The Importance of Dog Vaccinations

Pet vaccinations prevent or reduce the risks associated with infectious diseases and enhance your dog's health and likelihood of a long life. Vaccines also help build a healthier community for pets and humans by limiting the spread of infectious diseases. Arrow Animal Hospital in Los Lunas, NM, is here to explain why dog vaccinations are integral to preventative pet care and when to schedule them.

How Vaccines Benefit Dogs and Humans

Pet vaccines are disabled diseases we inject into your dog, causing its immune system to recognize and fight the disease. Vaccines teach the immune system to fight the disease quickly and effectively if encountered in the future. The quick and effective response leads to your dog having no or milder symptoms when encountering the disease.

Pet vaccinations also protect the broader pet and human community from dangerous illnesses. A pet infected with rabies or leptospirosis can spread the disease to other animals or humans. Vaccinating your pet can help protect other people and animals from potentially life-threatening diseases.

Distinguishing Core and Non-Core Vaccines

All dogs must receive core vaccines such as rabies and distemper. The need for non-core vaccines depends on each dog's circumstances, such as where the dog lives throughout the year, the amount of time spent outdoors, and the time it spends with dogs outside its household. Your veterinarian will ask about these issues or request you complete a dog lifestyle questionnaire. The lifestyle information helps your veterinarian recommend the appropriate non-core vaccines for your dog.

Vaccination Schedules

Puppies receive some immunity to disease through their mother's milk. However, your puppy’s immunity fades quickly. Your dog can start receiving vaccines at six to eight weeks old. New Mexico law requires dogs to be vaccinated for rabies when they are three months and older. Many pet service providers, such as kennels, also require up-to-date vaccinations.

Generally, we administer your dog’s initial vaccines before it reaches six months old. Other vaccines and boosters become part of your dog's preventative pet care process during the next several years. If your dog has adverse reactions to a vaccine, we can do the following:

•           Modify the number of vaccines administered per visit

•           Avoid using live vaccines

•           Provide pre- or post-treatments

When adjusting the schedule, we also try to limit the number of injections your dog experiences. Doing this helps keep it safe and protected while reducing the risk of side effects.

Contact Your Veterinarian at Arrow Animal Hospital to Vaccinate Your Dog Today

Pet vaccinations are a crucial part of preventative pet care that can ensure your pet remains protected from significant diseases in the future, so contact Arrow Animal Hospital in Los Lunas, NM, to get your dog vaccinated today. Call us and schedule an appointment at (505) 865-1826 to ensure your dog lives a long, healthy life.