Keep Your Dog Healthy With Proper Vaccinations

Active immunization is the introduction into the body of killed or satisfied microorganisms or their products for the purpose of stimulating the body's defense mechanism. This concept is also applicable to other species like dogs. With the inception of vaccinations, many dogs were saved from probable death brought about by many diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis, upper respiratory infections, and parvovirus. Like humans, dogs need vaccinations too, even at an early age. That is why it is important to immunize puppies so that they will survive until they are fully grown up. Basically, puppies get their immunity from their mother's milk, which is also the same as that of human beings. However, these immunities tend to lose their effects by the time the puppies are already 6 to 20 weeks old. So, it is during this time that they have to be immunized. In order to protect the puppies against infectious diseases, it is best to give them their shots and they should be re-immunized after 3 to 4 weeks. In this way, the puppies will be able to endure any infectious disease that may come their way. Certain precautions should also be made due to the age of the dog. Here are some immunization tips: 1. The age of puppies It is best to consider the puppy's age before subjecting them to their shots. For puppies that are 4 to 20 weeks old, their first shots should be given during their 6th to 8th weeks of age. The last shots shall be given on the 14th to 16th week of age. These dates apply to all primary vaccines. For rabies, puppies should be 16 to 26 weeks old. 2. For dogs that are 20 weeks old up to 2 years old During this age, dogs should have received their booster shots already. This is essential so as to lengthen the immunity of the vaccines in the dog's system. At this stage, additional vaccines are recommended for added protection such as vaccines against bordetella and other newer vaccines. 3. For dogs that are older than 2 years By this time, the dogs should have been through with their booster shots. What comes next is the annual revaccination. These kinds of vaccines are still recommended so as to lengthen their protection against certain diseases. The bottom line is that vaccinations are extremely important to your dog's life. Like the way it functions in human beings, vaccines are needed in order to protect the dogs from imminent risk of acquiring diseases brought about by viruses.