Vaccinating & Worming Your Dog
Like humans, dogs can catch infectious diseases. They may pick these up directly from other dogs, or from contact with the ground or other object. Some of these diseases are very serious and may be fatal, therefore you should always protect your dog with regular vaccinations.
A new puppy gets temporary protection from his mother, mainly through her milk and then first vaccinations are given at about six to eight weeks of age. The vaccine protects against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. The vaccination program cannot be finished before four months of age. A booster must be given annually from then on. Puppies should not be allowed on the street or out in public places mixing with other animals until 10 - 14 days have passed after the second injection or until your vet advises. Always keep your dog's vaccination certificates. You may need them in the future.
Booster vaccination
Protection created by vaccines is generally not as long lasting as natural immunity, so boosters are needed periodically and at different intervals for different diseases. Dogs which are kept in isolated conditions e.g. exercised only on their owner's land and never taken to dog shows or training classes are more in need of booster protection than dogs which live in towns and have a lot of contact with other dogs. This is because they will not be getting a degree of 'natural boosting' from the low level of infection present in these environments.
Worming
Most dogs are exposed to worms and other possible infestations and therefore the regular worming of your dog is important to keep them healthy. It is also worthy of note that some of the parasites that infect dogs can also be transmitted to humans. Worms can cause sickness and diarrhoea in puppies but adult dogs may not show any signs of being infected. Worming is easy, effective and costs little using a worming preparation obtained from your pharmacist, vet or pet shop. Adult dogs should be treated twice yearly and it is essential that puppies are wormed when they are about 2 weeks old and then treated at regular intervals until they are at least 6 months old. Ask your vet before worming your puppy.