What Vaccines Does My Puppy Need in Columbus, OH?

You’ve got a new puppy! A cute little fur-baby who is ready to become part of your family. He/she’s going to need proper nutrition, lots of attention, training and socialization. It’s important to schedule a puppy exam with your local veterinarian in Columbus to ensure that your cuddly pup is healthy and happy.

It’s also important to follow a complete dog vaccination schedule to ensure that your puppy gets the vaccines he/she needs, and is not in danger of contracting viruses that may be harmful or even deadly.

What are Puppy Vaccines?

The function of a puppy vaccine is to trigger an immune response to a certain virus, which can help protect your pet from that particular virus. A vaccine triggers the body’s immune response to produce antibodies that can battle viruses.

Keeping your puppy up-to-date on vaccines will ensure that your pet will enjoy a healthier and happier life.

Diseases Puppies Need Vaccines for in Columbus, OH

For the first year, it’s very important to make sure that your puppy is safe from viruses and diseases.

Here are some of the diseases your puppy will need to be vaccinated for:

Canine Distemper

The distemper virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system of dogs, and this virus is spread through airborne droplets via sneezing or coughing. Distemper can also be transmitted by sharing water bowls, and infected dogs can shed the virus for months.

Distemper can cause discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and sometimes death. Young dogs that contract distemper require hospitalization and supportive care, and medications to help relieve secondary infections and possibly seizures.

Dogs can survive distemper; however, they will often exhibit neurologic deficits throughout their lives, which is why having your puppy vaccinated for this disease is so important.

Parvovirus

Parvovirus, or “Parvo,” is a highly contagious virus that affects all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies less than four months of age are most at risk.

Parvo attacks the gastrointestinal system and creates a loss of appetite, vomiting, often severe, bloody diarrhea, and fever. The vomiting and diarrhea can be acute, and cause severe dehydration in a matter of hours.

This is an extremely contagious virus. This virus can live indoors for several weeks and in the outdoor environment for many months, even years in areas shaded from direct sun-light, which is why veterinarians in Columbus highly recommended that all puppies get this vaccine.

Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

Canine hepatitis is another very contagious virus that affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and the eyes. This disease primarily attacks the liver, and symptoms range from a low-grade fever, congestion and stuffy nose, vomiting, jaundice, stomach enlargement, and abdominal pain.

Many dogs can overcome a mild bought of hepatitis, but more severe forms can damage the liver and even cause death.

By getting your puppy vaccinated for this virus, you help prevent them from experiencing these symptoms altogether.

Canine Parainfluenza

Canine parainflenza is one of several viruses that can cause what is known as “kennel cough.”

Canine parainfluenza targets the respiratory system is very contagious. This disease can be contracted in kennels, dog-parks and other areas where many dogs come into contact with one another.

This vaccine is recommended for all puppies, especially ones that live a more social lifestyle where they are often surrounded by many different dogs.

Bordetella

Bordetella is the number one cause of “kennel cough.” It’s a bacterium that is highly contagious, and can cause coughing fits, vomiting, and in rare cases seizures.

If you plan on boarding your puppy in a kennel, enrolling in puppy classes, or planning on having your puppy in dog daycare services, this puppy vaccine is recommended and often required by kennels and training facilities in Columbus. This vaccine is also highly recommended for puppies who participate in dog shows or get dog grooming services done.

Most Bordetella vaccines are good for 12 months.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterium and is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be spread from animals to pets and humans via urine of an infected animal . It lives in the soil and water, and is more common in parts of the US where wildlife comes into contact with domestic animals and humans.

Symptoms of leptospirosis include vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, muscle pain, and kidney and/or liver failure. If not treated, leptospirosis can be deadly.

This puppy vaccine is recommended by veterinarians in Columbus for puppies who spend a lot of time outdoors, who have wildlife near their homes, or go camping or to nature parks.

Rabies

Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system. This is the most dangerous zoonotic disease of domestic pets and is nearly 100% fatal.

Symptoms include excessive drooling, paralysis, anxiety and can ultimately lead to death. It is also a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans and other pets.

Due to it’s extremely deadly nature and capability to transfer to humans, rabies vaccines, or appropriate rabies titers (a measurement of rabies antibodies in the blood) are required for all dogs (and cats) in Columbus.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease caused by a bacterium known as a spirochete. The tick is the natural host of this bacterium, and is transmitted to animals by a tick bite.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include limping, enlarged lymph nodes, no appetite and a low-grade, intermittent fever. Lyme disease attacks the heart, joints and kidneys, and can cause neurological signs.

This vaccine is highly recommended for puppies in Columbus who go on hikes in the woods with their owners or who go camping or have deer near their yards.

Get Your Puppy Vaccinated in Columbus, OH

Puppy vaccines play a very important role in keeping your pet as healthy as possible. Whether your puppy mainly stays indoors or spends a lot of time outside at different places in Columbus, it’s very important to talk with your veterinarian and set up a schedule for your puppy to receive his vaccinations.

Each vaccination plan is tailored to fit your pet’s lifestyle, so your puppy will always receive the vaccines they need to help prevent them from getting harmful and potentially fatal diseases.