Basic Vaccine Schedule for Dogs

Vaccinations are an important part of preventive care for your dog. Pet vaccinations help to protect your dog from all kinds of serious diseases that could cause harm to your pup. Our Montecito vets discuss the importance of vaccines for your dog as well as what the basic vaccines schedule looks like.

When your dog receives a vaccine they are being protected against various types of diseases. These pet vaccinations protect your companion by entering the body and creating a mild immune response to the virus or disease, this response allows the body to learn about the illness and to create cells or antibodies that will be successful in fighting off any future virus or disease organisms of that type if it happens to enter your pet's body. 

When your pet is vaccinated it means that if they are exposed to a threatening organism they either will be immune and have no response or they will have a mild response and a better outcome compared to pets that have not been vaccinated.

Dog vaccinations have been proven to have prevented unnecessary illness and disease on a global level for the past 100 years with millions of animal lives saved. These pet vaccinations are designed to protect both you and your pet from a wide variety of contagious, potentially life-threatening and entirely preventable diseases.

What is the basic vaccine schedule for dogs and puppies?

Why are vaccines important?

Vaccinations are a crucial step in the overall life-long health and wellbeing of your pet. These dog vaccinations are used as a critical form of protection for your dog or puppy against many common diseases. These diseases are entirely preventable and without these puppy vaccinations, some of these diseases are fatal.

For puppies and dogs with medical conditions and weakened immune systems, diseases such as rabies, hepatitis, and parvovirus can be very serious and even life-threatening. The pet vaccines prevent these diseases from developing in the first place, which is always a better option than treating conditions after they are already negatively affecting your pet.

Vaccines are used to protect your dog's immune system by teaching the cells within its body to defend itself from any possible invasion of disease-causing organisms either stopping future infections from happening altogether or reducing the severity. These dog vaccines contain antigens, which mimic disease-causing organisms in a dog's immune system, but don't actually cause disease. The purpose of puppy vaccines and dog vaccines is to mildly stimulate the immune system by having it recognize the antigens present. This way, if any disease-causing organisms enter your dog's body, the immune system will recognize it, and therefore be prepared to fight it off, or at the least reduce its effects.

What are some benefits of vaccines?

• Prevents serious diseases
• Most states have laws about vaccinating against common disease
• It keeps your other pets safe
• Better choice financially
• Having your dog vaccinated keeps your family safe as well

Is your puppy or dog due for their regularly scheduled vaccines and parasite prevention? Contact our Montecito vets today to schedule an appointment.