Dog Vaccination - Current Recommendations : Part Two.

Common dog vaccines are: Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza. Bordatella, Coronavirus and Lyme disease are less often given.

Parvovirus can kill puppies but rarely effects adult dogs.

Distemper is rare, but can kill.

The Hepatitis vaccine (Adenovirus) only protects against some causes and hepatitis isn't common.

Leptospirosis is rare and there are hundreds of strains. The vaccine is for only a few strains and lasts only 3-6 months. The Leptospirosis vaccine is also prone to side effects.

The Parainfluenza vaccine doesn't protect against all causes and the flu rarely is serious.

Bordatella vaccine is for kennel cough which is not serious and not likely if your dog isn't in close contact with other dogs such as would be the case in a kennel.

Corona results in mild diarrhea. The vaccine isn't fully protective.

The risk of Lyme disease is location and lifestyle dependent.

Vaccine schedule

Maternal antibodies protect a puppy for 16-22 weeks. So the earliest you want to start vaccinating is 16 weeks.

Dr Pitcairn's recommends a conservative approach:

- First Distemper shot at 16 weeks
- First Parvovirus shot at 20 weeks
- Second Distemper shot at 24 weeks
- Second Parvovirus shot at 28 weeks
- Rabies shot a month later.

If your municipality requires a rabies shot sooner than 8 months, he recommends you start with the rabies shot and then begin the rest of the schedule 4 weeks later.

It's best to get a single vaccination at a time.
You can for rabies; however, most of the other vaccines come as a combination.
For dogs you'll likely get DH - Distemper and Hepatitis. At least limit the vaccine schedule to one shot at a time.

Additional recommendations:

Don't vaccinate if your dog is sick or immune compromised.
Don't vaccinate if your dog is receiving pharmaceuticals, especially steroids.
Don't vaccinate near or at the same time as surgery such as spaying/neutering.
If there's any adverse reaction at all stop or at least slow down the schedule.

Are you concerned about providing the best care for your dog or cat?

Dog and cat nutrition - what you feed your companions - matters to their health.

Learn about pet vaccines, nutrition and safe herbal solutions for pet health and behavioral problems at DogAndCatZone.com. They depend on you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_T_Benson