The Importance of Vaccinating Your Dog: Preventing Deadly Diseases

You know that your vet recommends certain vaccinations for your dog. Sometimes you may question the need for all those shots. We want to give you a guide and a quick overview of what those vaccinations are and when your pup needs them.

6-8 Weeks old

When your little one is this young, it’s crucial to get the parvovirus and distemper vaccinations. Parvo is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or contaminated object. That means it’s highly difficult to minimize exposure once it has hit. This is a terrible sickness that makes your dog very ill. The predominant symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. There is no cure for parvo and it can be fatal. The survival rate is 68 to 92 percent if treated by a veterinarian in time.

10-12 Weeks old

Your vet will most likely recommend The DHPP vaccine which is for distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease that’s caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, GI, and nervous systems of dogs.

16-18 Weeks old

Your furry friend may not need as many pokes at this age. Typically most vets recommend the DHPP and rabies vaccines. If your pup loves the water and you frequent the beach or lake, a leptospirosis vaccination may be in order. Many owners don’t know this, but dogs can get infected with this disease from contaminated soil and water. It’s a serious illness that can cause death and be passed from a mother dog to a puppy. If you board your pet, it is good to get a Bordetella vaccine.

12-16 Months old

Again, at this age, your pet may only need a couple of shots. Your veterinarian will likely recommend the DHPP and rabies vaccines. The Bordetella vaccine can prevent kennel cough if you travel and like to board your pet, or if your pup spends time with his canine buddies.

Every 1-2 years

Lifestyle dictates many of the vaccines your vet will advise you to get for your dog at this point. The DHPP will be given at this time and other vaccines may be offered. Some of those are influenza, coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Lyme, and Bordetella. Your vet will talk to you about your preferences.

Every 1-3 years

Getting a rabies vaccine is required by law. This is necessary to keep your dog and others safe from rabies. Rabies is preventable when your dog gets regular vaccines. The disease gets transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. If a dog gets rabies, it eventually causes death.

Keeping your dog healthy

It’s usually not fun to take your best buddies to the vet for vaccines, but it’s necessary to keep them healthy and let them enjoy an active lifestyle. A quick trip to your favorite vet is worth it for the amount of love your dog gives you all year long. Afterward, you can spoil your pet with a favorite treat from Jeffers, like Yummy Bones chews that you can get in peanut butter or chicken flavor, to please even the pickiest pup!