Keep Your Pet Healthy: The Vaccines Every Dog Needs

August 2018 | Posted by Tender Care Animal Hospital

One of the first things to think about after getting a new puppy is how to keep that puppy healthy not only through their first year but for the duration of their lives as members of your family. Knowing that, there are a number of vaccines that dogs should get during that first year, and Tender Care Animal Hospital staffs the medical professionals required to make sure all of those puppy shots happen smoothly and at the right time of the dog's life.

Here's a summary of the vaccines your dog should get during its first year of life:

Canine Distemper

Distemper is one of the nastier diseases that can hit dogs, as it affects their respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Vaccinations can help prevent your pet from being affected.

Canine Hepatitis

Canine hepatitis is an incredibly contagious virus affecting the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes. It can be very painful for dogs, who can suffer from vomiting, jaundice and bloating. At worst, the disease can be deadly.

Corona Virus

Corona virus typically affects the GI system but can also cause infections in a dog's lungs. There is no drug that kills corona viruses, so getting vaccinated for them ahead of time is the best defense to keep your dog from catching one.

Heartworm

Preventative treatment for heartworm can start as early as 12 weeks. It's not a vaccine, but the condition can be prevented with regular medication. That's exactly why it's on the vaccination schedule for puppies. With this condition, small worms lodge themselves into the dog's heart and grow up to 14 inches long, blocking internal organs and causing a range of health issues. Proper treatment for the condition is imperative.

Parvovirus

One of the most contagious diseases for dogs, parvo is a virus that attacks unvaccinated puppies under four months of age. It attacks the GI system and can lead to vomiting and severely bloody stools, so it is not outside the realm of possibility that this disease could hit and cause death within 48 hours due to dehydration. There is no cure.

Rabies

Perhaps the most famous viral disease for dogs, rabies attacks the central nervous system and causes headaches, anxiety, hallucinations, and even death. Most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, there's a better chance of survival if the dog has been vaccinated.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause fits of coughing and vomiting, and in the worst reported cases, it also can cause seizure and death. Nothing causes more cases of kennel cough than this bacterium, so treating with a vaccine (either an injection or a nasal spray) is a good idea.

Kennel Cough

Caused by viral and bacterial infections, this upper respiratory inflammation can get rather nasty, causing dogs to cough, sometimes to the point of retching.

If you have any questions about these vaccines or want to make an appointment with a trusted pet vaccination clinic, contact Tender Care Animal Hospital. We'll make sure your dog has everything it needs to live a long, healthy life.