Why Should You Vaccinate Your Puppy?

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but it’s also important to remember that puppies are vulnerable to a variety of diseases and the risks if you do not vaccinate your puppy. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect your puppy from getting sick.
Vaccines work by exposing your puppy to a weakened or inactive form of a disease. This helps their body develop immunity to the disease, so they can fight it off if they are ever exposed to it in the future.
There are a number of diseases that puppies can be vaccinated against, including:
- Distemper: Distemper is a highly contagious virus that can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and neurological problems. It is often fatal.
- Parvovirus: Parvovirus is another highly contagious virus that can cause a variety of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. It is often fatal in puppies.
- Canine hepatitis: Canine hepatitis is a virus that can cause inflammation of the liver and other organs. It can be fatal.
- Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and kidney failure. It can be fatal.
- Kennel cough: Kennel cough is a respiratory infection that can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses. It is often characterized by coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. It is usually not fatal, but it can be uncomfortable for your dog.
In addition to these core vaccinations, your puppy may also need other vaccinations, depending on their individual risk factors. For example, dogs that travel frequently may need to be vaccinated against diseases that are more common in other parts of the world such as Rabies. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors may need to be vaccinated against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.
Your veterinarian can help you determine which vaccinations are right for your puppy. They can also answer any questions you have about vaccinations and their risks and benefits.
It is important to keep your puppy’s vaccinations up to date. This will help protect them from getting sick and spreading disease to other animals and people. You should take your puppy to the veterinarian for their annual check-up and vaccinations.
Here are some of the benefits when you vaccinate your puppy:
- Protection from disease: Vaccinations help to protect your puppy from getting sick. This is especially important for puppies, who are more vulnerable to disease than adult dogs.
- Reduced risk of death: Some diseases, such as rabies and parvovirus, can be fatal in puppies. Vaccination can help to reduce the risk of your puppy dying from these diseases.
- Reduced risk of spread of disease: Vaccinating your puppy helps to reduce the risk of them spreading disease to other animals and people. This is important for the health of your puppy and the health of the community.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that your puppy is protected from disease can give you peace of mind. You can relax and enjoy your time with your puppy without worrying about them getting sick.
If you are considering getting a puppy, be sure to ask the breeder about their vaccination protocol. Puppies should start receiving vaccinations at a young age and should continue to receive boosters throughout their lives. If you vaccinate your puppy, it is one of the best ways to keep them healthy and happy.
- Get in touch to book your visit at Acres 4 Dogs