This August is National Immunization Awareness Month, where veterinarians, shelters, and dog owners work together to help lower the chances of spreading disease through our beloved four-legged friends. It is an opportunity for pet owners to go out and get vaccines for their dogs, cats, and other animals.

We want to take a moment and look at why vaccines are so crucial to the well-being of dogs everywhere. There is so much varying information in the media lately, and we want to be sure you have the best insight so you can enjoy as many years as possible with your furry family friend.

Which Vaccines Does Your Pet Need?

Unfortunately, anywhere from 40 to 45% of pet owners believe vaccines are unsafe. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Dog vaccines are essential in preventing pet diseases and care that could harm your animal's long-term health.

When you visit your local vet, you’ll hear about a range of vaccines suggested yearly. These typically fall into two categories. The first is core vaccines. These common vaccines are recommended for all pets and cover diseases like rabies and DAPP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza).

The second are non-core vaccines for dogs specifically. They may be adjusted to fit your unique dog breed, size, weight, or DNA. They can also be situational based on exposure to pathogens handed down from things like ticks or extended kennel stays. They include influenza, Bordetella, Lyme, and Leptospira.

Every pet owner should get the core vaccines. Whether or not you also get non-core vaccines for dogs depends on the situation and a conversation with your vet.

How Often Should You Vaccinate Your Pet?

The frequency of pet vaccines varies wildly depending on whether they are core or non-core vaccines for dogs. For example, most core vaccines have a one-year or multi-year option. When you get a rabies vaccine, you’ll be offered either/or for your treasured animal.

Regarding non-core vaccines, you want to get treatment based on the situation. A pet with Lyme disease will have a varying schedule of injections based on their unique needs and disease progression. That is why regularly scheduled vet check-ups are crucial to your pet’s overall health.

What Are the Common Side Effects of Vaccinations?

Vaccinations are a generally safe bet. They have been well-tested and provide ample protection against further medical treatment for your pet. Some side effects are possible because you never know how one dog’s chemical/biological makeup will differ from another.

The normal side effects you may see after getting your puppy vaccinated include:

• Tiredness
• Mild Fever
• Decreased Appetite
• Minor Swelling at the Vaccination Site
• Sluggishness for a Day or Two

Most or all of these potential normal side effects will go away on their own after a day or so. However, if your pet has abnormal side effects, you may want to seek immediate veterinary advice. These could include:

• Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
• Itchy Skin
• Swelling of the Muzzle
• Severe Coughing or Difficulty Breathing

Monitor your pet, and you’ll quickly see if it has any adverse reactions. Most vet clinics will keep your dog in the building for 20-30 minutes after injection, just be on the safe side.

Why Vaccinate Your Pet?

Prevent Serious Illness

Proper vaccinations prevent pet diseases and boost the overall care of your animal. It ensures they can be around other dogs and not contract dangerous illnesses, leading to more expensive medical bills and prolonged recovery times.

Keep Your Pet Legal

Many local municipalities require you to have certain core vaccinations for your pet before they license them. Without those vaccines, you run the risk of receiving fines, especially if your pet gets off-leash and bites another animal.

Protect Other Animals

There is a vaccine concept known as “herd immunity.” This means that the more dogs are vaccinated, the greater the protection for all other animals because the incidence of contracting any disease is significantly reduced. Doing your part to increase herd immunity is a socially conscious example encouraging others to do the same.

Keep Your Family Safe

We’ve all read or seen Old Yeller and do not want to live through that difficulty. Getting your pets up to date with core and non-core vaccines for dogs ensures your family doesn’t have to worry about rabies or other diseases jumping from animal to human infection.

Cost-Effective & Preventative

Finally, enjoying the benefits of National Immunization Awareness Month means you get discounts on pet vaccines. Once your dog is adequately protected, you’ll save even more money from expensive medical bills due to unwanted emergencies from a disease or illness the medication prevents.

Wrapping Up

Proper prevention of pet diseases and care for any illness starts with getting your pup the necessary core and non-core vaccines. You want to have years of beautiful memories with your animal, and good health begins and ends with taking the advice of your experienced vet. Be sure to ask about vaccines the next time you schedule a visit.

In the meantime, don’t forget to reward your dog after a successful visit. We suggest checking out our Rechargeable Moving Ball with LED Flash Light from our team at Petbobi. This will give your healthy dog hours of enjoyment, even when the sun gets low.

Here’s to having a fantastic, healthy, and playful pup in every household!