Like human beings, vaccinations are equally important for pets. If you have a pet dog, you must follow the dog vaccination schedule for prevention of diseases. The rising cost of these vaccines should not deter pet owners from vaccinating their pets.
Vaccination is the best method to prevent contraction of diseases. Vaccines for many dog health problems are available, namely, rabies, parvovirus shots, dog distemper shots, Bordetella etc.
Vaccinations kill the harmful micro-organisms in the body and thus, prevent the animal from getting infected from the disease. Just like human beings, there is a specific schedule of vaccination for pets. Microchipping is also observed to be excessively undertaken in case of dogs. Vaccination is an important part of dog care and should not be neglected.
Dog Vaccines
Vaccinations for dogs comprise two types, core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines, viz. rabies and distemper, should be given to all dogs. Non-core vaccines include Bordetella, lepto virus vaccine, and other vaccines, and are given only to certain dogs who are found to have a higher risk of contracting the related infection.
Nearly all the required dog vaccinations are given annually as the immunity lasts for a year. The exception is the booster vaccination that is given every three years.
Dog vaccines depend prominently on the age and breed of the dog. Puppies need to be vaccinated frequently, i.e., in a specific interval of weeks. Dogs who are constantly in company of other dogs also need to be vaccinated frequently as they have higher chances of contracting infection.
Low Cost Dog Vaccines
The cost of complete dog vaccinations can reach up to nearly $100. If there is a requirement of special dog vaccines, the cost may even be higher. But, on the brighter side, there are many health care clinics that provide low-cost dog vaccines. You just have to keep a check on the clinics in your area that provide inexpensive vaccination.
Rabies is an incurable disease and hence, dogs must be specifically vaccinated against it. Some dog vaccination services also offer all-in-one vaccine packs ranging from $35-$40. Microchipping requires registration and can be done in between the above price range.
There are even helping organizations where vaccination at the primary stage is given free of cost. At a private clinic, these vaccines may cost more.
Side Effects
There may be some minor and harmless side effects like lethargy, excessive sleep, loss of appetite or dog allergy observed immediately after a dose of vaccination. Dog vaccines also cause health problems like diarrhea, vomiting, allergy or fever, but, there is no cause of worry as these side effects last only for some time.
It is also always advised to have a medical checkup of the dog before going for vaccination. Seizures after vaccine administration is also a known symptom and is caused due to an allergic reaction.
Although there are evidences of dog vaccines causing side effects, these problems can be easily treated. Also note that the benefits of vaccinations are greater than the potential side effects.
There are even facilities where one can order vaccines from the Internet and administer it to the dog themselves. However, this can be risky, and is not an encouraged practice. It is preferable to take your dog to a special clinic for pets.
Low cost dog vaccinations has made vaccinating easier and more comfortable. Vaccinations for your dog are a must if you wish to prevent the risk of infections and help your dog to have a healthy life.
