The good health of your dog is very important and every owner has the duty to care for their animal to the best of their ability at all times.
It is thus important to understand the characteristics of a dog's immune system so we can get to grips with what help an owner should provide to protect against the many infections out there that threaten your animal.
Passive Immunity Looking first at puppies, they are born with their own immune system, inherited from their mother, but this does not come into action fully until they are some weeks old.
They are, however, somewhat protected by these maternally inherited "passive" antibodies, passed on while they are in the womb or from ingesting their first drink of mother's milk.
So that first drink is vital to a puppy's health and they should be encouraged to suck their mother's teat vigorously.
These passive antibodies will protect the puppy from all diseases to which the mother has been exposed or been vaccinated against, comprising over two thirds of of the antibodies which exist in the mother's blood.
However, passive antibodies wane quickly, the level in the puppy's blood halving every week, and in addition they can prevent an effective response to early vaccination.
So it is important to time any vaccination regime in such a way as to reduce this "immunity gap," leaving your puppy exposed to infection for the shortest possible time.
The quality of modern vaccines generally means that the puppy can be vaccinated with confidence at about six weeks of age.
Active Immunity Having given the first injection at 6 weeks, the timing of the vaccination "active" phase should result in a second dose of vaccine at about 12 weeks of age, If in doubt, consult your vet about the timing and scope of this second dose and any subsequent booster shots.
The vet will have an understanding of the prevailing disease conditions pertaining in your district, and also the relevance of the range of vaccines to your particular breed of animal.
The most commonly used "combined" vaccines usually gives protection against Dog Influenza, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Distemper and are usually repeated annually with a booster shot.
Some vets recommend a second early booster against Dog Flu and Leptosporosis, about 4 weeks after the primary dose at about 10 weeks of age.
Diseases Prevented by Vaccination So the 5 most serious diseases that can threaten your dog are: 1.
Distemper - A Viral infection that can be fatal if left untreated.
2.
Hepatitis - A highly contagious Viral disease that can kill within 24 hours.
3.
Parvovirus - A very serious disease that can cause pneumonia and heart problems.
4.
Leptospirosis - A highly infectious disease, which can cause jaundice, liver or kidney damage and death.
This can be passed on to humans.
5.
Kennel Cough - A complex disease which, while not fatal, can be costly to treat.
Fortunately, modern vaccines are extremely effective in guarding against all of these infectious diseases, and their proper use can bring peace of mind and a sense of security, knowing that your animal is protected.
Remember that if you are in any doubt about vaccinations for dogs then seek veterinary advice for the most cost effective vaccination program for your specific breed of dog.