It’s great to bring a new pet home but as an owner, your first job should be to book puppy vaccinations. When you get a new puppy, there are so many things to think about… House training, beds, crates, toys, puppy-proofing your home! But the most important thing is to protect your puppy’s health.
Why Should I Book Puppy Vaccinations?
Newborn puppies rely on the antibodies in their mother’s milk to protect them against harmful microorganisms. But this protection fades over time and may be impaired if the mother was never vaccinated.
So puppy vaccinations help protect your dog against a number of serious diseases. Some of these diseases are very infectious and can cause severe sickness and even death. Vaccination stops your dog from catching these diseases.
Just as importantly, puppy vaccinations also stop your pet from spreading diseases to other dogs. By being a responsible pet owner and vaccinating, you will make the dog population safer overall!
What Will My Puppy Be Vaccinated Against?
Puppy vaccinations will protect your pet from these 5 main diseases:
Parvovirus
Typical symptoms of parvovirus are bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, weakness, dehydration and sometimes death.
Canine Distemper
Signs of canine distemper include sneezing, coughing and thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose. Fever, lethargy, sudden vomiting and diarrhea, depression and/or loss of appetite are also symptoms of this virus.
Leptospirosis
Dogs infected with leptospirosis show signs of lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, increased thirst and urination. Dogs may develop jaundice & death can occur.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Infectious Canine Hepatitis is a worldwide, contagious disease of dogs. Signs vary from a slight fever and congestion of the mucous membranes to severe depression. Other symptoms include marked suppression of the immune system, and blood clotting disorders.
Parainfluenza
Symptoms of Parainfluenza include a hacking cough, coughing up phlegm, nasal discharge and fever. Your pet may also suffer from sneezing or gagging, and pneumonia can develop in some cases.
When Do I Need to Book Puppy Vaccinations?
Puppy vaccinations programme will usually begin at around eight weeks of age. So, if the puppy is born into your household, you can call us to book their first vaccinations. We will advise you about a vaccination schedule.
However, a new puppy may have started their vaccinations before they become your pet. Make sure you find out what puppy vaccinations they have already received . These details should be documented on a vaccination card which is signed and stamped by the issuing vet. If there is no supporting documentation you should not rely on the pup being properly vaccinated. We will create a vaccination schedule and record for you and make sure to include all puppy vaccinations already received.
Puppies are very vulnerable to disease because of their immature immune systems. For some high-risk puppies, an earlier injection against Parvovirus may be needed at 5 weeks old. However, puppies usually start vaccinations at around 8 weeks old, followed, 2-4 weeks later by a second set of injections.
Things You Should Know About Puppy Vaccinations
It is important to keep your puppy away from unvaccinated dogs until they get all their vaccinations. Normally they are not fully protected until around two weeks after their second injections.
Where your puppy came from can have a huge impact on their health and happiness. Newborn puppies get some protection against diseases through their mother’s milk, if their mother was vaccinated. This can help keep them healthy before they are able to get vaccinated themselves.
Puppies that have been illegally imported or bred on puppy farms are more likely to suffer serious illnesses like parvovirus. Their mothers may not have been vaccinated and therefore can’t pass on their immunity.
So always buy from a reputable breeder. You may be told the puppy has received vaccinations. However, you should be given a vaccination record stamped by a registered veterinary practice.
Booster Vaccinations for Dogs
After having their initial vaccinations as a puppy, your dog will need regular booster injections throughout their life. This is to help keep them protected as over time their immunity to the disease gets weaker. If you do not keep on top of your dog’s vaccinations, they will be more at risk of catching infectious diseases.
Boosters for Distemper, Parvovirus Canine Hepatitis & Parainfluenza are usually needed every three years. Boosters for Leptospirosis are needed every year. Always bring your dog’s vaccination record to be updated with its booster details.
Just call us on (074) 937 4127 to make an appointment for your dog.
Find out more here about buying a puppy.
You can book your puppy vaccinations here with us at Carn Vet Clinic. Details here.
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