Vaccines 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 vets still recommend it.
Rabies vaccinations are typically given every year to puppies and every two to three years thereafter.Most states require the vaccine and determine a specific schedule.That is being re-evaluated 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 shot are rare, but may include swelling, hives, fever, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.
Distemper shots used to be routine.Today they are still common, although schedules have lengthened.Modern research shows that puppies given a sequence of shots will develop antibodies that last several years.First vaccinations should be given at approximately eight weeks.As with any vaccination, the program 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.Keep in mind that “combo” vaccinations represent a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the foundation of any problem 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 commonly happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet’s office after any vaccination.Observe your Doxie carefully.Have Benadryl available 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 risk of allergic reaction.But 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, since modified live virus is used.
- Lepto
Shots to immunized against the leptospira bacteria used to be routine, and in many areas still are. But this is another vaccine that may cause a reaction and offers only short-lived protection against the disease.Since 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 originates from the fact that the organism can be airborne and can spread when dogs are housed close together.It is not a serious condition, but does necessitate treatment when it arises.
This vaccine is probably not needed if your Dachshund does not come into contact with strange dogs.Exceptions are when you plan on going on vacation and kennel your Dachshund, 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 habitual has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved research.
Paranoia about vaccinations is unsupported.Nonetheless, the risk of disease isn’t zero, either.However, careful contemplation of the benefits and risks will help maximize your dog’s health.
