4 Common Myths Regarding Your Dog's Vaccines
Ensuring your dog is healthy and happy can be overwhelming at times. Not only do you need to feed and train them, but your dog will also require ongoing exercise, medical care, and a great deal of love. Unfortunately, you may not understand the importance of dog vaccinations recommended by your veterinarian. Considering many pet owners believe these vaccines are not truly necessary, understanding they benefit your dog is essential. For help understanding, here are the truths behind a few common myths associated with vaccines for your dog.
Vaccines Make Your Pet Sick
One of the most common myths regarding vaccines is that they actually make your doc sick, increasing the risk of them developing whatever illness the vaccine is designed for. Fortunately, this myth is not true.
Vaccines contain a dose of a killed virus, which will actually decrease the chances of your dog getting the illness.
It is important to note that vaccinations do not guarantee your dog will not become ill. In some instances, your dog may have a slight reaction to the vaccine. Redness and swelling are common side effects that you may notice on the skin around the injection site. Do not stress over this irritation, but consult your veterinarian if it becomes worse.
Dogs Do Not Need Vaccines Unless They Go to Kennels
Another common misconception people have is that their dog does not need to be vaccinated because they are never boarded in a kennel. Again, this is a myth that should be addressed.
Certain vaccines are necessary for reducing the risk of your dog developing a contagious disease. If your dog is not around other dogs, you may think they do not need it, but contagious diseases, such as kennel cough, can be transmitted quickly and easily.
If your dog goes to a dog groomer, day care, dog park, or boarding kennel, they should be vaccinated with Bordetella, which will protect your dog from kennel cough. While surprising to learn, your dog may also come in contact with sick dogs while visiting the veterinarian. Due to these risks, ensuring your dog is protected against kennel cough is imperative no matter if they boarded in a kennel or not.
Vaccines Are Too Expensive
Bringing a dog into your home and family's lives is a wonderful thing, but it comes with a great deal of responsibility. Of course, your finances may change due to the continuous purchasing of food, toys, grooming, and medical care. Because of this, you may think vaccinating is too expensive.
Each veterinarian is different, so determining the cost of your dog's vaccines can be difficult. While contacting your dog's vet is best for calculating costs, the cost of vaccines will be a great deal lower than the cost of medical care if your dog becomes ill.
Diagnosing with various tests, spending time in the hospital, food and fluids, and even prescription medications can all become expensive over time no matter what type of illness your dog develops.
To conserve costs, invest a small amount up front on vaccinations. This will ensure your dog is healthy and comfortable while reducing the risk of costly treatments in the future.
Breeder Provides All Vaccines
If you have adopted your dog from a breeder, you may think they have provided all your dog's vaccinations. Distemper, measles, and influenza vaccinations are recommended between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks, so ask your breeder if these vaccines were administered before bringing your puppy home.
It is also helpful to ask the breeder for a vaccination record. Give this record to your veterinarian to ensure your puppy remains on schedule.
Never assume your puppy has been vaccinated, no matter how old your puppy is.
Your dog will need vaccines to reduce their risk of illness, so full understanding is important. To learn more about vaccines, schedule a consultation with your dog's veterinarian today.