Vaccination in pet animals
What is vaccination?
Vaccination is a simple, safe, and efficient method of protecting an individual against potentially
fatal diseases before coming into touch with them. It strengthens your immune system by utilizing
your body’s inherent defences to create resistance to particular pathogens.
Vaccines instruct your immune system to produce antibodies in the same way as it does when
exposed to a disease. Vaccines, on the other hand, do not cause the disease or put you at danger of
problems since they include only dead or weakened versions of germs such as viruses or bacteria.
Types of dog vaccines
Vaccines are classified into two categories.
1- Core vaccines which should be given to all dogs, Core vaccines include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and more
2- Non-core vaccines are given where indicated by your dog’s lifestyle or the geographic area in which you live. Non-core vaccines include shots such as Bordetella, Lyme, and Giardia. The American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Task Force considers the following dog vaccinations to be core: Rabies-Rabies is a lethal viral illness that affects the nervous system and is transmitted to humans.
Distemper-Distemper is a deadly viral disease that affects the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, as well as the neurological system. Hepatitis/Adenovirus: A vaccination against adenovirus type 2 protects against both adenovirus types 1 and 2. Adenovirus type 1 causes infectious canine hepatitis, a viral disease that affects the liver and other organ systems, causing serious illness which is sometimes fatal. Adenovirus type 2 causes respiratory illness and may be involved in the development of kennel cough. Parvovirus: Canine parvovirus is a viral disease that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and can be fatal.
Parainfluenza- Parainfluenza is a viral illness that affects the respiratory system and may play a role in the development of kennel cough. Non core – vaccines include Bordetella: Bordetella is a bacterial infection that can cause or contribute to kennel cough.
Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects several systems including the kidneys and liver Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is a bacterial disease spread by ticks that can cause arthritis and other problems such as kidney disease. Coronavirus: Coronavirus is a viral disease that primarily causes diarrhea Giardia: The AAHA also advises against immunization against giardia because the vaccine only prevents cyst shedding but not infection.
Canine Influenza H3N8: The Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), often known as the Canine H3N8 virus, is a relatively novel influenza virus in dogs. It produces flu-like symptoms in dogs and is highly infectious when dogs come into touch with one another (i.e. kennel). Because of the virus’s contagiousness, several kennels, grooming salons, and other similar establishments are now demanding this immunization to prevent an epidemic.
When To Start Puppy Vaccinations
In general, a puppy should begin receiving immunizations as soon as it is bought to you (typically
between 6 and 8 weeks) and then every three weeks until it is four months old, when it will receive
the final dose. In general, if the puppy’s mother has a robust immune system, it will most likely
absorb antibodies in the mother’s milk during nursing. Vaccinations should begin once a puppy has
been weaned from its mother’s milk.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Typically recommend the following vaccination schedule for puppies:
• 6-7 weeks: DHPP*, Bordetella
• 9-10 weeks: DHPP, Bordetella, Leptospirosis
• 12-13 weeks: DHPP, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza**, Lyme Disease
• 15-17 weeks: DHPP, Rabies, Canine Influenza, Lyme Disease
**Canine influenza and Lyme vaccinations are given depending on the lifestyle of the dog
*DHPP – distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza.
Organic method of deworming(A holistic approach)
Pet owner’s don’t want their dog to have worms, but they also don’t want to give their pet the toxic chemicals used to deworm a dog at a conventional vet. so there are some natural dewormers which may be dogs are effective. Pumpkin seed- One of the best and safest all-natural dewormers for dogs is pumpkin seeds. According to a 2012 tapeworm research, when human subjects with tapeworms were fed pumpkin seeds, 75% of the patients expelled complete tapeworms. Cucurbitacin, an amino acid found in pumpkin seeds, paralyzes the worms, which then lose their hold on the intestinal wall and are expelled from the body.
Garlic- Dogs may use garlic as a natural dewormer with great success. The right dosage must be given since giving your dog too much might be hazardous. Allicin, an amino acid found in garlic, is mostly to blame for its deworming effects. When garlic is minced or crushed, allicin is released. Garlic’s volatile oils and sulfur-containing chemicals aid in your dog’s body getting rid of worms as well.
Coconut oil: As a natural dog dewormer, coconut oil is also effective. The body of your dog will transform the lauric acid in coconut oil into monolaurin, which has been shown to be efficient against tapeworm, giardia, and other parasites. Carrots: Dogs are unable to digest carrots, even when they are crushed up. This implies that they pass through the dog’s intestines as a wonderful clump of coarse fiber. They convey the worms out of the body by gently rubbing against the intestinal lining as they pass through the intestines. It’s a terrific idea to use natural solutions to treat dog worms instead of hazardous medications. Complete deworming is very important, You may ask your veterinarian whether your dog has worms by providing a sample of its feces.If you treat your dog for worms, don’t forget to take a second stool sample to the doctor 2–3 weeks later to check the worms are gone.
Vaccination Schedule for Dogs: Core and Non-core Vaccines
Side Effects And Risks Associated With Dog Vaccinations
Adverse responses to dog immunizations are quite uncommon. Puppy vaccines and dog vaccinations, like any drug or immunization procedure, might have certain negative effects. We recommend that you get your puppy or dog vaccinated at a period when you can observe them
thereafter.
If your dog does experience a reaction to vaccinations, symptoms may include:
• Fever
• Sluggishness
• Loss of appetite
• Pain or swelling around the injection site
Serious reactions to vaccines include
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Facial or paw swelling and/or hives
• Collapse, difficulty breathing, and seizures (anaphylactic shock) If these symptoms occur, you should contact our office immediately or take your pet to the nearest emergency hospital.
Nutrition and Vaccination
Before and after the vaccination always follow our advice for the correct nutritional requirement for the pet’s. We always provide correct advice regarding your pet nutrition and it’s need.
An appropriate supply of nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate, as well as omega3 polyunsaturated acids (PUFA), zinc, selenium, copper, and iron, supports the immune response By boosting immune cells that eliminate harmful pathogens and manufacture antibodies—the same
cells that aid to build an efficient immunological response to vaccination—sufficient nutritional status has been demonstrated to enhance immunity and lower the risk and impact of infections. Vitamins and minerals have been found to help a variety of immune cells perform their specific jobs, including macrophages, which destroy infections, T cells, which kill virus-infected cells, and B cells, which create protective antibodies. These same cells also play a role in generating the body’s
response to vaccinations
Decision for vaccination… to refuse or to accept?
It is a core decision of the pet’s owner whether they want to vaccinate their pet or not. Though there are some mandatory vaccines for pet which are mandatory by law if you have pet’s like rabies. But to have all the recommended vaccines is the choice of pet parent, there are few side effects observed due to over dose of vaccines termed as vaccinosis. There are some long-term effect of vaccines which include itching, allergies, anxiety, fears, obsessive
behaviour, aggression, seizures and sometimes death. Even though unfortunately vaccines aren’t always effective, there are vaccine failures sometimes.
There are few reasons for vaccination failure/interfere
• Is sick
• Is too old
• Is too young
• Is weak or malnourished (think of a rescue dog)
• Has a chronic disease
• Is about to have (or just had) surgery
To vaccinate a pet is completely owner’s decision because everything comes with a risk, it’s about how wisely pet parent and think and how your veterinarian understand the condition. Always consider your pet’s risk.
There is always a choice, let better food and nutrition be the medicine to combat the disease and live a healthy life, don’t let anyone to force their choices on you, Be wise!!!
Frequently ask questions
1. When does my puppy or dog need to be vaccinated?
Ans. Start vaccination as soon as you get the puppy or dog
2. Is vaccination is required by law?
Ans. Only rabies vaccination
3. What if my puppy misses a vaccination in series?
Ans. According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, it should be administered within a particular time frame. So, if it’s been a while, your veterinarian will calculate the age and week when your dog had each vaccination, and they will then determine the new series for your dog.
4. Can I introduce my puppy to other pets before he is fully vaccinated?
Ans. Up to the end of the series plus a week or two, doing that carries a certain level of danger. Because we provide the injection, which prompts the immune system to signal that it should erect defenses. In most situations, it takes the second dose to fully convince the body, and even then, it takes some time for the body to develop immunity. It’s not like we administer the injection and instantly become immune. Therefore, it is safer to provide it a week or two after they have finished their full round of vaccinations against a specific disease.
5. DO I NEED TO IMMUNOLOGIZE MY PET?
Ans. One of the most economical methods to ensure your pet’s health, longevity, and quality of life is through vaccination. Vaccinations are a crucial component of preventative healthcare. By creating a barrier against a number of illnesses that may be transferred from animals to people, vaccination also plays a critical role in promoting public health. Yes, most definitely is the quick response. The fundamental vaccines—those required by law for all animals—should be given to pets, while
additional shots may be required based on their way of life. The advantages of immunizing dogs exceed the dangers, while no treatment is completely risk-free. Animals who have received vaccinations are protected from fatal and catastrophic illnesses like rabies and distemper. Not only can vaccinations protect humans, but they also do so for dogs.