Protecting your best friend

One of the most important things you can do to give your dog a long and healthy life is to ensure that he or she is vaccinated against common canine diseases. Your dog's mother gave her puppy immunity from disease-fighting antibodies in her milk. After that period it's up to you, with the help and advice of your veterinarian, to provide that protection through vaccination.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines contain small quantities of altered or “killed” viruses,
bacteria or other disease-causing organisms. When administered,
they stimulate your dog’s immune system to produce disease-fighting
cells and proteins – or antibodies – to protect against disease.

When should my dog be vaccinated?

The immunity that a puppy has at birth begins to diminish sometime
between 6 and 12weeks. It is then usually time to begin the initial
vaccinations, which will be repeated once a month until the puppy is
about 3 to 4months old. Thereafter, your dog will require repeat
vaccination at regular intervals for the rest of his or her life. Above all,
follow the vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian – if
there is too long an interval between the first vaccination and the
booster, your dog may have to undergo the series all over again.

Which vaccinations should my dog receive?

Most veterinarians believe that your pet should be protected
against those diseases which are most common, highly
contagious and which cause serious illness. Such diseases
could include Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis,
Canine Parvovirus, Canine Tracheobronchitis and Rabies.
Other vaccinations may be recommended, based on your
veterinarian’s evaluation of the risks posed by such factors as
your dog’s particular heredity, environment and lifestyle.

How effective is vaccination?

Like any drug treatment or surgical procedure, vaccinations
cannot be 100% guaranteed. However,used in conjunction with
proper nutrition and acceptable sanitary conditions, vaccination
is clearly your pet’s best defense against disease. Plus, when you
consider what treating a serious illness can cost you and your
beloved dog in terms of both money and distress, prevention
through vaccination is the better choice.