| $ $ Booster Annual Shots: $55 - $75 | $ $ $ 1st Round of Dog Vaccines: $75 - $350 |
Vaccines have been a controversial subject in the last few years, especially since we’ve been living with the COVID-19 pandemic.
But vaccines are one of the greatest medical and scientific advances of humankind.
Ever since the first vaccine was successfully created at the end of the XVIII century, life-threatening diseases have been almost eradicated, for humans and animals as well.
Let’s look into why dog vaccines are important, when are they necessary, and how much dog vaccines cost.
Table of Contents
Should I Vaccinate My Dog?
Yes, you should vaccinate your dog and any other pet you have in your house.
Vaccines will protect your dog from bacterial or viral diseases, some of which could also end up affecting humans as rabies does.
Every time you take your dog out for a walk, to a park, to the vet, or a grooming appointment, there will be other dogs that could become a risk for your dog if they’re not vaccinated.
The same thing will happen to other dogs if you don’t vaccinate yours.
You’ll be giving your dog a tool to live a longer and happier life.
He or she won’t have to suffer because of preventable diseases, and you’ll be avoiding the same fate for other dogs at the same time.
How Do Vaccines Work?
There are different types of vaccines, but they have the same purpose.
Vaccines have pathogens that help your dog’s body to fight future infections.
Your dog’s immune system will be able to identify those pathogens and destroy them.
If your dog does get sick, it will be less severe than if it wasn’t vaccinated.
Vaccines’ protection tends to decline over time, so a booster shot is usually necessary for your dog after a year or so, depending on the vaccine in question and your dog’s immune system.
When Should I Vaccinate My Dog?
Puppies have their first vaccination shots when they’re from 6 to 8 weeks old.
These include Distemper, Parvovirus, and Bordetella vaccines.
Then, the vet will program a schedule for your puppy to get the rest of the shots.
The most common are DHPP -distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus-, influenza, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and rabies.
These optional vaccines will be recommended by the vet according to your dog’s lifestyle and environment.
Older dogs that are being adopted and have no record of prior vaccinations should also be vaccinated.
Are There Any Side Effects in Vaccinating My Dog?
There are usually no side effects after vaccinating a dog.
In some cases, there could be a mild reaction to the vaccination.
Your dog could have pain where the vaccine was administered, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
Extreme and rare symptoms include seizures, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, and lethargy.
If your dog was recently vaccinated and has any of these last symptoms, you should take it to your vet as soon as possible.
How Much Does Dog Vaccination Cost?
The cost of vaccinating a dog depends on where you live, the environment and lifestyle your dog has, and how you got -or are planning to get- your dog.
If you adopt a dog, most shelters vaccinate all the dogs before giving them up for adoption, so the chances are vaccines are already included in the adoption fee you must pay.
The environment and lifestyle of your dog will affect the overall cost because he or she might need extra vaccinations depending on the risks present in the environment.
Vaccinating a dog can cost between $75 to $350 for the first rounds of vaccines.
Booster shots will cost annually, from $55 to $75.
There are community associations or shelters that might offer cheaper or even free dog vaccines.
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