Vaccinations are crucial to your pet’s health and wellness, as these vaccines will stimulate an immune response without getting your pet sick. This means that when your pet becomes exposed to a naturally occurring virus or bacteria, their immune system will be ready and will be able to fight it off. Vaccinations are what helps keep pets safe, as it can keep them from getting both common and severe diseases and illnesses. For these reasons, you must get your new pet on a proper vaccine schedule because preventive care is extremely important.

Most vaccines will begin at eight weeks of age, as this is what most veterinarians recommend, although some vaccines can start as early as six weeks. This time frame is when your pet will start to lose maternal antibodies that the mom gives to the puppy, so they will have to start building their own antibodies. Your veterinarian will help you plan a schedule, which will begin with vaccines at eight weeks, followed by more vaccines once your pet is twelve weeks and then again at the fourteen and sixteen-week marks. Rabies will be done the following year, and certain vaccines will be done every three years, while others will have to be administered annually. This schedule will ensure your dog is vaccinated against viruses and bacteria and will allow them to interact with other dogs.

It is important that you wait to socialize your puppy until they are fully vaccinated because doing this too early would be considered a risk. It’s natural to want to show off your new puppy, but if you take your pet to a dog park, for example, where there will inevitably be traces of urine and feces, your puppy can become very sick from the bacteria and viruses they carry. No matter how hard it may be, don’t socialize until your pet is fully vaccinated so that you can have peace of mind.

It’s also important that you do not skip any vaccines because this will cause them to be ineffective, and your dog will no longer be protected. Getting vaccines at the right times will allow your pet’s immune cells to fight against bacteria and viruses successfully, and if you miss a vaccination, this will no longer be the case, and you may have to start the process all over again.

Dog vaccinations will help prevent a number of diseases, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease, just to name a few examples.

This information can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to have a number of questions, and Animal Clinic of East Durham will address every one of your concerns. We understand that pets are members of your family and will always prioritize their health. Our veterinarians genuinely care about your pets, so contact us today if you are looking for a vet near me in Courtice!