The Importance of Dog Vaccinations: Protect Your Dog from Dangerous Diseases
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Vaccination is one of the most effective forms of prevention for dogs. It not only protects your pet from serious and often fatal diseases, but also helps protect other animals and even people.
What you need to know about basic vaccinations for dogs
Core vaccinations are recommended by veterinary guidelines for all dogs, regardless of age, breed, or lifestyle. These include vaccines against:
- Rabies – a deadly disease that can also be transmitted to humans . (1*)
- Canine distemper virus – a virus that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
- Parvovirus ( Canine parvovirus ) – a severe and often fatal intestinal disease, especially in puppies.
- Adenovirus type 1 ( Infectious canine hepatitis ) – causes liver inflammation and other serious complications. (2*)
The vaccination schedule begins in puppies, usually at 6–8 weeks of age, followed by multiple doses spaced a few weeks apart and subsequent regular boosters.
Why vaccination is so important to protect your dog and other animals
Vaccinations protect individual dogs while reducing the spread of disease in the population – a phenomenon called herd immunity. (3*) When enough dogs are vaccinated, the disease spreads more slowly, which also protects those who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons (e.g. very sick or very young dogs).
Without vaccination, dogs are exposed to dangerous diseases that can be fatal quickly or have long-term consequences. Vaccination is therefore one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life.
Frequently asked questions about vaccination and answers
Is vaccination safe?
Yes, dog vaccines are thoroughly tested. Side effects are rare and usually mild (e.g. temporary fatigue or slight swelling at the vaccination site). (4*)
Does my dog need to be vaccinated every year?
The frequency of vaccinations depends on the type of vaccine. Some provide protection for several years, while others need to be renewed annually. Your veterinarian will adjust the vaccination schedule based on your dog's lifestyle and environment.
What about older dogs?
Older dogs also need booster vaccinations, as immunity decreases over time.
Conclusion
Vaccinations are the cornerstone of responsible dog ownership. They not only protect your pet, but also other animals and people. Consult your veterinarian about the appropriate vaccination schedule to ensure your dog is protected from dangerous diseases.
Literature: (*)
1. Source: Rabies vaccines: WHO position paper, (WHO), https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/272372/WER9316-201-219.pdf?sequence=1
2. Source: Greene's Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat, (JE Sykes)
3. Source: WSAVA Guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats, (MJ Day, MC Horzinek, RD Schultz, RA Squires), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26780857/
4. Source: Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs, (GE Moore, LF Guptill, MP Ward, NW Glickman, KK Faunt, HB Lewis, LT Glickman), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16220670/