When you bring that fluffy little pet to your house, you feel amazingly happy to get a new friend, and ultimately, you become the guardian of your pets. From dog food to sleeping schedule, you are responsible to take care of each and everything of your pets. And amidst your tons of responsibilities towards your pooches, vaccinating them in proper time is also included.
Dogs are also prone to various diseases and infections just as humans do. You have to know every dog vaccination schedule so that your pooches may not be left out to fight against the diseases. In the context of Nepal, generally, three types of vaccinations are to be preferred but as per the professional veterinarians, you have to follow up their prescriptions if your dogs are affected with other infections. Let’s jump into three major vaccinations that must be given to your dogs.
DHPPil (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, Leptospirosis- 5 in 1 Vaccine)
These five diseases are dreadful to the dogs which can cause severe health damage. Distemper is caused by an airborne virus which may also cause brain damage. Canine hepatitis can lead to severe liver damage, and often death that is spread by infected saliva, urine, and feces. Parainfluenza may result in cough fever. Parvovirus is also a contagious disease that can cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Leptospirosis can be caused to the dogs with exposure to rodents and standing water.
In Nepal, 5 in 1 vaccine against these contagious diseases and infections should be given to the puppies from 6 weeks of age. Similarly, the booster vaccination should be given to the puppies following 3-4 weeks later. And please remember to vaccinate your pooches every year after the first booster.
CoronaVirus
Don’t be mistaken for Coronavirus vaccination for your pups as the vaccine for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the article of American Kennel Club, COVID-19 is not believed to be a health threat to dogs but they can contract the canine respiratory coronavirus, which was first discovered in 1971 in Germany after its outbreak among the guard dogs but no need to worry, it’s vaccinations are widely available.
According to American Kennel Club, there are two types of coronavirus, namely:
Canine Enteric Coronavirus (CECoV)– It generally leads to depression, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea. It is a highly contagious intestinal infection and mostly young puppies are affected by this. This virus is spread via oral contact with infected feces.
Canine Respiratory Coronavirus (CRCoV)– This respiratory virus is spread via direct dog-to-dog contact and it can cause acute respiratory symptoms and canine infectious respiratory disease complex also called CIRDC or kennel cough.
So, pet-parents, get ready to vaccinate your pups at the age of 9-10 weeks and booster vaccination should be given at 12-13 weeks. And after that, it should be repeated every year.
Anti-Rabies
Everyone knows how dangerous Rabies is. Rabies often causes fever, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, staggering seizures, paralysis, and many more. You can Google and find out other various physical signs of rabies. With the progress of the virus, your pets may have negative impressions of the lights, movement, and sound.
So, Guardians, fasten your shoelace and get ready to vaccinate your pups at the age of 12 weeks with the Anti-Rabies vaccine and the vaccination should be repeated every year.
Above Mentioned are the three core vaccinations that your pups must get and follow with a booster along with an annual routine of vaccination. Similarly, there are other various canine diseases and infections such as Adenovirus, type 2, Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), Lyme Disease, etc. But take a prescription from your trusted veterinarian to follow the other vaccination protocols.
Based on your pets’ needs and recommendations of the vet, you have to follow other vaccination routines apart from the mentioned three. Your pets’ life is important. Be a responsible pet parent and follow the vaccination schedule timely. Stay safe and make your pets stay safe too!
It hurts, it tickles but Healthy your pets, Happy you so, Happy Vaccinating!