Immunization awareness month in August is a national campaign created to stress the importance of making sure vaccines are up to date. Vaccinations are not only critical for the people in your life, but for beloved pets too.
Immunization Awareness Month
Ensuring that your dog has a long and healthy life is a priority for responsible pet owners. Vaccinations are a big part of making that a reality. Vaccination is still the most reliable method of disease prevention for people and pets alike. Although it isn’t without risk, the benefits heavily outweigh the limited amount of risk involved. As with everything health related concerning your dog, be sure to consult with your veterinarian to learn which vaccines your dog should have.
Which core vaccines should my dog receive?
According to the AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines, core vaccines for dogs include:
- Canine distemper: Affects the respiratory and nervous systems, and often is fatal
- Infectious hepatitis: Caused by adenovirus type-1, hepatitis can lead to acute or chronic liver inflammation
- Parvovirus: Causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration as well as life-threatening sepsis in unprotected puppies
- Rabies: Causes progressive neurological problems and death, is transmitted when an infected animal bites, and can be transmitted to humans
Low Rider – Immunizes
Low Rider Dachshund Rescue FL makes sure that all the Low Rider dogs receive the life-saving vaccines they need. The dogs rescued by Low Rider of Florida are each fully vetted. Not only are they vaccinated, but they get medications, surgeries, dental care – and a variety of other treatments as needed.
Bambi is a Low Rider dog who is the perfect example. Abandoned at a kill shelter and virtually alone, little Bambi was in terrible condition. Along with needed vaccines, pain meds, and additional testing – Bambi received surgery to give her the use of her back legs. She is now receiving water treadmill therapy twice a week. Bambi is no longer alone, but is loved and cared for. You can learn more about her HERE.
Vaccines Make a Difference
The most recent rabies report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the number of reported rabid dogs climbed nearly 14 percent between 2014 and 2015. Today, about 60 to 70 dogs in the U.S. get rabies each year from wildlife. The vast majority of these dogs have not been vaccinated.
Today, about 60 to 70 dogs in the U.S. get rabies each year from wildlife. ~ Consumer Reports
Many of the illnesses we vaccinate for in the United States are life-threatening and the bugs that cause the illnesses are everywhere. Because we have been vaccinating for these diseases regularly for many years, some get lulled into a false sense of security. They don’t hear too many reports of the issues, and so they forget that the reason is because the vaccines are doing their job.
Prevention is the key. It’s critical to remember that the initial cause of the illnesses are alive and well. The microscopic bacteria and viruses haven’t disappeared, many of our animals are simply protected against them. Be sure your animals are among those who are!
Check with your vet to see what vaccines your beloved dog might need.