Here at Lessard Callingwood Veterinary we can attest to the benefits of vaccinating puppies and dogs. Over the years we have worked with our clients to develop individualized vaccination programs for pets based on their health and risk factors. Ensuring that your loyal companion is fully vaccinated is the first step to keeping them healthy, it is equally important to maintain those vaccines. This is why our team created different vaccine plans to prolong immunity.

When should vaccinations begin for my pet?

During the early stages of your loyal companion’s life, they are extremely susceptible to different viruses, which is why puppies need to receive their first vaccine between 6-8 weeks-old. Until your pet is fully vaccinated, your veterinarian may recommend eliminating social interactions to reduce their exposure. Your puppy should continue getting core and non-core vaccines every 2 to 3 weeks until they are 16-weeks-old.

A year after your loyal companion has completed the puppy series your veterinarian will recommend booster vaccines. To ward off diseases your adult dog needs a sufficient level of immunity. Failure to readminister vaccines on time may result in your pet having to restart the entire series. To work with a veterinarian to create your pet’s vaccine plan please call us at 780-481-5678.

Which vaccines are essential for my puppy or dog?

Vaccine recommendations will be different for each pet because they have different risks of exposure. With that being said, there are some vaccines that are mandatory for all canine companions, these are referred to as core vaccines. Core vaccines protect from deadly diseases such as Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus and Adenovirus. Additionally, non-core vaccines may be suggested for your loyal companion. Different factors such as where they live, how often they interact with other animals, your pet’s lifestyle (travelling, going on hikes, exposure to wilderness etc) can increase their risk of disease. Non-core vaccines for puppies and dogs may include Bordetella, Lyme, Leptospirosis, and Canine Influenza.

What happens if my puppy/dog is not vaccinated?

Unvaccinated dogs are at risk of catching diseases that can affect their quality of life and shorten their lifespan. Here are some of the symptoms unvaccinated canines experience when they develop diseases:

1. Rabies - this is a neurological disease that is fatal for dogs. Your loyal companion can contract this disease when bitten by an infected animal, they can also transmit the disease to humans.
2. Canine distemper - this is a highly contagious disease among unvaccinated dogs. The symptoms include pneumonia, fever, seizures, lung disease and it is also fatal.
3. Adenovirus 1 - an infectious viral disease also known as canine hepatitis. The disease causes upper respiratory tract infections, fever, liver failure, kidney failure and ocular disease.
4. Parvovirus - puppies are the most vulnerable to this disease. It can cause lethargy, severe vomiting, dehydration and death in severe cases.
5. Bordetella/ Kennel Cough - symptoms of this contagious disease include coughing, difficulty breathing, lung infection, pneumonia and severe respiratory disease.
6. Canine influenza - this disease results in coughing, nasal discharge, low-grade fever, lung infection and difficulty breathing.
7. Lyme disease - a tick-borne disease which can cause decreased appetite, lethargy, fever, joint pain and inflammation, leg lameness and kidney failure in severe cases.