Are you adopting a new dog and having trouble figuring out what kind of shots it needs? Fortunately, most adoption centers take care of vaccinations for you, but there are different types of shots your pet will need later in life. Here’s a quick guide on how often your dog will need shots, as well as the different kinds they’ll need.
Core and Non-Core Vaccines
Core vaccinations are types of shots that your vet will highly recommend your dog has as a puppy. These vaccines will help prevent them from suffering viral diseases and benefit their overall health. These shots include rabies, parvovirus, distemper, and adenovirus (canine hepatitis). Non-core shots include bordetella, leptospirosis 4-way, Lyme disease, parainfluenza, canine influenza, and adenovirus Intranasal. A few of the non-core shots your dog should get, such as Lyme and Bordetella are bacterial vaccines. These types of vaccines have low efficacy rates and a higher risk of side effects. This generally means that they shouldn’t be used as often and only as a last resort.
How Often to Vaccinate Your Dog
When and how frequently to vaccinate your dog will depend on the vaccine in question. Typically, you do not need to vaccinate your dog every year and doing so may even be dangerous. Refer to this chart to determine when and how often your pup needs to receive their vaccinations.
Go to the Veterinarian
To get their vaccinations, you must bring your dog to an animal hospital. This is the only safe way to ensure your dog gets the vaccinations they need. Be sure to discuss your pet’s health with your vet before making any decisions. Additionally, choose a vet you can trust when looking for a professional to vaccinate your pup.
Dangers of Over-Vaccinating Your Dog
Though you have the best of intentions when you vaccinate your pup, over-vaccinating can be risky for their health. All vaccines can have potentially risky side effects from mild reactions like fatigue to severe ones like anaphylactic shock and death. When you vaccinate your dog more than recommended, you increase their chance of suffering from these side effects. It does not increase their immunity but rather opens them up to other ailments.
When you adopt a new puppy, you’re going to need to know when they need their shots from a veterinarian. Hopefully, with the help of this guide, you’re able to properly get your new pet vaccinated to prevent them from getting any kind of viral disease or infection.
