Should You Be Afraid of the Side Effects of the Rabies and DHPP Vaccinations for Dogs

If your dog is not vaccinated on a regular basis as set forth by your veterinarian, that pet can be at risk for many infectious diseases. Vaccinating your dog is a way that you can protect them and keep them healthy. Doing so is much cheaper than putting your dog at risk and then having to pay for treatment for a disease or illness that could have been prevented. Of course, as with anything else, there are side effects that your dog could experience from the shots but these will pass in time. The benefits of vaccinations for rabies and DHPP far outweigh any temporary side effects.

Core Vaccines

Required vaccines, known as core vaccines, are usually given on a yearly basis. The laws regarding these vaccines vary from state to state. Most areas require that DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus) vaccinations be administered yearly starting as early as six weeks of age. As puppies age, they build up immunity to disease and illness through their mother’s milk. Once they are weaned, it is important to begin the vaccination regimen set forth by your doctor. Dogs should get the rabies shot as early as six months old. Rabies is offered once a year thereafter although you can opt for a 3-year vaccine for your dog. However, the booster or core vaccines are administered yearly. Many dogs have died in the past before vaccinations were available.

Symptoms of Side Effects

It is not uncommon to see swelling, redness and lameness or limping in the affected leg where your dog was vaccinated. Whatever the area is that your vet chooses to vaccinate your dog, it may be sensitive and seem warm to the touch. Most often these symptoms will disappear within five days.

Further Tips

If a lump appears around the injection site after five days and your dog is still limping or shows signs of swelling and redness, it is advisable to contact your veterinarian. Sometimes reactions to these shots do not show up immediately or the injection site can be infected and need further veterinary attention.

In any event, the pros of putting your dog on a vaccination regimen per the advice of your veterinarian far outweighs the cons. Side effects are only temporary but the illnesses and diseases they work to prevent can be life threatening. Your dog is worth all the time and effort of preventative measures in order to give him/her a long, happy and healthy life.

http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/vaccine-side-effects.html


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