Compassion - Integrity - Commitment
New Pooch Review
We would like to congratulate you on the acquisition on your new puppy. Owning a dog can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it also involves responsibility. We hope this document will give you the information needed to make some good decisions regarding your puppy.
First, let us say that we are grateful that you have chosen us to help you with your puppy's health care. If you have questions concerning any subject related to your puppy's health, please feel free to call our hospital. Our entire professional staff is willing and happy to help you.
We would like to congratulate you on the acquisition on your new puppy. Owning a dog can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it also involves responsibility. We hope this document will give you the information needed to make some good decisions regarding your puppy.
First, let us say that we are grateful that you have chosen us to help you with your puppy's health care. If you have questions concerning any subject related to your puppy's health, please feel free to call our hospital. Our entire professional staff is willing and happy to help you.
Vaccinations
There are many diseases that are fatal to dogs. Fortunately, we have the ability to prevent many of these by the use of very effective vaccines. In order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of injections. Ideally, they are given at about 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks of age, but this schedule may vary somewhat depending on several factors.The routine vaccination schedule will protect your puppy from seven diseases: distemper, hepatitis, para influenza virus, parvo virus, Leptospirosis, Bordatella and rabies. The first four are included in one injection that is given at 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks old. Leptospirosis and Bordatella are given at 12 and 16 weeks. Rabies vaccine is given at 16 weeks of age. Lyme, Giardia and vaccine are given to dogs only on a case by case basis. Ask one of our veterinarians about this vaccination. Please advise us of these needs on your next visit. As of this year the vaccines Leptospirosis, Giardia and Corona are regarded as not to be given.
Why the Series of Vaccinations?
When the puppy nurses its mother, it receives a temporary form of immunity through its mother's milk. This immunity is in the form of proteins called antibodies. For about 24-48 hours after birth, the puppy's intestine allows absorption of these antibodies directly into the blood stream. This immunity is of benefit during the first few weeks of the puppy's life, but, at some point, this immunity fails and the puppy must be able to make its own long-lasting immunity. Vaccinations are used for this purpose. As long as the mother's antibodies are present, vaccinations do not have a chance to stimulate the puppy's immune system. The mother's antibodies interfere by neutralizing the vaccine.Many factors determine when the puppy will be able to respond to the vaccinations. These include the level of immunity in the mother dog, how much antibodies have been absorbed, and the number of vaccines given to the puppy. Since we do not know when an individual puppy will lose the short-term immunity, we give a series of vaccinations. We hope that at least two of these will fall in the window of time when the puppy has lost immunity from its mother but has not yet been exposed to disease. A single vaccination, even if effective, is not likely to stimulate the long-term immunity that is so important. Rabies vaccine is an exception to this, since one injection given at the proper time is enough to produce long-term immunity.
Your new puppy
