Vaccines for Your Dachshund
Vaccines are an essential tool in keeping your Doxie healthy, but a few do carry some risk of allergic reaction. Knowing which are vital and which are optional can help improve your odds of doing good without doing harm.
- Rabies
Rabies vaccine is among the most important for your Dachshund, as it is for any dog.Even though the disease is much less common today, the consequences of getting it are still so drastic – often fatal – that most vets still recommend it.
Rabies vaccinations are normally given every year to puppies and every two to three years after that.Practically all states require the vaccination and determine a specific schedule. That is being re-evaluated as research now shows that immunization lasts three years or more. See your vet for specific guidelines, but also seek a second or even third opinion and decide accordingly.
Serious side effects from the shot are rare, but may include hives, swelling, fever, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.
Distemper shots used to be routine. Today they are still common, but schedules have lengthened.Present-day research shows that puppies given a sequence of shots will develop antibodies that last several years.First vaccines should be given at approximately eight weeks.As with any vaccine, the program can vary from one part of the country to another, since prevalence and the associated risks of the disease vary geographically.See your veterinarian.
- Parvo
A vaccine to protect against the parvovirus is often combined with that for distemper, though it can be given separately.Remember that “combo” shots represent a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the basis of any issue more difficult.
In some dogs, the immune system goes into “hyperdrive” and produces facial swelling, redness of the gums and other symptoms.If a problem occurs, it commonly happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet’s facility after any vaccination. Observe your dog carefully.Have Benadryl available and call your vet at the first sign of a reaction.
- Hepatitis
This shot helps protect against infectious canine hepatitis.Here again, the disease is not common and the vaccination carries a small chance of allergic reaction.However, the disease is serious enough that owners will want to review the subject carefully with their veterinarian and seek a second opinion before deciding.Kidney infections are possible following the vaccination because modified live virus is used.
- Lepto
Shots to immunized against the leptospira bacteria used to be routine, and in many areas still are. But this is another vaccine that may cause a reaction and offers only short-lived protection against the disease. Since the disease itself is rare, this vaccine is considered “non-core” by many vets today.
- Bordatella
The Bordatella organism causes a fairly common condition popurlarly known as “kennel cough”.The name originates from the fact that the organism can be airborne and can spread when dogs reside close together.It is not a serious condition, but does warrant treatment when it arises.
This vaccine is probably not needed if your Doxie does not come into contact with strange dogs.Exceptions are in areas where the disease has gone unchecked, or when you intend to go on vacation and board your Doxie.
Summary
Vaccines are a low-risk, outstanding way to protect your Dachshund against a wide array of diseases. But “low-risk” does not mean “no risk” and what was once a routine habit has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved research.
Paranoia about vaccines is erroneous.Nonetheless, the chance of disease is not zero, either.Nevertheless, careful consideration of the benefits and risks will help maximize your dog’s health.
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