Dog Vaccinations - What You Need to Know to Protect Your Dog

Almost all communities in the U.S. require at least one shot for your dog or puppy, and that's rabies. The rabies vaccine should be given when the puppy is twelve to sixteen weeks old, and then another one year later. Following, he'll need just one every three years. At around eight to sixteen weeks of age, the puppy's natural immunity from its mother's milk has worn off and it becomes at risk to a number of environmental hazards. For an older dog (above one year old), follow the same regimen as for a puppy. Be sure that you have proof that your dog or puppy has had his required rabies shot.

There is another shot recommended by many veterinarians, especially for puppies. This shot is often referred to as the five-in-one as the shot contains vaccines for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Para influenza and Parvo, known officially as DHLP-P or CORONA. For puppies, the first shot is given at six weeks, another at nine weeks, a third at twelve weeks, a fourth at sixteen weeks and once a year following. For older dogs, the shots can be administered once, then again after three weeks and once a year thereafter. Some veterinarians will also recommend shots against Bordetella, although this vaccine has been shown, in certain studies, to only last from six to eleven months, and hardly ever past one-year. It can be given to puppies as early as three weeks of age and to older dogs every year.

If you think that you're going to take your dog out into the wild outdoors; hunting, running, or if you live on a farm or near forests, you may consider vaccinating against Lyme disease. However, this vaccine is one of the most controversial as many dogs have died as a result of its side effects. If you groom your dog often and if it has short hair, you may be able to find and loosen any deer ticks, which cause the disease. It will take a tick one to two days to transmit the disease to your dog. If you pull a tick off of your dog, keep it in an airtight plastic container in case you have to visit a veterinarian. He can then test the tick as well as your dog for the disease. If your dog acquires Lyme disease, treatment is available and often involves the use of the antibiotic doxycycline over a period of three to four weeks. If Lyme disease reoccurs, continued treatment with antibiotics is the only sure option.

Another important preventative measure to ensure your pet's protection is the use of a heartworm preventative. If you live in a climate that's warm all year round, consider giving your dog the monthly pill. If temperatures fall below freezing for the winter, you can discontinue the use of the pill until spring returns. Wet and sloppy ground allows the worms to spread easily to your dog. Be especially wary of open grassy fields, such as cow pastures. Your dog will have to be tested for heartworms before he starts taking the medicine for the first time, or for each following year. Treatment for heartworms involves poisoning the dog's blood in hopes of killing off the worms, which reproduce in the dog's heart. It is a painful and deadly experience for your pet, so prevention is the best treatment.

It should be mentioned that some veterinarians out there, keen on alternative medicine for your dog, believe that vaccinations should be avoided at all costs. It has been shown that repeated vaccinations might actually weaken the immune system to the disease it's trying to prevent. There is also speculation that vaccinations, when combined, may actually cause an animal to have a higher chance of getting one of the diseases he is being vaccinated against. Your best bet is to ask a veterinarian you trust. Bring up the issues that concern you. Do research. A good option, if you do decide to vaccinate, is to keep a calendar or doggy passport that documents your pet's treatment with a signature and stamp.

About the Author:
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at Dog Gifts and Toys for Dog Lovers.

Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.

---

Parrot Keeping

Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing day. This is evidenced by the proliferation of Internet discussion lists which provide access to information regarding parrot care and behavior. This upsurge... Read More

Canine Parvovirus

Canine Parvovirus, is a viral disease that attacks dogs and if left untreated, it kills them within day's, usually due to dehydration and it's side effects.Parvo is caused by a virus present in... Read More

Crate Training for Puppies and Dogs

Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog, or even whether you should?Crate training gets a dog so used to being closed into a crate that he or she can safely... Read More

Dog Doors: Giving Your Pet Freedom to Come and Go as They Please Helps Solve Behavior Problems

Dog DoorsWhen we think of dog doors, we think of flaps that allow dogs to trot on through. What a great convenience this can be for you and your pet. Allowing your pet... Read More

Secret Signal That Tells You Your Dog is Ready and Eager to Learn

No one knows your dog better than you, and as such you will find your dog has ways of telling you, it's time to play. This can occur by him bringing you the... Read More

Westie Pups - How to Prepare for Your Westie Puppy

Just like when you bring home a new baby, you will need to prepare before you bring home your westie puppy. The needs of westie pups are not tremendous, but there are a... Read More

Home Hazards That Can Affect Our Pets

Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might surprise you to know how many hazards there are in a typical home for the pets we love.Most everyone is aware that anti-freeze,... Read More

Horse Care & Training Tips

Do you own a horse? If so, then you have questions about the care, feeding, shoeing, cost, etc. of horse ownership. The least expense of owning a horse, is the actual purchase. Once... Read More

Treat Fleas Naturally and Avoid Vaccinations, for a Truly Healthy Dog

An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual checkup with the vet. The vaccinations* which are given to your dog each year supposedly ensure your dog's immunity to some common infectious... Read More

How To Get Your Horse From Pulling Back While Tied

Some people have horses they don't dare tie. Why? Because they break their halters and/or crossties. So what is a person to do in their horse training practices?My first suggestion is to get... Read More

General Information, Caring For & Breeding Silkworms

BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native to Asia that spins a cocoon of fine, strong, lustrous fiber that is the source of commercial silk. The culture of silkworms is... Read More

Herding and the German Shepherd Dog

Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became domesticated, man became aware of the dogs herding ability. Tactics used by hunting wolves, witnessed by humans, such as driving and separating one... Read More

Identifying and Treating Health Problems in Your Dog

An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual checkup with the vet. The vaccinations* which are given to your dog each year ensure your dog's immunity to some common infectious diseases.... Read More

How Intelligent is Your Dog

It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence in your dog. Even puppies that are not especially smart nonetheless display flashes of brilliance in their behavior.And it is also very normal... Read More

Birdie Body Language

Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic body language out companions use to communicate with us. But it's usually the more negative ones! However, our buddies use a multitude of... Read More

How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Your Guide to Cat Diseases and Conditions, and How to Cure Them

Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes this means a simple "kitty cold," at other times the disease might have a more lasting or even fatal result. The following are... Read More

5 Tips For Choosing the Best Vet For Your Dog

Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals (as opposed to one who treats large and small ? like horses, cows, cats and dogs.) Your community may only have vets that... Read More

Toby ? My Whirling Twirling Sheltie

Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came to live in our home.He was tiny, blue-gray and white colored coat, skinny tail that hurt when it hit you and the biggest... Read More

Helping Your Pets Cope With The Stress Caused By Loud Noise

Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the lions, or the elephants, or the geese? it's us, humans. Our voices were not enough, we started making music and creating musical instruments... Read More

Quality Dog Food Is Essential For The Health Of Dogs

Dog food is very important for the health of dogs. It is easy to overlook it, but it is essential to pick the right dog food for your pet dog. People sometimes just... Read More

Feeding Bettas

Knowing how to feed your betta is fundamental, because doing it wrong can have big consequences for your betta's health. Nothing is more stressful than dealing with a sick fish, right? So, let's... Read More

A Horse Training Secret From The 1800s To Teach A Horse To Drive Without Lines!

Horse owners who are history buffs may recognize the name Jesse Beery. Beery was an enormously famous horse trainer from the 1800's and early 1900's.He learned to train horses at a very young... Read More

Brushing Up On Dog Grooming

Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been enjoying the great outdoors a little too much? Here are some simple tips for helping your dog put her best paw forward.It all... Read More

Tips to Help Solve the Three Most Common Dog Barking Complaints

Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even embarrassed by their dog's constant barking. Currently, there are approximately 63 million dogs owned by 44 million Americans. And just over one third... Read More

First Aid for Felines - How to Keep Your Car Safe from Harm

Cats are known for their curious and adventurous nature. Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat, but can often cause injury. The owner will likely have to get the cat stabilized before taking it... Read More

The Importance Of A Proper Correction

There are headstrong dogs that know too well that a verbal "no" from you is the worst that they're gonna get and this will quickly lead to them ignoring the handler. In the... Read More

Ear Mites in Dogs: Quite Earritating

Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be that he's embarrassed of his ear mite problem! All this time you thought he just had a bad case of ear wax like... Read More

Are You Feeding Your Cat The Right Food?

What should you feed your cat to make sure he or she will have the necessary nutrition? What is the ideal mix of food to help your cat live to the limit of... Read More

Protecting the Smallest Member of Your Family: A Step-by-step Guide to Pet Insurance

Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important part of your family. Do you want to have to assign a dollar value to them if they become sick or injured?That may... Read More