Vaccinations for Your Dachshund
Vaccines are an essential 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.While 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 usually given every year to puppies and every two to three years thereafter.Nearly all states require the vaccine and determine a specific schedule.That is being re-examined as research now shows that immunization lasts three years or more.See your veterinarian 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 hives, fever, swelling, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.
Distemper shots used to be routine. Today they are still common, but schedules have lengthened.Contemporary research shows that puppies given a sequence of shots will develop antibodies that last several years.First vaccinations 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” vaccinations present a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the basis of any issue more difficult.
In some dogs, the immune system becomes hyperactive and produces facial swelling, 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 facility after any vaccination.Watch your Doxie attentively.Have Benadryl nearby and call your vet at the first sign of a reaction.
- Hepatitis
This shot helps protect against infectious canine hepatitis.Once 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.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.Considering the disease itself is uncommon, this vaccine is considered “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 can be airborne and can spread when dogs are confined close together.It is not a serious condition, but does necessitate treatment when it arises.
This vaccine is probably not necessary if your Dachshund does not come into contact with strange dogs. Exceptions are when you intend to go on vacation and kennel 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” doesn’t mean “no risk” and what was once a routine methodical has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved research.
Apprehension about vaccines is unfounded.Nonetheless, the risk of disease isn’t zero, either.Nevertheless, careful consideration of the benefits and risks will help maximize your dog’s health.
