| If you have or are considering adopting a puppy, | | | | Bordatella, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Lyme |
| then you are probably going through the new owner | | | | disease. Don't be afraid to talk to your veterinarian |
| checklist. You know, the list that reminds you to buy | | | | about the necessity of these vaccinations. Also, don't |
| dog food, pick out a crate, and schedule the | | | | rule out the vaccinations just because they may be |
| veterinarian examinations. Once you get to the | | | | optional. If the Lyme disease vaccination is not |
| "veterinarian examinations" portion of the checklist, | | | | required in your area, then you may choose not to |
| you have probably realized that section has a | | | | have your pet vaccinated. However, if you travel to |
| checklist of its own. For your new pup's health, it is | | | | a place where Lyme disease thrives, then you may |
| important that you get him vaccinated. Exactly which | | | | choose to have your pet inoculated before your |
| vaccinations your pooch needs depends upon the | | | | departure. |
| area in which you live, but some vaccinations are | | | | In addition to veterinarian or state requirements, |
| required throughout the country. | | | | many travel accommodations have their own |
| Vaccinations are important for the health and | | | | requirements. If you plan on leaving your pooch in a |
| wellbeing of your pet. If you live in an area where | | | | kennel while you are away, realize that it is not |
| ticks are rampant but you forget to have your | | | | uncommon for the kennel to require your pet to |
| pooch protected against Lyme disease, then a single | | | | have had the Bordatella vaccination. This keeps |
| tick bite could be deadly. The same is true for rabies, | | | | kennel cough (an extremely fast-spreading sickness) |
| hepatitis, and distemper, among other diseases. So, | | | | from plaguing the kennel. Resorts and day cares that |
| first thing's first: take your pup straight to the | | | | cater to animals may also have their own |
| veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you figure out | | | | requirements, especially if the animal will be staying |
| what your pooch needs and when he needs it. | | | | overnight. |
| There are a handful of vaccines that are given no | | | | With all of these possible vaccinations, what should |
| matter what part of the region you reside. Other | | | | you do? First of all, talk to your veterinarian. Figure |
| vaccines may be tailored to the area where you live, | | | | out what is required in your area and what is |
| such as the previous Lyme disease example. Your | | | | recommended. If you want time to consider, then go |
| state, and possibly region, has laws on what exactly | | | | ahead and let your pooch have the required |
| your dog needs to be protected. Not only is this for | | | | vaccinations while you research the optional ones. If |
| the safety of your dog, but it is to prevent the | | | | you plan on traveling or leaving your pooch at a pet |
| spread of the disease to other animals, or even | | | | facility, then check with the destination on what |
| people, in the community. So, keep this in mind if you | | | | additional vaccinations your pooch needs. It is a good |
| think your pooch does not need an injection: you | | | | idea to plan ahead, since many facilities require a |
| may be putting others at risk. | | | | specific period of time between the inoculation and |
| Most, but not all, areas in the United States require | | | | boarding. |
| Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Rabies. Typically, | | | | Vaccinations are an important part of preventative |
| these immunizations are given at the same time, | | | | care. Depending upon where you live, there are |
| depending on the age of the puppy. They are then | | | | certain sicknesses and diseases that can plague your |
| repeated after one year, known as a "booster" shot. | | | | pooch; vaccinations can help protect him and others |
| The booster shots should be repeated every three | | | | in the community. Talk to your vet about which |
| years, extending the dog's life. As mentioned before, | | | | vaccines are required and which are optional. Then, |
| the state in which you reside may require additional | | | | do your own research to decide whether or not your |
| vaccinations, or the state may require a distinct | | | | pet needs the optional vaccinations. If you plan on |
| booster schedule. | | | | traveling, then don't forget to check with your |
| Other vaccinations that depend on the veterinarian or | | | | destination about additional vaccinations required for |
| the area where you live include coronavirus, | | | | your pet. |