhere between six and twelve weeks of age.  The first shots that your dog should get should be for distemper, infectious hepatitis, and adenovirus.  Three of four doses of these should be given during the first six to fifteen weeks of your puppies' life.

The second set of shots should follow the first by three weeks.  These shots should include Para-influenza, infectious tracheo-bronchitis and bordetella brochiseptica.  These are mainly respiratory and flu viruses that can cause serious problems in young dogs.

The next round of shots comes three weeks after (dog should be around 3 months of age).  This is when you should make sure your dog has the parvovirus, corona virus, lime barreliosis, and rabies vaccines.  These conditions affect the intestines and neurological system of pets.

Your vet should be able to discuss with you all of the shouts your pet should have in your area.  Each of these vaccines should be repeated each year, sometimes referred to as a booster shot.  It is a good idea to give your yearly boosters around the same time each year to make it easier for you to remember.  You can also get a multi shot which can include most every shot except the rabies vaccine which in most states has to be done by a vet.  Different governmental jurisdictions have different rules and regulations when it comes to our vaccination needs for your pets.

NOTE:  It has been suggested by our vet to start puppies on a heart worm prevention medication @ 4 months of age, NO SOONER, as the puppy(s) can have a bad reaction to it and even go into shock and die!   Then at 6 months of age we have the puppy(s) tested for heart worms to make sure everything is OK and we continue the preventative treatment the puppy's entire life. 

Disclaimer: 
I am not a licensed vet, nor am I trying to practice medicine without a license, nor am I advising you on how to take care,  treat, or work/handle your animals.  I'm simply sharing with you our routine.