The Importance of Canine Vaccinations

Canine vaccinations are a necessary part of creating a healthy immune system for the family pet.  Vaccines help prevent highly contagious diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies.

The injection administered by the veterinarian is a weakened or killed version of the bacteria or virus.  The vaccine helps the dog's immune system stimulate the creation of antibodies that block the disease.  Puppies are born with a natural immunity passed through their mother's milk.  As a puppy grows, the immunity wears off.  Puppies need a series of vaccines to help prevent disease or illness which can lead to death.

Modified live virus vaccines are made up of a weakened strain of the disease.  When they are injected into a dog's immune system, they stimulate an immune response.  These vaccines are stronger then the killed version of the vaccine and offer a stronger longer-lasting immunity, although in rare cases, they can cause the disease.

Distemper is another can highly contagious disease that can also lead to death.  Distemper most commonly affects puppies, attacking their respiratory and central nervous systems.

Parvovirus vaccine is given to protect against a very common, although deadly virus.  The highest death rate from parvovirus is seen in puppies.  Parvovirus has symptoms of severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can soon lead to dehydration and death.

Vaccinating against rabies is required in most areas.  Rabies is an incurable, fatal disease that affects animals and humans alike.  Rabies is highly contagious.  The rabies virus attacks the nervous system of an animal that is bitten by an infected animal.