Sos Roofline Systems

Vaccinations for puppies are one of the most important things a dog owner can do to protect the health of the dog. Vaccinations protect the dog from several potentially fatal dog diseases.

When a puppy is born, it already has received some antibodies through the placenta. The puppy will continue to receive antibodies that are contained in the mother’s first milk. Nursing puppies receive the mothers first milk for the first two days of their lives.

Commercial vaccinations are not effective until the maternal antibodies have worn off. Puppies generally begin the vaccination schedule when they are six to nine weeks old.

Vaccinations against parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis, and hepatitis are the primary vaccinations for puppies. The veterinarian may suggest additional vaccinations for kennel cough and rabies.

Parvovirus causes abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, depression, and refusal to eat or drink. Canine distemper causes lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, runny nose, and seizures.

Infectious canine hepatitis is a virus that attacks the liver that can quickly lead to death. Symptoms of canine hepatitis include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, fever, and lack of appetite.

Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, increased thirst, fever, and increased urination are symptoms of a bacterial infection leptospirosis. Dogs can die from leptospirosis within hours.

Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that causes a dry cough, slight fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Many kennels require that dog owners and their dogs vaccinated for kennel cough before they will board the dogs.

Rabies is one of the few diseases that can affect both dogs and humans. At the end stages of rabies, the dog could begin foaming at the mouth, drooling, and show signs of paralysis before slipping into a coma and dying of respiratory failure.

Dogs can also be vaccinated for coronavirus, parainfluenza, Bordetella, and measles. The veterinarian may recommend these vaccinations and others if the dog is to spend a significant amount of time with a large group of dog such as in a kennel.

A puppy that has been vaccinated may not be allowed to be around other dogs for the two weeks after receiving some of their vaccinations. The veterinarian should give the dog owner of the necessary precautions.

Moses Wright has been a lover of dogs for many years. He set up this site to provide information on non allergic dog breeds and dog illness symptoms to help fellow dog owners learn more about their pets.