vaccines

Vaccines are an important tool in keeping your Doxie healthy, but a few do carry some risk of allergic reaction.  Knowing which are vital and which are optional can help improve your odds of doing good without doing harm.

- Rabies

Rabies vaccine is among the most important for your Dachshund, as it is for any dog.Even though the disease is much less common today, the consequences of getting it are still so drastic – often fatal – that most veterinarians still recommend it.

Rabies vaccinations are normally given every year to puppies and every two to three years subsequently.Practically all states require the vaccination and determine a specific schedule.That is being revised as research now shows that immunization lasts three years or more.  See your vet for specific guidelines, but also seek a second or even third opinion and decide accordingly.

Serious side effects from the shot are rare, but may include hives, fever, swelling, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.

- Canine Distemper

Distemper shots used to be routine.Although schedules have lengthened, they are still common today.Current research shows that puppies given a series of vaccinations will develop antibodies that last several years.First shots should be administered at roughly eight weeks.As with any vaccine, the agenda can deviate from one part of the country to another, since prevalence and the associated risks of the disease vary geographically.  See your vet.

- Parvo

A vaccine to protect against the parvovirus is often combined with that for distemper, though it can be given separately.Bear in mind that “combo” shots represent a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the basis of any issue more difficult.

In some dogs, the immune systems goes into “hyperdrive” and produces redness of the gums, facial swelling and other manifestations.If a problem occurs, it ordinarily happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet’s office after any vaccination.Observe your dog attentively.  Have Benadryl on hand and call your vet at the first sign of a reaction.

- Hepatitis

This shot helps protect against infectious canine hepatitis.  Here again, the disease is not common and the shot carries a small risk of allergic reaction.Nevertheless, the disease is serious enough that owners will want to discuss the subject carefully with their veterinarian and seek a second opinion prior to deciding.Kidney infections are possible following the vaccination because modified live virus is used.

- Lepto

Shots to immunized against the leptospira bacteria used to be routine, and in many areas still are.This is another vaccine that may cause a reaction and offers only short-lived protection against the disease.Because the disease itself is rare, this vaccination is condsidered “non-core” by many vets today.

- Bordatella

The Bordatella organism causes a fairly common condition popurlarly known as “kennel cough”.The name comes from the fact that the organism has the ability to be airborne and can spread when dogs are housed close together.  It is not a serious disease, but does require treatment when it arises.

If your Dachshund does not come into contact with strange dogs this vaccine is probably unnecessary.Exceptions are in areas where the disease has gone unchecked, or when you intend to go on vacation and board your Doxie.

Summary

Vaccines are a low-risk, outstanding way to protect your Dachshund against a wide array of diseases.But “low-risk” does not mean “no risk” and what was once a methodical habit has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved research.

Apprehension about vaccinations is unsupported.Nonetheless, the risk of disease is not zero, either.But careful consideration of the benefits and risks will help accentuate your dog’s health.

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