Vaccinations for Your Dachshund

Vaccines are an essential tool in keeping your Dachshund healthy, but a few do carry some risk of allergic reaction.Knowing which are optional and which are vital 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 typically given every year to puppies and every two to three years thereafter.Most states require the vaccine and establish a specific schedule.That is being re-evaluated as research now reveals that immunization lasts three years or more.See your veterinarian 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, fever, swelling, or lethargy, along with decreased appetite.

- Canine Distemper

Distemper shots used to be routine.  Today they are still common, but schedules have lengthened.Current research shows that puppies give a sequence of shots will develop antibodies that last several years.First vaccines should be administered at roughly eight weeks.As with any vaccination, the schedule can vary from one part of the country to another, since prevalence and the associated risks of the disease vary geographically.  See your vet.

- Parvo

A vaccine to protect against the parvovirus is often combined with that for distemper, though it can be given separately.Bear in mind that “combo” shots represent a slightly greater risk of allergic reaction.Combinations also make determining the root of any issue more difficult.

In some dogs, the immune system goes into “hyperdrive” and produces swelling of the face, redness of the gums and other manifestations.If a problem occurs, it commonly happens within an hour or less, so stay near your vet’s facility after any vaccination.Watch your Doxie carefully.  Have Benadryl on hand 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.Moreover, the disease is serious enough that owners will want to review the subject carefully with their veterinarian and seek a second opinion before deciding.Since a modified live virus is used, kidney infections are possible following the vaccination.

- 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.Because the disease itself is rare, this vaccination is condsidered “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 has the ability to be airborne and can spread when dogs are house close together.It is not a serious disease, but does call for treatment when it arises.

If your Dachshund does not come into contact with strange dogs this vaccine is probably unnecessary.Exceptions are when you plan on going on vacation and board your Doxie, or in areas where the disease has gone unchecked.

Summary

Vaccines are a low-risk, outstanding way to protect your Dachshund against a wide array of diseases.But “low-risk” doesn’t mean “no risk” and what was once a customary habit has become a more thoughtful exercise, thanks to improved research.

Paranoia about vaccines is unsupported.Nonetheless, the risk of disease isn’t zero, either.But careful comtemplation of the benefits and risks will help maximize your dog’s health.

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