Puppy vaccinations protect against diseases like canine distemper.
A nursing puppy receives antibodies through his mother's milk, but protection decreases after he gets older, leaving the puppy susceptible to infectious disease. While meeting with your veterinarian for a puppy wellness check, the vet will discuss the recommended immunization schedule for your new family member.
Function
The first set of vaccinations for a puppy introduces his immune system to common infectious viruses and bacteria. Additional immunizations stimulate the puppy's immune system to produce protective antibodies. Once a puppy receives his final immunizations, follow-up vaccinations will occur at one- or three-year intervals throughout his adult life to ensure continued protection against disease.
Vaccination Types
Puppy immunizations protect against diseases like canine distemper, parainfluenza, Adenovirus type-2 and canine parvovirus. Typically, at your last puppy immunization appointment, your veterinarian will administer a rabies vaccination. Your veterinarian may also recommend additional immunizations against leptospirosis or kennel cough, depending on the region you live in and your puppy's risk factors.
Immunization Schedule
The UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital does not recommend vaccinating puppies younger than six weeks old. Typically puppies receive three rounds of immunizations starting when they are six to nine weeks old. A veterinarian then spaces the other two puppy vaccination rounds every three to four weeks after the initial immunization. A sample puppy immunization schedule would involve your veterinarian administering vaccinations when your puppy reaches eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age.
Side Effects
A puppy may experience an allergic reaction or adverse side effects after receiving a vaccination. Symptoms of a reaction include lethargy, fever, a disinterest in food, vomiting, loose stools, facial and limb swelling and breathing difficulties, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Alert your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. They can occur almost immediately after administering an injection or could manifest hours after leaving the veterinary clinic. Swelling or sensitivity to touch around the injection site may last for one to two days.
Considerations
If buying your puppy from a breeder or pet store, ask for documentation of any vaccinations that have been given and the dates they were administered so your veterinarian can alter your puppy's immunization schedule, if necessary. It is important that your puppy receive the full series of shots recommended by your veterinarian in order to ensure proper protection against infectious disease.
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