Understanding Puppy Vaccinations: Everything You Need To Know
- Saee Giri
- 13 August, 2024
Just like human kids, puppies need vaccination before they grow older. Before you buy a puppy from a reputed dog breeder, ensure that you consider vaccination and the expenses associated with the same. Some breeders may also sell you vaccinated puppies.
Puppy vaccinations are important to ensure sound puppy health. You would never want your furry friend to suffer due to your careless mistake. If you have any confusion regarding any vaccine, get in touch with a trusted vet in your town or the dog breeder selling you the puppy.
Moreover, different breeds may have different vaccination needs. Take them into consideration while you look for furry friends. For example, if you are looking for Beagle puppies for sale in India, know the vaccination needs of a Beagle puppy in advance. This will help you manage your budget and keep your pooch healthy throughout its life.
If you are a new pet parent, here is everything you should know about puppy vaccinations:
Why Should You Vaccinate Your Puppy?
The reason behind vaccinating humans and puppies is the same – preventing them from specific health complications. When you vaccinate your furry friend, you save it from a range of different health issues, many of which can be fatal.
Timely vaccinations stimulate your pup’s immune system and help your pooch stay healthy. It is almost like giving your puppy a shield against a few specific diseases as it grows older. Ensure that you take your pet to a vet at regular intervals and give it the vaccines it needs without fail.
Essential (Core) Vaccines For Your Puppy
Core vaccines are important for puppies of almost all breeds. They ensure sound health and keep your pet safe from a variety of different contaminants.
Here are the core vaccines your puppy will need to stay healthy:
Canine Distemper Virus
This vaccine protects your furry friend against a viral disease that would otherwise affect its gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems. Canine distemper is a serious health issue that leads to symptoms like coughing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and more.
Canine Parvovirus
This is another vaccine that keeps a viral disease at bay. If not vaccinated on time, your puppy may fall prey to parvovirus. This health complication affects the gastrointestinal systems of dogs. If infected, a furry friend may display symptoms like bloody diarrhea, dehydration, a loss of appetite, vomiting, and more.
Canine Adenovirus
Your puppy will also need two of these vaccinated, namely Canine Adenovirus-1 (CAV-1) and Canine Adenovirus-2 (CAV-2). While the former protects your pooch against infectious hepatitis, the latter gives it a shield against a serious respiratory disease.
Failing to give these vaccines to your pet may render its immune system vulnerable. This allows canine adenovirus to infect its body, leading to complications like abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, cough, and nasal discharge.
Rabies
Yes, rabies can harm a dog’s health, too! This virus can adversely affect your furry friend’s central nervous system, making a vaccine necessary. If not vaccinated, a puppy may be at risk of developing complications like seizures, hypersensitivity, behavioral changes, and more. Prolonged rabies without any cure or vaccination can also be fatal for your pet.
Non-essential Vaccines
Let us now have a look at a few non-core vaccines that are not 100% essential but depend on your puppy’s exposure to specific health risks:
Bordetella
The Bordetella Bronchiseptica vaccine keeps your furry friend safe from kennel cough. This respiratory condition, if not tackled effectively, can lead to serious complications, such as gagging, nasal discharge, persistent cough, and more. If your geographical location or lifestyle puts your pet at risk of kennel cough, ensure that your furry friend gets this vaccine on time.
Leptospira spp.
This non-essential vaccine keeps your pooch safe against leptospirosis. This health complication can manifest itself in multiple ways, such as muscle pain, fever, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea, and more. Serious cases of leptospirosis can also lead to liver and kidney failure in your furry friend.
Borrelia Burgdorferi
Borrelia burgdorferi is given to puppies at risk of developing Lyme Disease. If ignored, it can make its presence felt through symptoms like swollen joints, fever, lethargy, a loss of appetite, and lameness.
Canine Influenza Virus
Finally, this vaccine protects your pet against canine influenza. If your furry friend is not vaccinated despite living in high-risk conditions, it may start showing symptoms like nasal discharge, cough, lethargy, a loss of appetite, and more.
What Are Boosters And Titters?
Now that we are discussing puppy vaccinations, we should also take boosters and titters into consideration. You are bound to hear these terms when you visit a vet as a pet parent.
Boosters refer to the shots your furry friend may need after turning into an adult. Most core vaccines need to be boosted once every one to three years, depending on your pet’s health.
Titters, on the other hand, are the blood tests used to measure your pooch’s immunity to specific health complications. Titters help vets decide if your pet will need booster shots.
Do Puppy Vaccinations Have Side Effects?
Yes, some puppy vaccinations may have side effects. However, you need not worry about these conditions as they are not serious. Medications and a little care can help your pet tackle these issues.
Common side effects associated with puppy vaccinations include reduced appetite, mild fever, fatigue, mild soreness, or temporary swelling at the injection site. Contact a trusted vet immediately if you notice any of these signs in your furry friend shortly after vaccination.
Receive Personalized Help With Puppy Vaccinations Upon Buying A Puppy From Saee Kennel
If you are a first-time pet parent and are still confused regarding puppy vaccinations, Saee Kennel will clear all your doubts. Our team of dog breeders and canine experts will guide you every step of the way as you vaccinate your puppy. Moreover, if you need a puppy that is already vaccinated, you can always let us know. We will make all the necessary arrangements to get you the puppy you need!