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Colorado German shepherd breeders, dog breeders, breeder of German shepherd puppies in Colorado, German shepherd breeders CO |
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| What Vaccinations Does a six to eight Week Old Puppy
Need |
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 Vaccinations
help protect your puppy against diseases, many of which can be
life-threatening for non-vaccinated dogs.
At 6 weeks of age, your puppy is old enough to receive his first set of
vaccinations against some of these diseases. According to the American
Animal Hospital Associations Canine Task Force (AAHACTF) there are different
categories of canine vaccines including core vaccines, which are considered
essential and non-core vaccines, which are optional and dependent upon
environmental factors.
Core vaccinesinclude distemper, rabies, hepatitis and parvovirus while
non-core vaccines include parainfluenza, corona virus and bordetella.
Canine Distemper: Distemper is an airborne disease that most commonly
affects young puppies. It is highly contagious with a high fatality rate for
dogs that become infected. The canine distemper vaccination may be included
in a combination vaccine or given separately.
Canine Hepatitis: Canine hepatitis is a potentially fatal viral disease. It
most commonly afflicts young puppies that have not been vaccinated during
their first set of vaccinations at 6 weeks of age. Canine hepatitis vaccines
can be administered separately or given in a combination shot.
Rabies: Rabies is a disease that affects warm blooded animals including dogs
and humans. Rabies vaccinations are important because they prevent the
potential spread of the disease from an infected dog to a human, if bitten.
In most states, a yearly rabies vaccine is required for all pets. This
vaccine is typically administered by itself rather than as part of a
combination vaccine.
Canine Parvovirus: Canine parvovirus is a severe viral disease that is
highly contagious. Parvovirus is highly resistant to many disinfectants
making the virus difficult to kill and can be spread from infected feces
into soil where it can infect unvaccinated dogs. The parvovirus vaccine is
generally given at six weeks as part of a combination vaccine, though it may
be given individually as well.
Canine Parainfluenza: Parainfluenza is a respiratory disease that causes
infectious tracheobronchitis and upper respiratory disease. The canine
parainfluenza vaccine is not considered a core vaccine by the AAHACTF;
however, it is often included in a combination vaccine during the puppies
first shots at 6 weeks of age.
Canine Corona virus: Corona virus is a disease that attacks the intestinal
tract of dogs. Corona virus vaccines are not considered core vaccines and
are often only administered to dogs in regions where the virus is considered
a threat.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica: The Bordetella vaccination helps prevent the
contraction of the bacterial illness Canine Upper Respiratory Disease
Complex, more commonly known as kennel cough. Bordetella vaccinations are
not considered a core vaccine by the AAHACTF so they may not be administered
during the six week vaccinations. If your puppy will frequently be around
multiple dogs, such as at dog kennels for boarding or dog shows, you should
consider the bordetella vaccination to prevent it from contracting this
contagious illness. |
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