vaccines

Vaccines are an important tool in keeping your Dachshund 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 commonly given every year to puppies and every two to three years after that.Practically all states require the vaccination and determine a specific schedule.That is being revised as research now reveals 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 vaccination are rare, but may include swelling, hives, fever, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.

- Canine Distemper

Distemper shots used to be routine.Although schedules have lengthened, they are still common today.Modern research shows that puppies given a sequence of shots will develop antibodies that last several years.First vaccines should be given at approximately eight weeks.As with any vaccination, the schedule can vary from one part of the country to another, since prevalence and the associated risks of the disease vary geographically.See your veterinarian.

- Parvo

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

In some dogs, the immune system goes into "hyperdrive" and produces swelling of the face, redness of the gums and other symptoms.If a problem occurs, it normally happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet's office after any vaccination.Watch your Doxie carefully.Keep Benadryl in stock 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 vaccine carries a small chance of allergic reaction.However, the disease is serious enough that owners will want to discuss the subject carefully with their veterinarian and seek a second opinion before deciding.Being as modified live virus is used, kidney infections are possible following the vaccination.

- Lepto

Shots to immunized against the leptospira bacteria used to be routine, and in many areas still are.Keep in mind that 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 confined close together.It is not a serious condition, but does necessitate treatment when it arises.

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

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 routine habit has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved exploration.

Apprehension about vaccines is erroneous.After all, the risk of disease isn't zero, either.However, careful consideration of the benefits and risks will help maximize your dog's health.

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