When a puppy is young, dog vaccinations are not necessary as it is protected from a lot of diseases by an immunity passed to them through their mother’s milk.
However, this protection fades, and so dogs will need their own vaccinations as they grow up.
When to get a dog vaccinated
A dog should have had its first round of vaccinations by eight weeks old, according to the RSPCA. They then need to get regular vaccinations, including a booster at 12 months.
There are a lot to have done, and it is important not to miss any of them. However, each dog is an individual, so you should speak to your vet about a schedule for when to come back for vaccinations.
They will be able to tell you what your dog needs and when.
What does a dog need vaccinating against?
Just like humans, dogs can be affected by a number of viruses. In most cases, these won’t affect people, but can make your dog sick.
This is why it is important to get them vaccinated against diseases.
Some of the more common dog viruses which are vaccinated against are:
- Canine distemper virus
- Leptospirosis
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine hepatitis
If you are planning on leaving your dog in kennels if you go on holiday or for another reason, you should mention this to your vet and see if he or she thinks your dog would benefit from a few extra vaccinations, such as against a form of flu.
Furthermore, taking your dog on holiday may pout him or her at risk of diseases like rabies, so be sure to check with the vet before you jet off, and see if you can get any vaccines to protect your pooch.
Cost of a dog vaccine
You will have to pay for the vaccinations that your dog has. If you bought them as a puppy from a breeder, you should make sure you know what vaccinations they have had (if any) before the breeder sold them to you.
Even if your dog is older and has outgrown the puppy stage, you should still make sure you have a list of their vaccination history where possible.
The price of vaccinations should not put you off, however. Precautions are often worth it. Without the vaccines, your dog could fall sick, and treatment may be even more expensive than the vaccines in the first place, not to mention the added emotional cost of watching your dog fall ill, and the danger that it puts them in.
Dog Vaccination Record Books
