DON'T OVER VACCINATE OR UNDER VACCINATE YOUR DOG

Do you ever worry if you're getting the right amount of vaccinations for your dog? Vaccinations for dogs can sometimes be confusing, and often a bit controversial for some pet parents. 

Don't Over Vaccinate or Under Vaccinate Your Dog

There are so many articles, videos, and podcasts that argue for more, or less vaccinations for dogs.  How can you be sure you don't over-vaccinate OR under-vaccinate your dog?

To alleviate my own worry about whether or not my dogs are getting too many or too few vaccinations, I rely on my Veterinarian to advise me on what "core" vaccinations dogs should receive, and we have a discussion about non-core vaccinations like the Bordetella vaccine, which is usually recommended if you board dogs at a kennel or if the dog attends doggy daycamp.

If you have a Veterinarian you trust and can have an honest conversation with, you should feel confident your pet is getting the proper amount and type of vaccines to stay healthy and happy.  I wanted to share a disturbing conversation we witnessed while at PetSmart with our dogs.

The Dog Vaccination Debate

While  shopping in PetSmart I overheard a woman at the Banfield Pet Hospital desk.  She was asking if one of the staff would trim her Chihuahua's nails.  The dog's nails had gotten extremely long and were starting to grow into the dog's paw pads. 

I trust our Vet to ensure Phoebe and Icy get the right amount and type of vaccinations

Since the dog wasn't a patient of theirs, the dutiful staff member asked for proof of Rabies vaccination.  That's when something happened that shocked me!

Is Your Dog Vaccinated Against Kennel Cough?

Kennel Cough is an upper respiratory illness that will make your dog miserable.  The Bordetella vaccine is intended to prevent Kennel Cough, a highly contagious illness that can be transmitted through the air or through direct contact with an infected dog.   If your dog gets boarded at a kennel or Veterinarian’s office,  gets  groomed, attends doggie day camp, or attends dog shows or competitions you may want to have a discussion with your Veterinarian about whether or not your dog should have the Bordetella vaccine.

 

My dog Icy checking in for day camp at PetSmart, looking like she owns the place!

 

The main symptom of Kennel Cough is a continual dry, hacking cough that begins around three to seven days after the dog has been infected, and can last for several weeks.  Kennel Cough can make your dog positively miserable as he coughs uncontrollably all day and all night.  Watching him suffer through it will make you pretty miserable too!