Vaccines for Your Doxie
Vaccines are an essential tool in keeping your Doxie healthy, but a few do carry some risk of allergic reaction. Knowing which are vital and which are optional can help improve your odds of doing good without doing harm.
- Rabies
Rabies vaccine is among the most important for your Dachshund, as it is for any dog.Even though the disease is much less common today, the consequences of getting it are still so drastic – often fatal – that most veterinarians still recommend it.
Rabies vaccinations are normally given every year to puppies and every two to three years subsequently.Most states require the vaccine and determine a specific schedule.That is being revised as research now shows that immunization lasts three years or more.See your veterinarian for specific guidelines, but also seek a second or even third opinion and decide accordingly.
Serious side effects from the shot are rare, but may include swelling, hives, fever, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.
Distemper shots used to be routine. Today they are still common, but schedules have lengthened.Current research shows that puppies given a series of shots will develop antibodies that last several years.First shots should be given at approximately eight weeks.As with any vaccine, the schedule can deviate from one part of the country to another, since prevalence and the associated risks of the disease vary geographically.See your veterinarian.
- Parvo
A vaccine to protect against the parvovirus is often combined with that for distemper, though it can be given separately.Bear in mind that “combo” shots represent a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the foundation of any issue more difficult.
In some dogs, the immune system goes into “hyperdrive” and produces swelling of the face, redness of the gums and other manifestations.If a problem occurs, it ordinarily happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet’s office after any vaccination.Observe your Doxie attentively.Keep Benadryl available and call your vet at the first sign of a reaction.
- Hepatitis
This shot helps protect against infectious canine hepatitis. Here again, the disease is not common and the shot carries a small risk of allergic reaction.Moreover, the disease is serious enough that owners will want to discuss the subject carefully with their veterinarian and seek a second opinion before deciding.Since a modified live virus is used, kidney infections are possible following the vaccination.
- Lepto
Shots to immunized against the leptospira bacteria used to be routine, and in many areas still are.Keep in mind that this is another vaccine that may cause a reaction and offers only short-lived protection against the disease.Considering the disease itself is uncommon, this vaccine is considered “non-core” by many vets today.
- Bordatella
The Bordatella organism causes a fairly common condition popurlarly known as “kennel cough”. The name comes from the fact that the organism can be airborne and can spread when dogs are housed close together.It is not a serious condition, but does call for treatment when it arises.
If your Doxie does not come into contact with strange dogs this vaccine is probably not necessary.Exceptions are in areas where the disease has gone unchecked, or when you intend to go on vacation and kennel your Dachshund.
Summary
Vaccines are a low-risk, outstanding way to protect your Dachshund against a wide array of diseases.But “low-risk” doesn’t mean “no risk” and what was once habitual has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved research.
Paranoia about vaccinations is unsupported.Nonetheless, the risk of disease is not zero, either.However, careful consideration of the benefits and risks will help accentuate your dog’s health.
