What Is The Best Way To Keep Your Dog Healthy?

Get them their shots!

It’s August, and August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)…a great reminder that our “best friends” need their immunizations. This is a campaign to not only remind people to get their immunizations, but that it’s also important to keep our cats and dogs vaccinated so they can live long, healthy lives.

It isn’t difficult for your dog to come into contact with infected animals or airborne diseases, and if they aren’t vaccinated, they are left vulnerable to illness that will attack their immune, respiratory or gastrointestinal systems. The last thing we want to do is watch our beloved pooch suffer with illnesses such as these. In addition, some of the diseases they may encounter can also transfer to their human family.

Core and Non-Core Vaccinations

There are 2 basic types of vaccines…core and non-core, with the core vaccines being absolutely essential to the well being of your dog and your dog’s people – they are a must, because core vaccines fight those diseases that are easily transmitted to people and are fatal to your dog.

Core vaccines should be given every 1-3 years, and include:

• • Rabies – 100% fatal: After the initial vaccination, it is recommended to have a booster after 1 year and boosters every 3 years after that. Required in most states
  • Distemper – can cause brain damage: The first round, consisting of 3 doses administered when the pup is between 6-16 months, then a booster 1 year later. Adult dogs should receive boosters every 3 years after that.
  • Parvovirus – can be fatal: and should be administered the same as the distemper vaccine.
  • Adenovirus – there are 2 types of this disease:
    • Kennel Cough – typically infects dogs that are frequently boarded, and should be administered the same as the distemper vaccine.
    • Canine Hepatitis – can cause liver damage or death, and should be administered the same as the distemper vaccine.

Non-core vaccinations aren’t as essential as core vaccinations, but are still very important:

• • Lyme Disease – dogs are typically infected by ticks. This is an illness that causes joint pain, loss of energy, loss of appetite and lethargy. If your dog is going to be spending a lot of time outside, especially in wooded areas, it is advised that pups (or older dogs that haven’t been vaccinated) receive 2 doses about 2 weeks apart when they are around 12 weeks old.
  • Bordetella – is bacterial, and though not dangerous to adult dogs but can make puppies severely ill. Vaccines can be either by injection or intranasal…talk to your veterinarian  about when you should schedule your immunizations.
  • Leptospirosis – is associated with stagnant water and rodents. It’s symptoms are similar to Lyme disease with the addition of fever. And is administered the same as Lyme Disease.
  • Canine Influenza – Administered the same as Lyme Disease.
  • Parainfluenza – Not the same as Canine Influenza, it can cause fever and a cough, and is administered the same as Lyme Disease.

These are only general guidelines, as is always a good policy, consult your veterinarian for their recommendations.

At BowWow Fun Towne, we take your dog’s safety and health seriously, and have strict guidelines for our canine guests to have the proper vaccinations