We all want the health of our dog to always be good, and for this, in addition to making sure that its diet is appropriate for its age, it is essential to take the veterinarian to examine it and give the puppy the first vaccinations; at least the mandatory ones. In this way, the animal will be able to grow without having to worry about viruses, fungi and / or bacteria that can affect itEspecially while you are young which is when your immune system is still in the strengthening phase.
But what are the first vaccinations a dog needs? Do they have side effects? We are going to talk about all this and much more in this special.
Before giving the first vaccine to a puppy
When we bring a puppy home, it must be taken to the veterinary clinic for examination. Just in case you are in good health, give you an antiparasitic pill, which will be the one that prevents the dreaded internal parasites from proliferating and seriously affecting your health. Later, he will send him home and tell you to come back for the first vaccination between a week and 14 days later, depending on the pill he has given.
What are vaccines?
It is likely that some of you have wondered what vaccines are, or what they are made of. Well, it's just the virus itself weakened. Yes, yes, it may seem strange that viruses are administered to animals (also to people), but it is the only way to get the immune system to create antibodies that will be useful in the event that it comes in contact with them later. an external virus.
But, do not worry, that those who are in the vaccines, they cannot attack or cause any harm to your dog.
Dog vaccination schedule
Once the dog is fully dewormed, the first vaccine can be given between six and eight weeks of life. At this age they are given a first dose of the parvo virus, and another from distemper, a very serious respiratory disease that puppies often suffer from. If you are also going to be in contact with more dogs, it is recommended to give the bordertella and parainfluenza vaccines.
At nine weeks of age, you will be given the second vaccine, which will protect you from adenovirus type 2, infectious hepatitis C, lethospirosis y parvo virus. When he is twelve weeks old, a dose of this vaccine will be repeated, and that is when we can walk with him with complete peace of mind.
Four weeks later, the vaccine against rage. And then once a year, the five-fold vaccine (parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, leptosipirosis) and rabies is given.
Optionally, you can now also request that they provide you with the leishmaniasis vaccine from six months of age, for which they will do a test to confirm that the dog is healthy, and then they will inject 3 doses separated by 21 days. On an annual basis, you will need a new dose to reinforce it.
El microchip It is very important that it be implanted (in fact, it is mandatory in many countries such as Spain), since in the event that it is lost, it could be located at any veterinary clinic. Anyway, it doesn't hurt to put an identification plate on your necklace, with your phone number.
Do vaccines have side effects?
Not always, but yes, there may be. Especially young dogs, they can feel pain o itching, and even hair loss in the area where the vaccine has been injected. But it usually happens in a short time.
In very serious cases, they may suffer anaphylaxis, which is a reaction of the body which originates when it tries to defend itself, thus destroying its own red blood cells. However, it is very rare.
Prices of the first puppy vaccinations
Prices vary in each state, and even in each community, but more or less, prices in Spain are around the 20-30 euros each. The first three for leishmaniasis, together with the test, cost 150 euros, and revaccination 60 euros. So, yes, the first year of the dog's life will always be the most expensive, so we will have to make a piggy bank so that it can receive all of them, or at least the mandatory ones.
What happens if I do not vaccinate my dog?
Well, you should know that there are some that are mandatory, so if a vet found out, you could still have problems, to the point that they could take it away. Beyond that, a dog that is not vaccinated is at enormous risk for life-threatening diseases, like distemper. In addition, you could also put the dogs in your neighborhood at risk, since your dog could be a carrier of some disease.
A dog must be a member of the family, one more. Among the care that we must provide is veterinary care.
So, it is highly recommended to vaccinate your dog so that health is not compromised.
When can a puppy go outside?
There are many doubts on this subject. Until not long ago, veterinarians said that the puppy could not leave until it was fully vaccinated, but the reality was that if it did so, we would have an animal that would pass its most sensitive period, that of socialization, within four walls. This period begins at two months and ends at three months, that is, it lasts no more than eight weeks.
At that time, the can has to have contact with other furry animals (dogs, cats, ... and with all those that tomorrow will have to interact) and with peopleOtherwise, when he grows up, it will be much more difficult for him to learn to behave and be with them. For this reason, and even at the risk that some professionals may contradict me, I am going to recommend you to take your puppy for a walk at an early age: at two months.
But yes, you can't take him anywhere. The immune system is not yet developed, which, added to the fact that he has not received all the vaccines, could put his health and even his life at risk if a series of measures are not taken to avoid it. Therefore, you never have to take it through areas where many dogs go or that are very dirty, but it will be very good to do it through clean and quiet streets so that your friend gradually gets used to the noise of the nuclei urban (cars, trucks, etc.).
How long does the ride have to be? It will depend on the animal itself, but generally it does not have to last more than twenty minutes, since when he is so young he tires very quickly. That is why it is always going to be better to do 4-5 short walks than 1-2 long ones.