Vaccinations play an important role in the health of dogs. The controversy on canine vaccination schedules continues but most experts agree that vaccines prevent the spread of serious diseases like rabies, distemper, hepatitis, and parvo.
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines are made from weakened or killed versions of bacteria or virus that, when administered to the dog, stimulate its immune system to produce antibodies that fight disease.
Killed vaccines, made with inactivated bacteria or virus, are given in a series and carry minimal risk of side effects.
MLV vaccines (modified live virus) made with live, weakened bacteria or virus, provide a strong, longer lasting immunity but carry a slightly higher risk of side effects or disease.
Are Dog Vaccinations Safe?
Vaccination stresses the immune system and it is recommended to vaccinate only healthy dogs. Occasionally a dog will experience side effects including, but not limited to fever, soreness, swelling at the site, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and miscarriage in pregnant dogs. The vaccine can actually cause a mild case of the illness it was meant to prevent but this is rare and usually not serious. Giving the vaccines separately may lower the risk even more, although the vast majority of vaccines are given all in one with no adverse effects.
A dog can experience an allergic reaction to a vaccination such as life threatening anaphylactic shock which comes on quickly and may be characterized by breathing problems, vomiting, and a rapid, weak pulse, but these cases are quite rare.
Veterinarians, like Dr. Daniel Beatty, state that overvaccination has been linked to cancer, allergies, and other auto-immune diseases such as Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and that research by reputable immunologists indicates that after the first puppy shots and a one year booster many dogs are protected for most of their life.
Pet owners must discuss vaccinations with their veterinarian and weigh the benefits of preventing deadly diseases like rabies or parvo against the possibility of side effects.
Do Vaccines Always Work?
Puppies, through their mother’s milk, get antibodies that protect against disease in the early weeks. Occasionally a young puppy will have a window of susceptibility when there are still enough antibodies to block the effectiveness of a vaccine and yet not enough to prevent disease.
Vaccines may fail to stimulate immunities in dogs with a weakened immune system that may be due to stress, poor health, fever, or some medical treatments. Improper scheduling, improper storage, and improper administering can also cause vaccines to be less effective.
Which Vaccinations Does My Dog Need?
Rabies vaccination is required by law for all dogs in the United States. Other core vaccines considered important to all dogs are for common and serious diseases such as parvovirus, canine distemper, and infectious hepatitis.
Other vaccinations such as for Lyme disease or kennel cough, as well as frequency of vaccinations should be discussed with the veterinarian considering the dog’s age, health condition, lifestyle, and risk associated with geographical location.
Rabies vaccinations must, by law, be administered by a veterinarian. Vaccinations given at the veterinary clinic are generally safer and more effective but some pet owners choose to give their own shots against other diseases.
The debate continues among experts as to scheduling and frequency of vaccinations but it is generally agreed that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Related Reading:
Dog Vaccinations: Side Effects and Reactions
Is It Safe to Give Dog Vaccinations at Home?
Snake Bite Vaccination for Dogs
Sources:
Vetinfo.com
Is Your Vet Still Overvaccinating Your Dog? by Daniel Beatty, DVM, Healthyasadog.com
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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