| You may be surprised to hear that there is no | | | | you can get the vaccinations and what the risks are. |
| universal protocol for dog vaccinations. There are a | | | | For all of the other available vaccines, ask your vet |
| few things that are required by the county, like | | | | about the diseases they protect against. How is it |
| Rabies. There are some vaccines that every dog | | | | transmitted? How common is it, especially in your |
| should get, because there's a good chance of | | | | area? Is the disease treatable, and if so, how many |
| contracting the disease and/or because the disease is | | | | dogs recover? If the disease kills many dogs who |
| deadly or very contagious. Beyond that, it's up to | | | | get it and the disease affects dogs in your area, you |
| you with your veterinarian's recommendations, to | | | | should get the vaccine. If you're on the fence, the |
| decide which vaccinations to get. | | | | age and health of your dog may influence your |
| Many veterinarians recommend the vaccination | | | | decision. |
| schedule that comes with the vaccinations. This | | | | If you don't know which vaccines your dog has had |
| probably makes sense to them because it's the | | | | and whether they're current, your vet can do a test |
| closest thing to a 'standard' that's available. Most of | | | | to find out if your dog is protected. Talk to your vet |
| their clients come in and ask for whatever vaccines | | | | about whether it's better to test or just go ahead |
| their dog needs, trusting that the veterinarian knows | | | | and give a booster shot. |
| what that is or that there is some standard. In this | | | | Many dog owners go to low cost clinics for |
| case, it makes sense to just make sure that the | | | | vaccinations. If you do this, you need to know which |
| vaccines are covered. Better than facing an unhappy | | | | vaccines to get, and you need to keep track and get |
| client when their dog gets sick even though they | | | | booster shots when necessary. If you don't pay for |
| came in for vaccinations. But it is possible to | | | | an office visit, you won't have the opportunity to |
| overvaccinate. For example, you shouldn't give a sick | | | | consult with the doctor. Many veterinarians offer |
| or weak dog any vaccines they don't absolutely | | | | vaccination clinics once a month at their office. |
| need. | | | | Technicians give the shots, and you won't get a |
| Most experts agree that dogs should be protected | | | | consultation, but at least the vet's office will keep |
| against canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), canine | | | | the records and remind you when it's time for |
| distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type 2 | | | | boosters. If you're going to do that, you could |
| (CAV-2), and rabies virus (RV) because they are | | | | discuss the options with your vet the first time you |
| highly contagious and potentially fatal. | | | | bring your dog in for a checkup or for something |
| Have your puppies vaccinated against distemper, | | | | else. If there are no changes in your dog's general |
| parvo, and adenovirus, not before six weeks, and at | | | | health, then go to their vaccination clinics. |
| least once after the age of 12 weeks. They should | | | | Managing your dog's health care is much like managing |
| get a rabies vaccine after 16 weeks. This means that | | | | your own or your children's health care. Don't go in |
| for the first few weeks, you puppy needs to stay | | | | blindly. Ask questions, make decisions with the help of |
| away from any dogs that haven't been vaccinated. If | | | | your vet, and get the best care for your particular |
| that's not possible, talk to your vet about how early | | | | dog. |