Common Questions About Dog Vaccinations

All dog owners should have their furry companion vaccinated against common diseases.    Below, common questions about vaccinations are answered.  Understanding vaccinations is important to keep your pet healthy.

One of the most common questions about vaccinations is whether the dog needs to be given vaccinations during the first week of age or not.  Definetly not.   This will interfere with maternal antibody levels.  Puppies should be vaccinated for the first time within five to six weeks of age.  If they did not receive these vaccinations against the parvoviral infections used to kill viral vaccines and measles disease, then they may be given at a later age. 
 
Another common question is whether a dog should be given bordetella disease vaccine and lyme disease vaccine. No, these vaccines are only optional. 

Can a pregnant animal be vaccinated? Yes.  Two to three weeks before the birth of the puppies is  expected, the pregnant animal may be vaccinated against viral diseases. This helps to provide maternal antibodies to the young ones to be given at birth.

Is there any need to give a rabies vaccine to dogs? Yes.  It is a must  for the anti rabies vaccine to be given to dogs.  This is mandatory in many parts of the United States.  Once your dog is vaccinated he is given a number that is registered with the county you live in.

How often should an anti-rabies vaccine be given to dogs? The first Rabies vaccine is given at the age of thirteen to fifteen weeks and should be repeated in fifteen months and then once every three years depending on the risk factor of where you live.  Some veternarians give this vaccine once a year.  It is important that the dog is given this vaccine.

Is there any need for the canine distemper vaccination to be given to dogs? Yes. All dogs should be vaccinated against the canine distemper disease.  This disease is one of the most common in dogs. 

 Is there any vaccination against leptospirosis and at what age, the dog is to be vaccinated?   This is to be given at the age of six to eight weeks, again at ten to twelve weeks, and again at thirteen to sixteen weeks of age.

It is important to make sure your dog receives the proper vaccinations.  It is the duty of a responsible pet parent to keep their pooch healthy.