Vaccines for dogs are the first recommendations that should be taken into account when having a pet, the reason for this is that when dogs are puppies they are susceptible to all kinds of diseases, so it is best to provide them with the necessary care to protect him and those around him.
Why should dogs be vaccinated?
Many dogs are prone to getting sick quickly, even more often than humans themselves, however, dogs can be cured in various ways, facilitating their remarkably fast recovery process.
This happens with less deadly diseases, but when a dog is infected with some pathology that is stronger; the dog could die. This is motivated by the fact that there are no antidotes for dogs that are totally effective. For this reason, there are vaccines.
A correct administration of vaccines in dogs greatly helps to eliminate possible infections and viral infections, likewise, vaccination of dogs helps maintain a social environment without zoonoses, which refers to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people .
How does a vaccine help?
Vaccines at a general level are understood when you first have a basic concept of immunology, that is, if a dog gets sick, immediately its immune system would begin to develop a series of antibodies that serve as defenses to eliminate the disease the pathogen that has invaded your body.
Through the development of this process, the defenses are regenerated and form a kind of immunological memory, this means that when the pathogen comes into contact with this organism again, the immune system acts quickly to reduce the disease.
However, when the pathogen is very strong, it could kill the dog with just the first attack on it.
To counteract this problem, vaccines are developed. Thanks to them, the pathogen enters the body in a less aggressive way, subsequently the “immunological memory” is created.
By the time the disease attacks the body again, your body can effectively defend itself so that the disease is a little milder, as is the case with Distemper in dogs.
Types of vaccinations for a dog
There are various types of vaccines for dogs, among the most recognized are those developed with modified viruses, inactive viruses or viruses that are lifeless.
Similarly, there are combined vaccines that have been developed from some fragments of the pathogen, this decreases the antibody reaction, but improves immunity, however, one of these vaccines is needed from time to time.
Many of the vaccines mentioned are injected subcutaneously, although there are some that are given to the dog intranasally.
According to another of the types of vaccines for dogs, there are monovalent ones, these only protect the animal against a specific disease, while bivalent, trivalent and tetravalent are used for two or more diseases.
Vaccination schedule
El dog vaccination schedule It serves as a protocol that derives from some steps to follow for the correct administration of the vaccines. This tool helps us so that we do not forget when our dog should be given each vaccine, it also helps us to know which ones should be administered from time to time and which ones are optional.
Normally, the vaccination schedule for a dog is not the same everywhere, so the country or region where the dog is located will be taken into account, in addition to its breed and characteristics. For this reason, a prior adaptation of the calendar is needed when traveling somewhere in the company of the dog.
Vaccines that are recommended for a dog
Today there are several vaccines that are recommended for a dog to live well, although there are some that have been administered for several years and have been successful for the health of dogs.
However, there are some that have been created recently, this means that their operation is not exact at the level of well-being, however, they have been able to remain within the range of application for a dog.
Vaccines at a general level are in constant development, every so often vaccines for dogs are innovated; Next, we leave you a summary of which are the most used vaccines worldwide and which are the diseases that they combat.
Vaccine for canine distemper
In principle, we will begin by mentioning how distemper is defined in canines, which is considered to be that easily infectious viral disease among dogs, especially those that have not been vaccinated from the beginning. This pathology begins to appear in the dog with some neurological problems, stomach problems and catarrhal symptoms.
Once the infection has reached the nervous system, it begins to affect in such a way that the dog ends up dying, if the dog manages to be cured, it can have permanent effects from the infection; for this reason its vaccine is necessary from puppies, it should also be applied in adults to serve as a reinforcement of the one previously supplied.
This virus is found in the environment and is expelled from the body of an infected dog, this means that it is transmitted by inhalation, motivated by the fact that dogs smell the feces and urine of other dogs, this being the means by which it is transmitted the virus.
Almost any dog is capable of inhaling the virus and becoming infected, although it is generally unvaccinated dogs that are more likely to become infected, which is why puppies are the main source of transmission for this virus, as a consequence of the weakness of their immune system and without a properly established vaccination schedule.
Infectious Hepatitis Vaccine
It is a viral disease that is produced from canine adenovirus type 1. It usually attacks canine puppies under 12 months of age. This disease affects the dog's liver, as well as its blood system and kidneys.
It is an infection that can attack with force and milder on some occasions, when it attacks with force the dog can usually die in a few hours. This vaccine is considered one of the main ones, since it also helps fight the adenovirus that causes kennel cough.
Vaccine for leptospirosis
This belongs to the type of bacterial diseases which attacks the dog's body, specifically the kidney and liver, this bacterium is also usually present in various species of animals, which means that the vaccine is used for various types of animals, not only for the dogs.
The first symptoms will be reflected in the liver and kidney itself, but the disease could spread and have other complications. It is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transmitted to humans. For this reason, the veterinarian will be able to rule out a possible vaccination to sacrifice the animal.
Parvovirus vaccine
This disease is caused by a virus, it usually represents a serious complication that is capable of infecting puppies that are 1 to 4 months old. Doberman and Rottweiler breeds have been shown to have a higher susceptibility to this infection.
The first symptoms of this disease derive from diarrhea and bloody vomiting, which ultimately causes severe dehydration in the dog. The vaccine for dogs is required to avoid these complications, it also goes on the vaccine schedule as one that should be administered to adults to reinforce.
Coronavirus Vaccine
This disease results in a complicated digestive process, which is easily transmitted between dogs, generally to unvaccinated puppies and dogs that are weakened for some reason. Although it is true that the vaccine does not prevent the disease, it can help reduce its symptoms to a minimum.
It is a vaccine that is not part of the vaccination schedule, but it is advisable to administer it from time to time, especially if the dog lives in a place with other canine species. Through various investigations, it has been recommended not to use this vaccine, since it has adverse effects.
Rabies vaccine
The well-known rabies disease belongs to the type of zoonotic disease that is fatal to most living beings, although it is true that well-developed countries have vaccines to combat it, other countries such as India continue to suffer from positive cases for this disease.
The rabies vaccine should be applied to puppies under three months, subsequently it should be reinforced every two or three years, depending on the recommendations of the veterinarian. It is considered a mandatory vaccine, since it can cause a serial infection.
Parainfluenza vaccine
This is a virus that is considered the main reason kennel cough exists. Although it is true that the vaccine protects dogs, it does not eliminate the virus when the dog is already infected, so these already infected dogs are considered active sources of infection.
In order to eliminate the virus from an infected dog, the parainfluenza vaccine is combined with the Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine, however, it is a vaccine that does not offer a wide margin of protection, since it does not exceed 12 months. As a guarantee of lower risk, it is necessary to put it on the dog a couple of times a year.
Vaccine against Bordetella bronchiseptica
It is a bacterial virus, also the cause of kennel cough. Mainly it is not a disease that attacks with force, although if it is not treated it could cause pneumonia in the dog, which would become a fatal pathology for it.
The vaccine is generally applied to all types of dogs that will serve as contestants for canine events, also for dogs that will live in residences and other eventualities.
This type of vaccine is administered by any route, either orally, intranasally or subcutaneously, whatever the method, it serves to defend the dog against this virus. There is no exact data on the way in which a booster dose should be administered to the dog, it could be every year or even every six months.
Lyme disease vaccine
Lyme disease or borreliosis, is nothing more than a disease that originates from the bite of ticks, the first symptoms of this disease appear with inflammation and severe pain in the dog's joints. The antibodies promoted by the vaccine serve to kill the bacteria and also extend its effects for at least 1 year.
However, it is one of the vaccines that should be administered only in case the dog is at risk of infection; In addition to this, it is necessary to subject the canine to an effective treatment to avoid ticks, since the vaccine does not eliminate them. There are many people who constantly manually check their pets for ticks.
Canine Herpesvirus Vaccine
It is not an applicable vaccine for all dogs, since it is administered only to bitches that are in a state of pregnancy, it is responsible for avoiding spontaneous abortions and also the sudden death of puppies at birth. Its effects also serve to combat the disease of kennel cough.
This vaccine must be given when the bitch is in heat, if it has not been possible to vaccinate on that occasion, it is best to vaccinate her one week after the male has mounted her and subsequently fertilized her, the other dose can be given shortly time before you are due to give birth.
The process is repeated every time the female is going to get pregnant, once when she is in heat, another just before the days close to giving birth.
Vaccine for leishmaniasis
It is nothing more than a disease caused by a protozoan, which is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The first symptoms of this disease are diverse, since it affects several organs. For dogs suffering from this disease, there are many chances that they will suffer from it throughout their lives.
The first vaccines against this disease were beginning to be used in Brazil, since the presence of zoonoses in this region was quite high, however, in Europe the vaccine was not used until 2011.
Today this combined type vaccine is used, it is effective in dogs older than 6 months. It is quite effective with a single dose given once a year.
Previous serological tests are necessary to be able to vaccinate the dog, since the dose must be administered only in the event that the dog is infected by this protozoan. Keep in mind that the vaccine does not repel mosquitoes from the dog, so it will always be susceptible to infection; it is necessary to vaccinate it every year.
What are the mandatory vaccinations for dogs?
The vaccines for dogs that are mandatory to supply will depend on the health legislation in each country of the world, since not everywhere there is the same level of contagion of various diseases.
Likewise, the laws in charge of protecting animal life are very changeable at a conceptual level, therefore, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian first. The essential vaccines can often be the same in each country, since in general there are many contagious diseases that occur in any part of the world.
In order to provide the dog with all the necessary vaccines, its health stability must first be verified, in addition to knowing what its characteristics are. The reason for this is to know if he is susceptible or not to be infected with a certain disease, for this the veterinarian will thoroughly evaluate the dog to give his opinion and proceed to vaccinate.
The main vaccines that are mandatory in various parts of the world due to current health legislation are the following:
- For dogs with at least 4 or 6 weeks of age, the parvovirus vaccine, the distemper vaccine and a couple of polyvalent vaccines are given.
- Dogs of 8 weeks need to be vaccinated with a polyvalent.
- Those dogs with 12 weeks of life require a polyvalent vaccine that will serve as a reinforcement to the previous ones.
- Puppies at least 16 weeks old need the rabies vaccine.
- When the dog reaches 12 months of life, the polyvalent vaccine should be given as a booster, as well as the rabies vaccine to boost the previous one.
- Once the dog has passed one year of age, booster vaccinations against rabies should be given, although in some countries they should be given every two years.
vaccination for puppies
Next we mention you what vaccinations does a puppy needTherefore, when a puppy is born, its immune system is quite weak; for this reason they usually have contagion problems or infections that damage their health. To combat this, it is necessary to take precautions from birth and vaccinate them when they reach 4 weeks of age. With the first vaccine you activate your immune system.
Although it is true that with the first vaccine your immune system begins to develop, it needs reinforcement to be immune to the disease, so it will be essential that you administer the vaccine between 2 and 3 times until you are protected. .
The most appropriate thing would be to avoid booster vaccinations entirely before the dog is 4 months old. It is necessary to administer all the primary vaccines to the dog so that he can have a high level of immunity against the diseases that at his age can infect him.
Assuming that the doses of antibodies have not been administered correctly, just smelling a dog's feces or urine will be enough to make you sick. For this reason, it is recommended to vaccinate the dog between the first, second, third and fourth months; subsequently it should be revaccinated between 26 and 52 weeks of life.
Vaccination for adult dogs
Once the vaccination schedule in a puppy has been successfully completed, it is known that they are immune to various diseases, now what needs to be taken care of is their immunity through the frequent administration of booster vaccinations.
This process is known as revaccination, and it is applied every year with the necessary antibodies for the correct stimulation of the immune system. According to the characteristics of each dog, its vaccination schedule may vary.
At the time of adopting an adult dog, it is not known whether the dog has ever been vaccinated or not, or it may be many years without receiving a vaccination. In this circumstance, it is necessary to administer a polyvalent vaccine for a specific disease. Subsequently, revaccination is administered from time to time.
Vaccination for old dogs
When a dog reaches a senile age and reaches 8 and 10 years of age, it is not quite feasible to give him vaccinations, since his immune system reaches a limit where it is no longer possible to offer the necessary immunity to diseases, doing less the vaccine effective.
Everything would depend on the well-being of the dog, depending on its characteristics, whether or not the supply of vaccines to the dog could be stopped. However, the rabies vaccine must continue to be compulsory by current legislation in each country.
Why should a booster vaccine be given?
There are some vaccines that, although they offer immunity to dogs, their effects are not permanent. For this reason, immunological memory is lost, weakening the dog's defenses and leaving it vulnerable to diseases. That is why revaccination or booster vaccine is needed to keep it protected throughout its life.
In general, the booster vaccine does not have exact application times, as are the distemper, parvovirus and rabies vaccines, since they offer immunity to dogs for at least 3 and 9 years. There are also some very important vaccines that do have a period of application during the year.
Vaccines that have a lower radius of immunity can stop working even before 12 months. For this reason it is important to take the canine to a veterinarian just to adapt a vaccination schedule. An important fact is that there are vaccines that are sold together, forcing annual vaccination.
Can a vaccine fail?
Vaccines do not always have an optimal result, some may not be effective in some dogs, leaving them unprotected against possible threats. It usually happens when it has been applied incorrectly, or when the dog is not fit to receive the vaccine and develop the necessary antibodies.
In this situation, it is always best to go to a well-known veterinarian with a lot of experience in the canine field, thus reducing the margins of error in an application of vaccines for dogs.
In addition to the above, there are diseases and infections that have a variety of strains, for which there is not always a specific vaccine for each of them. This means that there will always be a small unprotected margin for the dog.
In this same context, there are several breeds of dogs that are more vulnerable to diseases than others, the Doberman and Rottweiler are much more vulnerable to parvovirus than any other breed. On the other hand, the Siberian Husky is much more susceptible to contracting distemper.
Why are dog vaccines expensive?
In each country there must be a Veterinary College, this would be the entity in charge of determining the prices of the vaccines depending on their function. If we have a puppy, it may be a bit expensive to administer so many vaccines, however, all this ends up being subsumed to a single vaccine per year.
From the moment we decide to have a dog as a pet, it is known that it implies some mandatory expenses, including visits to the veterinarian, expenses for deworming and vaccinations. For those who want to save money and want to vaccinate the dog of their own free will, it is the worst thing they could do. Misadministration of medication would be serious.
Side Effects of Vaccines
Once the dog has been vaccinated, it could have some side effects in which the canine would present some discomfort accompanied by fever, cough and loss of appetite. This is due to a mismanagement of the antibodies, since it is something that should not happen, nor are allergic reactions.
Contraindications
As soon as a dog is already sick due to some infection or viral contagion, its ability to produce antibodies will subsequently be affected, the vaccines will have no effect if the disease is already affecting the animal's body. The antibodies are only produced when the dog is in optimal condition.
There is also the case of dogs that are under the prescription of some immunosuppressive drugs, under this circumstance dogs should not be vaccinated with antibodies either.
Also, when a female is pregnant or you have the impression that she could be, it is forbidden to vaccinate her, except for the herpesvirus vaccine or when the veterinarian sees fit to do so.
A newborn puppy will be protected for about 8 weeks from its birth, thanks to the antibodies it has acquired directly from its mother's immune system.
Although it is necessary to vaccinate them from the 8th week of life, some veterinarians may allow a dose of antibodies to be administered a little earlier. That said, it should be noted that the administration of vaccines will depend on the evaluation of a professional veterinarian.