#FortheLoveofPets – Vaccination in dogs – Barbados Today

Home / Features / For the love of pets / #FortheLoveofPets – Vaccination in dogs
Dogs can suffer from various diseases, some of which cause discomfort and others that can kill. Thankfully, we can protect our dogs from some of these using vaccination. Vaccination is a great way to give your dog immunity from some of the worst infectious diseases and ensure they are safe.
Vaccination is given as an annual injection, which keeps immunity topped up and your dog protected. The only immunisation not given by injection is kennel cough. This is given via an annual intra-nasal vaccine. This gets the vaccine right where it is needed to provide local immunity. 
Although it is important that your dog has a vaccination appointment every year, not all the vaccines will be given at every appointment. This is because different vaccines last for different amounts of time – your vet will be able to tell you about the schedule for your dog. Your dog will need at least one vaccine every year.  However, your pet should have a thorough health check at least once a year as part of their general healthcare. This helps your vet check that no developing health problems can be detected.
Once your puppy is 6 – 8 weeks old, they can have their first vaccinations – usually called the primary course. This consists of two or three injections, given 2 – 4 weeks apart. Some puppies will have their first of these vaccinations while they are still with their breeder. xq
Regularly vaccinating your dog keeps their immunity topped up and protected against several dog diseases. If your dog’s vaccines lapse and go overdue, they may need to have a restart course, which your vet will discuss with you. They will make that decision with you based on local disease risk and your own dog’s medical history.
Under normal circumstances, adult dogs have a vaccination every year. Chat with your vet to discuss the most appropriate options for your dog.
Once any dog has had their initial course of injections, they will only need one injection per year afterwards to keep that immunity topped up.  
A vaccination appointment is much more than a quick injection for your dog – it is you and your vet’s chance to see how your dog has been doing. Your dog will be weighed and have a thorough medical exam. Your vet will probably ask you many questions about how your pet has been behaving, about any changes, and specific topics such as their eating and drinking habits.  Your vet is trained to spot subtle changes, helping any developing issues be managed as soon as possible. Your vet will also listen to any concerns you may have and help you manage these.
As well as a thorough exam, your vet will administer the vaccinations. The exact vaccine will differ depending on the vaccine schedule, but all dogs require vaccination against at least one disease annually. Injectable vaccines are combined into a single injection, so your dog only has to have one needle. This is given under the skin at the back of the neck and is well tolerated by most dogs. The infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) vaccine is the only vaccine which is not injectable. This liquid is given as a squirt up the nose – no needles involved!
What can I vaccinate my dog against? 
Infectious Canine Hepatitis 
Leptospirosis 
Distemper 
Canine Parvovirus 
Read our ePaper. Fast. Factual. Free.
Sign up and stay up to date with Barbados’ FREE latest news.
Barbados Today firmly discourages any commentary or statements that are libelous, disruptive in nature or incites others to violate our Terms of Use. Any submissions made on our comment section, are solely the views of the individual and not Barbados Today.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *

Δdocument.getElementById( “ak_js_1” ).setAttribute( “value”, ( new Date() ).getTime() );
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By…
Accessibility Tools

source