Vaccinations for Your Doxie
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Vaccines are an important tool in keeping your Dachshund healthy, but a few do carry some risk of allergic reaction.Knowing which are optional and which are vital can help improve your odds of doing good without doing harm.
- Rabies
Rabies vaccine is among the most important for your Dachshund, as it is for any dog.While the disease is much less common today, the consequences of getting it are still so drastic – often fatal – that most veterinarians still recommend it.
Rabies vaccinations are normally given every year to puppies and every two to three years subsequently.Most states require the vaccination and establish a specific schedule.That is being reviewed as research now proclaims that immunization lasts three years or more.See your veterinarian for specific guidelines, but also seek a second or even third opinion and decide accordingly.
Serious side effects from the vaccination are rare, but may include hives, swelling, fever, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.
Distemper shots used to be routine. Today they are still common, but schedules have lengthened.Contemporary research shows that puppies given a series of vaccinations will develop antibodies that last several years.First vaccines should be given at approximately eight weeks.As with any vaccination, the schedule can vary from one part of the country to another, since prevalence and the associated risks of the disease vary geographically.See your veterinarian.
- Parvo
A vaccine to protect against the parvovirus is often combined with that for distemper, though it can be given separately.Keep in mind that “combo” vaccinations present a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the source of any issue more difficult.
No-Fail House Dog Training Guide
In some dogs, the immune system goes into “hyperdrive” and produces facial swelling, redness of the gums and other symptoms.If a problem occurs, it commonly happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet’s facility after any vaccination.Watch your Doxie attentively.Have Benadryl stocked and call your vet at the first sign of a reaction.
- Hepatitis
This shot helps protect against infectious canine hepatitis. Here again, the disease is not common and the shot carries a small risk of allergic reaction.However, the disease is serious enough that owners will want to discuss the subject carefully with their veterinarian and seek a second opinion before deciding.Being as modified live virus is used, kidney infections are possible following the vaccination.
- Lepto
Shots to immunized against the leptospira bacteria used to be routine, and in many areas still are.Keep in mind that this is another vaccine that may cause a reaction and offers only short-lived protection against the disease.Since the disease itself is uncommon, this vaccination is considered “non-core” by many vets today.
- Bordatella
The Bordatella organism causes a fairly common condition popurlarly known as “kennel cough”.The name originates from the fact that the organism has the ability to be airborne and can spread when dogs are house close together.It is not a serious disease, but does warrant treatment when it arises.
This vaccine is probably not necessary if your Doxie does not come into contact with strange dogs.Exceptions are in areas where the disease has gone unchecked, or when you intend to go on vacation and board your Doxie.
Summary
Vaccines are a low-risk, outstanding way to protect your Dachshund against a wide array of diseases.But “low-risk” doesn’t mean “no risk” and what was once a routine habit has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved exploration.
Paranoia about vaccines is unfounded. After all, the risk of disease is not zero, either.Nevertheless, careful consideration of the benefits and risks will help maximize your dog’s health.
Technorati Tags: No Tags
Related Tags: No Tags
Possible Related Posts
Doxie TemperamentAggression Suppression in Your DachshundGrooming Your Doxie
