Dog Vaccinations

Dog Vaccinations

When you bring a new puppy home; the most important thing is to get him vaccinated. You can either take him to a veterinarian or give him the required shots easily at home. Vaccinations make the immune system detect and respond to various infections and diseases, before they can cause any form of serious harm to the body. Most of the dog vaccinations are generally administered by subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into the muscle) injection and help to fight various lethal and incurable diseases. Thus, it becomes imperative that you vaccinate your pet with necessary vaccination shots and jabs at the proper time. Read this article to know about the various important dog vaccines and their schedule.

Types of Dog Vaccines

Generally there are two types of dog vaccines - Core Vaccines and Non-Core Vaccines.

Core Vaccines (Recommended for all Dogs)

Rabies Vaccine

Since rabies is an incurable disease that can even inflict humans, administering a rabies vaccine to your dog is required by law. A rabies vaccine is given when the dog is between 16-18 weeks of age. An additional jab is given after one year, after which boosters are given every three years.

Distemper Combination Vaccine

This vaccine covers diseases like Distemper Virus, Parvovirus, Adenovirus and Parainfluenza Virus in a single injection. This vaccination should be administered to the puppy after 6-8 weeks of age. A booster should also be given every 3-4 weeks, till the puppies are 16 weeks old.

Non-Core Vaccines (Depend on Risk Factors)

Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough Vaccine)

These vaccines fight against the bacteria called Bordetella Bronchiseptica that causes kennel cough in dogs. It should be generally administered to puppies that come in large contact with other dogs (during grooming or training classes). It can be taken either annually or semi-annually, depending on the requirement and the level of risk the pup is open to.

Lyme Disease Vaccine

Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete called Borrelia Burgdorferri. Ticks carrying the bacteria may spread the disease in dogs through tick-bites and it might lead to various cardiac, kidney and neurological disorders. Two shots of this vaccine should be given three weeks apart and then boostered annually to resist the disease.

You should always ensure that your pet is properly vaccinated, before he mingles with other dogs. See that you take him to a veterinarian for regular health check-ups. Give him all the necessary vaccines at the right time and help him enjoy a long and healthy life.

Control Of Rabies

Control Of Rabies

What You Can Do To Help Control Rabies

Have your veterinarian vaccinate your cats, dogs, ferrets, and selected livestock. Keep the vaccinations up-to-date. Your veterinarian will advise you on the recommended or required frequency of vaccination in your locality.

Reduce the possibility of exposure to rabies by keeping your animals on your property. Don't let pets roam free. Don't leave garbage or pet food outside because it may attract wild or stray animals.

Wild animals should not be kept as pets. They are a potential rabies threat to their owners and to others. Observe all wild animals from a distance, even if they seem friendly.

A rabid wild animal may act tame. Don't go near it. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to the city or county animal control department.

If You Have Been Bitten

Don't panic — but don't ignore the bite either. Wash the wound thoroughly and vigorously with soap and lots of water.

If possible, capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least try to identify it before it runs away. Don't try to pick the animal up. Call the local animal control authorities to come and get the animal.

If it is a wild animal, try to capture it if you can do so safely without being bitten again. If the animal cannot be captured and it must be killed to prevent its escape, don't damage the head. The brain will be needed to test for rabies.

Call your physician immediately. Explain how you were bitten and follow the physician's advice.

Report the bite to the local health department.

If Your Pet Has Been Bitten

• Immediately consult your veterinarian.
• Report the bite to the local animal control authorities.
• Dogs, cats and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner's control, and observed for a period as specified by state law or local ordinances (normally 45 days or more).
• Animals with expired vaccinations will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal may need to be euthanatized immediately. Alternatively, the animal should be checked and immediately placed in strict isolation for 6 months and vaccinated 1 month before being released.
• If bitten by a rabid animal, other animals should be euthanatized immediately.

If Your Pet Has Bitten Someone

Urge the victim to see a physician immediately and to follow the physician's recommendations.

Report the bite to the local health department and animal control authorities. If your pet is a cat, dog or ferret, the officials will confine the animal and watch it closely for 10 days. Home confinement may be allowed. Immediately report any illness or unusual behavior with your pet to your local health department and veterinarian. Don't let your pet stray, and don't give your pet away. The animal must be available for observation by public health authorities or a veterinarian.

Check with your veterinarian to be sure your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date.

After the recommended observation period, have your pet vaccinated for rabies if it does not have a current rabies vaccination.

Easily Way To Give Your Cat a Pill

How to Give Your Cat a Pill

step by step

Here's How:

1. Have pill ready before hand -- some pills cannot be split/crushed so you may want to check with the prescribing vet first.
2. Butter is a good 'lubricant' to put on the pill before administration to ease in swallowing.
3. Have a large beach towel or blanket ready.
4. Get out some canned cat food or other cat treat to attract the cat's interest. (Have it nearby, don't offer it yet) Make sure that the medication can be given with food.
5. Keep a positive outlook and talk in a soothing voice to your cat.
6. Gently wrap the towel or blanket around the cat's neck, above the shoulders. (Note: some cats fight this more than it is worth. If this is the case, skip this step and proceed to step 7.)
7. Snuggle the cat under your left arm, firmly against your body.
8. With your free hand, grab the pill.
9. With the hand holding the cat, gently pry open the mouth at the corners of the lips.
10. The pill should be placed in the open mouth, as far back as possible, where the back of the tongue forms a 'V'.
11. Allow cat to close mouth, keeping the cat snuggled close to your body, and a hand under the cat's chin to prevent the pill from being spit out.
12. Stroke the chin and neck area gently, watching for signs of swallowing.
13. You can also gently blow in the nostrils to induce swallowing.
14. Offer a small portion of a treat or canned food to divert the cat's attention from ejecting the pill and to ensure that the pill is indeed swallowed.
    

Tips:

1. Some vets and pharmacies specialize in making medications tasty to pets. If you are having difficulty with medication administration, ask if this would be a possibility for your pet.
2. Praise and reward the cat after the pill is administered, so the experience will be as positive as possible. Give the treat without the pill now and then, too.
3. Stand behind your cat, using your body to prevent the cat from wriggling free backwards through your arms.

A video help you to know

How to Feed Your Cat Pills Using Pill Pockets

http://www.ehow.com/video_2259730_feed-cat-pills-using-pill.html

General Signs of Healthy pets

General Signs of Healthy pets

Only a healthy pet is a happy companion. Assuring your pet's daily well-being requires regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health. The American Veterinary Medical Association therefore suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs:

1-Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, and a ragged or dull coat. Foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on teeth
2-Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body
3-Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings
4-Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination
5-Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption
6-Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy
7-Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down