The Importance of Dog Vaccinations

You need to get your dog vaccinated in order to prevent it from various diseases. Various types of viruses are introduced into the body of the dog when the vaccines are administered. However the amount of organisms injected is less in quantity and thus they do not cause any sort of illness. The vaccines expose the dog's body to a virus so that their body can produce suitable antibodies against it. These antibodies will thus protect the dog from any natural infection with that particular virus.

There are two types of dog vaccines- the live virus vaccines and the dead virus vaccines. Live virus vaccines are more effective as they are able to generate a greater immune response from the dog's body. However veterinarians have different opinions regarding the efficacy of live viral vaccines. According to some, dead viruses are more effective in protecting the dog from diseases.

Rabies is a highly fatal disease in human beings. Thus dogs must be vaccinated against the rabies virus. Dogs have been receiving this vaccine for years and this has lead to a decline in the total number of rabies cases in the world. The incidence of rabies has also declined among human beings.

There are two broad categories of dog vaccines. The first one is core vaccines. This category includes a number of vaccines like canine distemper, parvovirus, canine, adenovirus and canine hepatitis.

The second group is the non core vaccines. This includes canine coronavirus, canine parainfluenza, giardia vaccine, Lyme disease, rattlesnake vaccine and bordatella vaccine for kennel cough.

These vaccines are administered as and when recommended by the veterinarians.

Nowadays, there is a huge debate going on about the efficacy and the necessity of these dog vaccines. Many veterinarians feel that all the vaccines should not be given to the dogs. For example, kennel cough is a disease which the dogs usually develop when they go out so it should be used only for such dogs. Lyme disease is another example. The disease is found only in certain parts of the country and dogs living in those regions should only get the vaccines.

Frequent vaccination is often a subject of debate amongst the veterinarians. According to some, regular administration of vaccines can have some serious consequences. It may lead to suppression of the immune system. The average life expectancy of the dogs may also decrease.

Nowadays the demand is to produce vaccines which can provide protection for a minimum of three years. The manufacturers have given in to this demand and such vaccines are now available. The frequency of vaccination decreases by using these vaccines.

Vaccines have number of advantages. Rabies vaccine has been the most successful dog vaccine in recent times. The rabies vaccine is now given every three year and this has lead to improvement in the dog's heath. People have also benefited from it.

Too much of anything is wrong and the same applies for vaccines too. Frequent vaccination can have adverse effects on the dogs. Too much vaccination leads to suppression of the immune system. The dog thus becomes prone to many diseases which it normally wouldn't have had it not been vaccinated excessively.

Vaccines are effective but to derive the maximum benefits from them, they should be timed properly. Many veterinarians and teaching hospitals now suggest that the dogs should not be vaccinated repeatedly for it can lead to serious health problems in them.

According to Dr Pitcairn, regular vaccination can introduce a number of diseases in dogs like diseases of the thyroid, skin problems and allergies.

People are becoming aware about the advantages of fewer vaccines. Administration of all the vaccine to all the dogs regularly is not the right approach. Dogs should be given only those vaccines which they require.

You must visit a veterinarian today in order to know that which vaccines are required for your dog.