The Importance of Dog Vaccines

Vaccination is an important part of proper pet wellness care and responsible pet ownership. When Blue Valley Animal Hospital recommends a vaccination for your pet, we do so for a variety of reasons. Keep reading to find out why dog vaccines can be so important. 

DOG VACCINES PREVENT SICK PUPS

Most recommended dog vaccines are in place to help protect your pet. Having a sick dog is no fun, and beyond that, it can be costly and inconvenient. 

Some pet vaccinations provide protection against diseases that are most often fairly mild, but many dog vaccines are used to protect against severe and potentially fatal diseases, like:

• Rabies: Contracted through a bite from an infected animal, this neurological condition is almost always deadly. 

• Canine distemper vaccine: This is a combination vaccine and may be referred to as DHPP or DAPP. It provides protection against four serious and highly contagious dog diseases. These include canine distemper, canine hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.

• Leptospirosis:  Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through the urine. Often carried by wild animals, infection with this disease can lead to kidney and liver failure.

  Diseases like kennel cough (Bordetella) and canine influenza result in an ill pet who may require extra care, increased veterinary costs, and potential long-term health issues for your pet. They also can spread rapidly, and have a big impact on social environments like dog parks, boarding facilities, daycares, and grooming salons. 

  Zoonosis is a Thing

  There are many diseases that are zoonotic, meaning that they can be transmitted between humans and animals. Veterinarians are stewards of public health, and there is a responsibility that falls on us to keep humans safe as well as animals. 

  One of these zoonotic diseases is leptospirosis, Vaccinating your dog against leptospirosis can help to lessen the risk of transmission. 

  Perhaps the most infamous zoonotic disease in animals is rabies. This nearly always fatal disease can be passed between people and animals. With rabies being present in the environment in wildlife such as skunks, vaccination of our domestic species helps to keep people safe.  

  Appropriately vaccinating at-risk pets ultimately keeps animals healthier and saves their people money. Our veterinary team will assess your pet and their lifestyle to make personalized recommendations about what dog vaccines are recommended and appropriate for your pet. 

  Keeping your pet and family safe is our priority. If you have questions about how to best protect your pet, please don’t hesitate to contact us.