Vaccinations
Dogs can be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis and kennel cough. Despite the availability of vaccines, many dogs die each year from these diseases in the UK.
Here are some points for you to consider:
Dogs can be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis and kennel cough. Despite the availability of vaccines, many dogs die each year from these diseases in the UK.
Here are some points for you to consider:
- • Puppies receive some immunity from their mothers, both via the placenta before birth and in the first milk, known as the colostrum. However, this immunity fades, halving every 8 days until it is ineffective, from 6 - 12 weeks of age depending on the level of antibodies they initially received from their mothers. For this reason, a puppy should receive the initial vaccinations from 8 - 9 weeks of age.
- • Vaccines contain a form of the organism that dogs need to be protected against. Administering a weak dose of a disease, in the form of a vaccine, stimulates the dog's immune system to produce antibodies which fight the specific disease.
- • Vaccines are given in different ways. Most are injected into the 'scruff' of the dog's neck. However, the kennel cough vaccination (Bordetella) is given as drops via the dog's nose.
- • Regular (usually once a year – more often for Bordetella) vaccinations are necessary to boost the dog's immunity levels to ensure the dog remains protected against the diseases.
- • Should an unvaccinated dog or puppy be exposed to one of these diseases it could prove to be fatal. Those who do recover can be left with long-term damage to vital organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys.
