Vaccines are a miraculous tool for keeping ourselves and our pets healthy. But there has been increasing information available in recent years that shows they might be being overused. This means that it is up to pet owners to keep their pets healthy by choosing the right vaccination San Jose schedule for them.
It is important, without a doubt, to get your dog vaccinated. Many of the diseases that vaccines protect against are fatal and highly contagious. Rabies vaccines are required by law, because the disease can spread to humans. But vaccines are one of the many things in life where balance is important-- more is not better.
Older vaccines were licensed for only a year, but newer ones should be licensed for three years. A few non-core vaccines (those not given to every dog, but only used in specific circumstances) have shorter periods, but the major illnesses should be protected against with a 3-year version. Be aware that a first booster might be needed sooner than 3 years, but subsequent ones should last the entire period.
Puppies get their mother's antibodies to help protect them in their first weeks of life. These antibodies wear off somewhere between 8 and 16 weeks. Usually, pups are vaccinated at regular intervals (every three or four weeks or so) from 6-8 weeks until 16 weeks. Starting this series before 8 weeks is probably unnecessary, and might even be harmful.
Combination vaccines make it easier to administer protection against a core of serious illnesses. But some dog react poorly to certain vaccines, so the fewer they need, the fewer they should get. Ask your vet if any of the diseases in a combination are not a problem in your area, and if not, whether your dog should really be vaccinated against them.
Use titers for assessing whether your dog needs new vaccines. Titers are blood tests showing whether your dog is still protected from his or her previous vaccines. They cost a little bit more than a booster shot does, but some dogs maintain lifelong immunity and do not need boosters at all. All vaccines are up to you with the exception of the rabies vaccine, and should not be given to dogs with titers showing they are immune.
Make sure you get expert advice from a good vet when choosing a vaccination San Jose schedule. If you don't like what your vet says, you can always go to a different one, but a vet's experience and knowledge is essential to choosing the right path. As with many things, vaccines are a balancing act-- too few or too many can have devastating consequences.
It is important, without a doubt, to get your dog vaccinated. Many of the diseases that vaccines protect against are fatal and highly contagious. Rabies vaccines are required by law, because the disease can spread to humans. But vaccines are one of the many things in life where balance is important-- more is not better.
Older vaccines were licensed for only a year, but newer ones should be licensed for three years. A few non-core vaccines (those not given to every dog, but only used in specific circumstances) have shorter periods, but the major illnesses should be protected against with a 3-year version. Be aware that a first booster might be needed sooner than 3 years, but subsequent ones should last the entire period.
Puppies get their mother's antibodies to help protect them in their first weeks of life. These antibodies wear off somewhere between 8 and 16 weeks. Usually, pups are vaccinated at regular intervals (every three or four weeks or so) from 6-8 weeks until 16 weeks. Starting this series before 8 weeks is probably unnecessary, and might even be harmful.
Combination vaccines make it easier to administer protection against a core of serious illnesses. But some dog react poorly to certain vaccines, so the fewer they need, the fewer they should get. Ask your vet if any of the diseases in a combination are not a problem in your area, and if not, whether your dog should really be vaccinated against them.
Use titers for assessing whether your dog needs new vaccines. Titers are blood tests showing whether your dog is still protected from his or her previous vaccines. They cost a little bit more than a booster shot does, but some dogs maintain lifelong immunity and do not need boosters at all. All vaccines are up to you with the exception of the rabies vaccine, and should not be given to dogs with titers showing they are immune.
Make sure you get expert advice from a good vet when choosing a vaccination San Jose schedule. If you don't like what your vet says, you can always go to a different one, but a vet's experience and knowledge is essential to choosing the right path. As with many things, vaccines are a balancing act-- too few or too many can have devastating consequences.
