The Importance of Puppy and Adult Dog Vaccinations in Phoenix, AZ

Animals can get sick just like we do. Luckily, a lot of these problems are preventable with good nutrition, regular exercise and annual veterinary visits that help identify common risk factors. Canine health, especially puppy health, depends on available vaccinations that are given to prevent the more serious canine diseases. Some shots are given as a series within a certain timeframe. While you can find this information on your own, your vet can put together a vaccination schedule for your puppy, and will explain each vaccine in detail.

Let’s take a look at the importance of puppy and dog vaccinations in Phoenix, AZ: why your pup needs them, and the diseases for which vaccinations are required.

Reasons puppies and dogs need to be vaccinated

Canine vaccinations train the immune system to respond more efficiently and quickly in the event that a pathogen does present itself. There are many benefits that come along with vaccinating your pup:

• Prevent pet illnesses: Like human vaccinations, not all canine vaccines cover every single disease known to attack dogs. They do, however, provide protection against some of the more common illnesses that affect dogs. When you start vaccinating your puppy at a young age, you’re helping them develop into a healthy, happy adult dog. It also reduces the number of canine illnesses you’ll need to worry about.
• Prevent transmission of disease to others: Did you know that some illnesses allow a sick dog to transmit to humans and other pets? Statistically, a multi-pet household with one sick pet has an increased risk of other pets getting sick. What’s worse is that the germs present in some canine illnesses and infections can be transmitted directly to people through licking, even by touch. The more sick people and pets you have in your home, the more you’ll be spending on medical bills.
• Avoid costly treatments: When dogs get sick, the vet has to run tests and prescribe medications, and might even have to do surgery. And in most cases, the disease is already at an advanced stage. We’re talking costly treatments involving laboratory and diagnostic fees, hospitalization costs and, in some serious cases, blood transfusions. You can save yourself from expensive treatments by vaccinating your pets early on.

Parvovirus infection

Puppies younger than four months old are the most vulnerable to the deadly effects of the parvovirus. It’s common for puppies to not experience neurological symptoms, but they can die from extreme dehydration after severe vomiting and/or bloody diarrhea, typically within 48 to 72 hours of infection. Keep in mind that there is no known cure for parvovirus infections, which puts unvaccinated dogs in the high-risk category. Parvovirus vaccines are given to puppies starting at six weeks old, repeated every two to four weeks, then given a booster shot at 12 months old.

Puppy vaccines are extremely important to prevent diseases like the parvovirus from spreading. Call Christown Animal Hospital today to schedule a time to come in to get your furry pal all the puppy or dog vaccinations in Phoenix, AZ they need!

Categorised in: Dog Vaccinations

This post was written by Writer