Dog Vaccination Schedule

Vaccination is possibly one of the main responsibilities that an owner acquires when adopting or purchasing an animal. However, on some occasions, difficulties arise from not being very clear about the schedule or vaccination schedule for dogs.

We will tell you a little about this important aspect of dog health care.

Why Vaccinate Dog Vaccination?

Vaccination is important because it corresponds to the pet’s immunization process. In this way, the contagion of a large number of diseases caused by viruses that put the health and quality of life of the animal at risk is avoided.

Also, something to keep in mind is that the vaccination schedules and schedule must be prescribed by the veterinarian, as they vary according to aspects such as the size and breed of the dog, the age at which the process starts or the place where the dog lives, among others.

What do I need to know before vaccinating my dog?

• Before starting vaccination on a dog, it must be dewormed. This is done in order to ensure that there are no factors that will weaken the dog’s body, so that it can better assimilate the vaccine.
• Vaccination should be started as indicated by the veterinarian, usually starting between a month and a half and two months of the dog’s life.
• In case you have adopted an adult dog and do not know its origin, or a stray dog, you should seek advice from the veterinarian to know what process to follow and not to put your new pet together with other animals, until the veterinarian authorize.
• Puppies that have not yet been vaccinated should not be taken for walks or socialized with other animals. Even though the mother immunizes them through breast milk, they are still vulnerable to acquiring diseases that, in many cases, can be fatal.

Remember, you should not socialize your puppy before he has completed his vaccination schedule.

• To develop an appropriate vaccination schedule, the mother’s veterinarian history is usually considered.

• The presence of viruses in certain locations affects decision-making about the dog’s vaccination schedule.

Due to the factors presented above,  dog vaccination schedules change according to each case, although there are some general recommendations with few variations. Below we will present an overview:

• At six weeks of life, it usually starts with the Triple canine (3 doses in total, 2 are boosters), which protects them against infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis and others .
• At eight weeks, the vaccine against  parvovirus is applied (there are also 3 doses, two of which are boosters), which is one of the main causes of death in unvaccinated puppies.
• At 10 weeks of life, the first dose of the triple canine booster should be applied .
• At 12 weeks of age, the first booster dose of the parvovirus vaccine should be given  .
• To complete the initial vaccination schedule, the rabies vaccine is applied when the puppy is 16 weeks old.

• Likewise, keep in mind that you should continue to take your dog to the veterinarian so that he can apply the boosters on an annual basis, in addition to having check-ups, at least once every six months.

Vaccination for dogs has some recommendations

Dog vaccination does not 100% exempt your pet from suffering from the disease, so it’s best that you protect it from things like letting it sniff or interact with feces or blood from dogs you don’t know about.

Also, do not expose it to contact with animals that you know are contaminated by any of these diseases.

While it is neither good nor advisable to isolate your four-legged friend, it is always prudent that you talk to the owners of other dogs your pet has contact with, to find out if they are vaccinated and what kind of illnesses they may have had. , but of course, all within the parameters of cordiality, kindness and respect.

Remember that  vaccination for dogs is the best medicine because your pet must always be prepared.