In order to be properly protected from viruses and some bacterial diseases, dogs must be vaccinated in specific intervals to keep their immune systems running at optimum levels. Dogs receive a series of vaccinations as puppies, spaced at times designed to correspond with naturally occurring dips in immunities. After dogs receive their final puppy booster, they will continue to receive annual vaccines for the rest of their lives.
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Puppy Shots
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Puppies receive combination shots comprised of distemper, parvo, coronavirus and leptospirosis beginning as early as six weeks and continuing every three to four weeks until the dog is between 16 and 20 weeks of age. They receive boosters at these intervals because the immune system of dogs, as well as most other mammals, will dip at the same timed intervals. The vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system and protect the puppy from these potentially lethal diseases.
Puppies will receive a single rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age. This not only coincides with the dog's maturity level, but with state and federal laws governing the administration of the vaccines. Rabies vaccines are required by law in all fifty states, and in most countries around the world, as rabies is transmissible to humans.
Adult Vaccinations
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Dogs will receive the combination vaccines as well as a rabies booster every year for the rest of their lives, though some vaccines are thought to be effective for much longer than one year. Many vaccines that are currently available in the market today are recognized to be effective for up to three years at a time, however, if the dog comes into contact with virus particles, he or she will be more likely to develop the disease the longer its been since he's been vaccinated.
Other Vaccinations
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Other vaccines are generally considered optional and have their own vaccination schedule. One of the vaccines is the kennel cough vaccine. Many veterinarians include this vaccine in the dog's puppy booster and annual vaccination programs, but others only give the shot to dogs that are likely to be exposed to the virus. The intranasal vaccine is thought to be the most effective (up to six months post vaccination), while the injectable form can last up to one year.
Lyme disease vaccines can also be given to dogs that are in areas with a high prevalence of ticks. Vaccination against Lyme disease occurs with an initial series of two shots given two to four weeks apart and repeated every year with the other annual vaccines.
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