Should You Vaccinate Your Dog?

Just as there different opinions on whether or not to vaccinate children, there are varying opinions on whether or not you should vaccinate your dogs…in fact it’s a highly debated topic.

Certainly pet owners want to protect their dogs from illness and disease, but, because many of the vaccinations should be brought current on an annual basis, there is concern that there may be problems caused by over vaccinating.

The purpose of vaccines…

The administration of a vaccine is to help you manage your dog’s health, to protect them from disease by supporting the immune system in doing it’s job.

There are a variety of vaccinations that are available, but not all are necessary for your dog. You should have a conversation with your veterinarian to see what would be recommended for your for your pet. Your vet will consider such things as:

• Your dog’s age
• Medical history
• The environment he/she lives in
• The type of life he lives…mostly indoor or mostly outdoor
• The amount your dog travels

The vital vaccinations…

At the very least, most veterinarians will recommend the vital, or core vaccines as necessary for your dog’s protection, and also often necessary for the possibility of diseases that can be transmitted to humans. There are non-core vaccines available also, but not all pets need to have them.

The core vaccines are:

1. Distemper
2. Rabies
3. Parvovirus
4. Canine Hepatitis

Your pet most likely will show little or no reaction to being vaccinated. But if by chance any of the following symptoms occur, call your vet immediately:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Redness or swelling around the injection area
• Difficulty breathing
• Unable to walk

The vaccines that guard against these diseases have probably saved many of our pet’s lives. Due to the fact that if a young puppy contracts one of them, the mortality rate can be between 60%-80%, begin immunizing early in their life.

In Washington State, the law requires that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine should be administered when your pup is 16 weeks old. They should receive a booster at 1 year old, and then another every 3 years after. Rabies is a disease that is also dangerous and can be spread to people through bites, exposure to open sores or wounds. and contact with mucous membranes found in the nose, eyes, or respiratory tract.

If your dog travels frequently it is important to have all core vaccinations current.

And if you want your dog to enroll in a doggie day care or training program, it will be required. (requirements for BowWow Fun Towne.)

For all your doggie daycare needs, Contact BowWow Fun Towne, you’ll find plenty of great activity and exercise here to help keep your dog happy while you’re away.