Vaccines for Your Puppy

The puppy vaccination series is one of the most important aspects of your puppy's early life. It's right up there with housebreaking and obedience training. Vaccinating pets has been a controversial subject for years. Many people worry that we are over-vaccinating out pets, possibly putting them at risk for auto-immune issues and vaccine reactions. That's part of the reason many vets are moving towards a three-year protocol (rather than annual) for adult dogs. However, when it comes to puppies it's a different story. Just like human babies, puppies (and kittens) need basic immunizations at the very least.

If you are worried about the potential risks to your puppy, communicate with your vet about it. Don't skip vaccines entirely - you may be putting your puppy, other dogs and even your family and yourself at risk. Not only are some diseases transmissible to humans, but there may also be legal implications. Most areas require at least a Rabies vaccine. Without it, your dog could be quarantined if she is accused of biting someone (even if she's really innocent) - plus, you may face a hefty fine. Besides all that, each visit to the vet allows your puppy to be examined, potentially leading to early detection of health problems. Things can change in a matter of weeks with a quickly growing young puppy. If you have concerns about the risks associated with puppy vaccines, you should ask your vet to split up the injections rather than giving multiple vaccinations at once. This may mean more trips to the vet, but it's worth it for your peace of mind.

Tell us about your experiences with puppy vaccines. Were they good or bad? Is there something you would do differently next time?

More Vaccine Information

From Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM - About.com Guide to Veterinary Medicine
Is it OK to vaccinate my pet if she is pregnant or nursing?
What is a recombinant vaccine, and how does it work?

From Franny Syufy, About.com Guide to Cats
Vaccine Protocols for Cats
How do you handle the cat vaccine question?

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