One of the most vital ways to ensure your dog enjoys a long and healthy life is to vaccinate them and have regular health check-ups to maintain immunity against common diseases in dogs. Most vaccinations are secure, with just one or two percent of dogs experiencing discomfort or swelling at the injection site. Most facilities only use vaccines with proven track evidence of efficacy and safety.
What is the role of vaccines?
Vaccines may include tiny quantities from “modified live” or “killed” viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens which cause diseases. When given to your dog, they can stimulate the immune system and cause it to produce cells fighting disease and proteins called antibodies, which will ensure that your dog is not sick.
When is the ideal time to get my dog to be vaccinated?
A small animal gains immunity through its mother’s milk and is protected during the first year of its life. After six weeks, the protection starts to fade, requiring vaccination. A puppy vaccination is designed to meet the specific needs of your dog. After that, your dog must be regularly vaccinated for all of their life. The duration of immunity to vaccines is different over time. Facilities like La Mesa vet can advise you on the best protocol to protect your dog.
What are the diseases I should get my dog vaccinated for?
Vets get vaccinated against commonly-spread, highly infectious diseases that cause serious illness in local veterinary clinics. Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, and Canine Tracheobronchitis are the diseases at play (Canine Cough). Find out more thru their page.
Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a deadly, infectious disease spread via feces. Canines who are not vaccinated and older dogs are particularly vulnerable. The virus is highly resilient and can stay alive for an extended period. The symptoms are high body temperature, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. The only surefire to protect against this deadly illness is to get the vaccination.
Distemper
The highly contagious disease canine distemper is transmitted via nasal and ocular secretions. In later stages, neurological symptoms like paralysis and convulsions could be present in addition to the common early signs of fatigue and fever, as well as coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Canine distemper is very difficult to treat and, in many cases, fatal, which makes vaccination the best way to prevent this illness. Even if dogs survive the sickness, the nervous system and other organs could be permanently damaged.
Infectious Hepatitis
Canine Adenovirus Type 1 is responsible for the hepatitis canine infectious. Contact with infected urine, saliva, or feces from an infected dog is all required before the illness can spread. Symptoms of canine hepatitis range from mild to fatal and include liver disease, eye damage, and breathing difficulties.
Tracheobronchitis (Canine Cough)
Canine Parainfluenza virus, Canine Adenovirus Type II, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica are just some of the bacteria and viruses that may cause respiratory illness in dogs, and the term “canine cough” is used to describe them all collectively. Canine Cough is characterized by an unrelenting, dry cough that can last for weeks and is caused by viruses and bacteria that are spread throughout the air. Since it is a very contagious illness that can lead to life-threatening pneumonia for some pets, getting vaccinated for all dogs is recommended. If you are looking for a vet nearby, you search for “puppy or kitten vet near me” for more information.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing disease cannot be guaranteed, but vaccinating your pet is a great way to reduce the extent of any illness caused by these dangerous pathogens and increase the time required for the disease to clear up. Consuming high-quality pet food and keeping your pet clean can decrease the risk of getting sick by helping your pet maintain a robust immune system.