Vaccinations Required By All Dogs (UK Schedule)

What is Dog Vaccination?

Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from disease.  Vaccination of dogs in the UK follows a schedule.

Furthermore, it is used to protecting dogs from major canine infectious diseases especially viral and bacterial infections.

Alongside this, continuous research and development have caused evolving of vaccines to better standards that are beneficial to your dog.

Additionally, the Independent veterinarian regulator allows the vaccines that have met the quality, standard and safety requirements as required in the UK.

They are various vaccination centers you can take your pet for initial and booster vaccination shots. All you need is to apply online or call for an appointment.

Why You Need To Vaccinate Your Dog

Dogs are very susceptible to diseases hence health welfare is very important. In spite of this, the lifespan of your dog can be shortened by diseases.

Undoubtedly, vaccination can prevent this and give your dog many years to live.  Start with the initial vaccine then follow up with booster vaccines after 12months.

Without a doubt, it is important to vaccinate your dog very early, from nine-week from birth onwards, don’t wait until they are old.

Dog Vaccines includes:

Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

Not only is, Canine Parvovirus a contagious viral disease but it also can cause severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Indeed, if not taken care of can lead to the destruction of intestinal villi and affects bone marrow cells alongside the heart.

It is transmitted through; vomit, feaces, contaminated surfaces, and contaminated saliva.

Additionally, to protect your dog start the vaccination as early as when she is a puppy from 6 weeks of age.

Follow up with booster vaccines after 9, 12, and 16 to 20 weeks.

Alongside this, keep your environment clean especially if there is a dog infected with this disease.

Apart from this, all dogs can be affected but the most prone breeds are Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher, pit bulls, Labrador retrievers and German shepherds.

Symptoms

• Loss of appetite.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Damage to the intestinal tract.
• If severe can cause death.

Canine Leptospira

Canine Leptospira is a bacterial infection that can be spread through the bloodstream. Also, a serious infection that can affect humans and other animals and can lead to death.

Nonetheless, the bacterial Spirochetes are spiral-shaped which infiltrate the system by burrowing into the skin and can spread throughout the body.

The serovars that cause this disease in dogs are likely to vary with geographic region and the presence of reservoir hosts.

Unquestionably, symptoms like; muscle pain, stiffness, weakness, trembling, or reluctance to move can be seen in dogs with leptospirosis.

Even so, for a diagnosis of canine leptospirosis, your vet can do a combination of serology and organism detection. Not only is, serology the most frequently used diagnostic test for dogs but it also can be used alongside your dog vaccination history.

Moreover, this disease can be transmitted through contact with contaminated soil, urine, water, and fluids of an infected host, for instance, (dog).

Consult with a veterinarian so that the vaccine can be tailored to meet your dog individual needs. Vets can advise you accordingly if the dog is pregnant, sick or react to a medicine.

For a puppy, start the vaccine when 12 week old and booster vaccines every 2-4 weeks later.

In addition, young dogs who are 4 months can be given the vaccine after 2-4 weeks in 2 doses.

Keep your dog environment clean and kennel/crate too. Give plenty of water to avoid dehydration and give antibiotics as advised by your vet.

Symptoms

• Stiffness in muscles, legs.
• Dehydration.
• Joint pain.
• Shivering and fever.
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea – with or without blood in the stool
• Bloody vaginal discharge
• Difficulty breathing.
• Death.
• Kidney failure.

Canine Parainfluenza Virus (CPi)

Canine Parainfluenza Virus is associated with a highly communicable respiratory disease in the dog.  Besides, can cause a mild cough and runny nose.

Moreover, it can be administered to puppies as young as 4 weeks of age and 2 weeks later until 20 weeks of age.

This is mostly transmitted due to the closeness of kennels in shelters or show and can be transmitted to other pets around the sick dog.

Particularly, the annual vaccination of pet dogs will protect the family against the newer and older serotypes regardless.

Following, ensure the environment has adequate hygiene and ventilation. Nevertheless, prevent contact between animals, isolation of affected dogs and other pets around.

Additionally, vaccination is obviously the best and easiest way to protect dogs against canine cough, especially for dogs kept together in close proximity who are especially at risk.

Subsequently, administer the intranasal vaccine available that mirrors the natural route of infection and protects for a full 12 months. Even so, can be given to a dog of any size from 3 weeks.

Symptoms

• Harsh dry cough.
• Tiredness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mildly raised temperature.
• Pneumonia.

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a Morbillivirus that affects dogs of all ages. It should be noted, it is highly contagious causes multisystemic disease in dogs. Additionally, can affect puppies between 3 to 6 months.

The severity of the disease in domestic dogs depends on the animal age, immune status and virulence of the infecting strain of the virus.

If not prevented can cause a high mortality rate.

Despite, extensive vaccination in many regions, it remains a major disease of dogs.  Obviously, was the leading cause of infectious disease death in dogs, prior to a vaccine becoming available.

Symptoms

• Fever.
• Running nose.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Excess saliva.
• Vomiting.
• Dehydration.

Canine Rabies

This is a viral infection that affects a dog’s spinal cord and brain. Furthermore, it can be transmitted by bites or scratch as the dogs’ saliva is infected.

This can be a serious disease but with vaccination, it is easy to prevent it. Definitely, other animals can also transmit it and it is advisable you vaccinate any cats at home when your dog is infected.

Dogs’ vaccination for rabies is between 12 weeks old to 6 months of age and a booster shot after one year.

In case, you need to travel with your dog the blood sample should ensure the dog’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date. As most countries may need documentation.

Symptoms

• Restlessness.
• Aggressive.
• Irritable.
• Fever.
• Paralysis of throat and jaw, hind legs.
• Appetite loss.
• Weakness.
• Death.

Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Not usually a serious condition, although it can be dangerous in young puppies. It is usually seen after activities like boarding or showing due to closeness in kennels.

Vaccination can protect your dog from illness associated with Bordetella. Clearly, Bordetella is a bacterium that is commonly associated with respiratory disease in dogs.

Importantly, 2 doses are usually needed for protection. Follow up with annual or 6-month boosters especially for dogs in high-risk environments.

Symptoms

• Gauging cough.
• Vomiting.
• Fever.
• Tiredness.
• White or green nasal discharge.

Final Thought

There have been major changes in how vaccination is being performed over the past 20 years in the veterinary field. Now we can take our pets for their annual vaccine booster or after several months as recommended by your vet. Many changes have been made in the vaccine field to suit individual pet needs. New approaches have been adapted in veterinary practices in the UK to be in line with the changes.

A happy dog is a treasure to the owner, hence keep your dog vaccinated and healthy.