A to Z Guide for Dog Vaccination



There's nothing more frustrating for a pet parent than trying to keep up with their pet's vaccination schedule. It seems like every time you turn around, there's another shot your pup needs. And keeping track of all the different types of vaccinations can be a real challenge. But don't worry, we're here to help.

In this article, we provide a comprehensive A-to-Z guide for dog vaccination in India - covering everything you need to know about what shots are available, when they should be administered, and more!

Why vaccinate your dog?

There are a number of important reasons to vaccinate your dog. Vaccinations help protect your dog from a variety of serious and potentially deadly diseases.

They also help reduce the spread of disease among dogs and from dogs to humans.

Vaccinating your dog is one of the best things you can do to keep them healthy and happy and is an important part of responsible pet parenting.

So here's a quick rundown of the most common vaccinations dogs need.

5 Core Vaccines for Dogs

Rabies: Rabies is a serious disease that can be fatal to both dogs and humans.

All dogs should be vaccinated against rabies, and booster shots should be given every one to three years depending on state law.

Parvovirus: Parvovirus is a deadly disease that can affect dogs of all ages, but puppies are especially vulnerable.

The virus attacks the gastrointestinal system, causing severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Parvovirus can also cause heart problems and death. All dogs should be vaccinated against parvovirus, with booster shots given every one to two years.

Distemper: Distemper is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs.

It can cause severe coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and death. Puppies are especially vulnerable to the disease. All dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, with booster shots given every one to two years.

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects the kidneys and liver of dogs. It can be transmitted through contact with contaminated water or soil.

The disease can cause severe kidney damage and death. All dogs should be vaccinated against leptospirosis, with booster shots given every one to two years.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis: Hepatitis is a viral disease that affects the liver of dogs. The symptoms can range from loss of appetite and thirst, fever and bleeding.

It is usually spread through contact with contaminated or infected urine, saliva or faeces.

Non-core Vaccines for Dogs: There are a few vaccines that are considered "non-core" for dogs, which means that they are not necessarily required for all dogs.

However, your veterinarian may recommend them based on your dog's lifestyle and risk factors. These non-core vaccines include Bordetella, Canine Influenza, Lyme Vaccine, and Coronavirus.

Bordetella (kennel cough) is a bacteria that can cause respiratory infections in dogs. It is often spread through close contact with other dogs, so if your dog socialises with other dogs regularly, your veterinarian may recommend this vaccine.

Canine ParaInfluenza is a virus that can cause respiratory illness in dogs. It is most commonly spread through close contact with other infected dogs. You might want to get this vaccine once you discuss it with your veterinarian.

Lyme Vaccine is used to help prevent Lyme Disease, which is caused by a bacteria transmitted by ticks.

If your dog spends time in areas where ticks are common (such as woods or tall grass), your veterinarian may recommend this vaccine.

Coronavirus: The canine coronavirus (CCoV) is a virus that can cause intestinal infections and abdominal discomfort in dogs.

It is most commonly spread through close contact with other infected dogs, therefore, if your dog socialises with other dogs regularly, you can consider administering this vaccine once you discuss it with your veterinarian.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule and Dog Vaccination Schedule

Puppy Vaccine Schedule

Puppies should start their vaccinations at 6-8 weeks old. They will need a booster shot every 3-4 weeks of core vaccines until they are 16 weeks old. After that, they will need an annual booster shot. 

Adult Dogs Vaccination Schedule

Once your puppy reaches the age of 1 and has been administered with all the core vaccines, you can start implementing a schedule for your adult dog vaccination needs. These are usually periodic booster doses of DHPP and a few more additions.

Booster Doses:

DHPP: Every 3 years once after the 1st year booster dose

Rabies: Every 3 years once after the 1st year booster dose

Leptospirosis: Every year after the 1st year booster dose

Bordetella: Every year after the 1st year booster dose ( If the vet recommends it for your dog)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are there any side effects of vaccines?

Answer: Your puppy may seem a little withdrawn or might get a mild fever in response to the immune system reacting to the vaccine.

2. What should and shouldn't puppies do after the vaccination?

Answer: ​​After the vaccination, the puppies should rest in a calm and quiet place as their system is working hard to protect their bodies from the new vaccine.

3, They should be fed high-quality food and given plenty of water.

Answer: However, if you find that your puppy hasn’t recovered and bounced back to normal activity in 24-48 hours, you should get in touch with a veterinarian.

4. Do puppies need annual booster doses?

Answer: Yes, puppies need annual booster doses for parvovirus, hepatitis and distemper.

5. What is the 5 in 1 vaccination for dogs?

Answer: Commonly known as DHPP, the 5 in 1 vaccination protects canines against diseases like hepatitis, parainfluenza, distemper virus, kennel cough, and parvovirus.

6. What is the 7 in 1 vaccine for dogs?

Answer: Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Corona Viral Enteritis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Leptospirosis are all protected by the 7-in-1 vaccine for dogs.

Vaccinating your dog is a crucial part of responsible pet parenting. By following the A to Z guide for Dog Vaccination outlined above, you can ensure that your beloved pup stays healthy and happy for years to come. As always, it's important to consult with your veterinarian about which vaccinations are best suited for your pet – but by being informed and prepared, you'll be well on your way to giving your pup the best care possible.

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Dogsee:

As a brand that manufactures the most loving treats for dogs, Dogsee has always stood by the best pet care practices and encourages all pet parents to be more informed about pet parenting. We are committed to providing the best possible products and ingredients for dogs, as well as promoting responsible pet ownership through education and awareness.