Dogs are truly members of our families and, as such, we care every day about loving and caring for them in the best way possible. We choose the best food (prioritizing their favorites 😜), take them for walks, and play with them. We also try to protect them by taking them to the vet and making sure they always wear a flea and tick collar.
But all of this would be pointless if, from the first weeks of life, we didn't provide our dogs with the necessary vaccination coverage to ensure maximum protection against the most contagious and risky diseases to their health.
So here are some useful tips to learn about and evaluate with your veterinarian the necessary vaccines for your puppies!
What Are the Recommended Vaccines?
Currently in Italy, there are no legally mandatory vaccinations. However, according to international guidelines, we can distinguish between core vaccines, considered essential to protect animals from the most common and dangerous infectious diseases, and non-core vaccines, which are optional.
Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are usually administered at 6-8 weeks, with boosters every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age, for the following diseases:
- DISTEMPER: can present with various symptoms, which often makes it difficult to recognize. The most common symptoms are respiratory problems, fever, and other issues that may affect the digestive system, nervous system, eyes, or skin.
- PARVOVIRUS: a highly contagious disease that affects the gastrointestinal system and causes fever and vomiting, leading to severe hemorrhagic diarrhea.
- CANINE ADENOVIRUS: can manifest in two serotypes, as infectious hepatitis or as infectious laryngotracheitis.
Non-Core Vaccines
These vaccines are usually evaluated and recommended by the veterinarian based on the location, environment, and lifestyle of each individual dog. Here are some of the most common diseases for which vaccination coverage may be necessary:
- RABIES: lethal for both dogs and humans, there is still no cure today. Dogs that contract it exhibit unusual and staggering gait, excessive salivation and facial muscle convulsions, as well as often aggressive behavior. The vaccine can be administered from 12 weeks of age and may become legally mandatory in case of severe disease outbreak.
- LEPTOSPIROSIS: results from contact with bacteria present in rodent urine and is transmissible to humans. Symptoms include fever, gastrointestinal problems, weakness, and kidney failure. The vaccine is possible from 8 weeks of age, with a booster after 2-4 weeks.
- CANINE HERPESVIRUS: while not causing particularly identifiable symptoms in adult specimens, it can cause infertility, abortions in pregnant females, and death of newborn puppies within a few weeks. The vaccine should be administered at 6-8 weeks, with boosters every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
- LEISHMANIASIS: a disease transmitted through sandfly bites, it can be fatal and is transmissible to humans. The main symptoms manifest at the skin level, accompanied by weight loss, alopecia, nosebleeds, and kidney damage. Vaccination is possible from 6 months of age.
The Health Record, Your Dog's First Ally
The health record is effectively your puppy's identity card! In addition to personal data, it provides a complete overview of their health status. This is where the veterinarian lists the complete record of vaccines administered with their dates and notes necessary boosters. If you travel, don't forget to always bring it with you!
Vaccination is an important step in caring for our dog's health. By following the veterinarian's recommendations, we can ensure a long and happy life and protect not only them, but also all other animals they come into contact with and even ourselves from a wide range of diseases.
