Making sure that your dog gets his or her routine annual vaccinations and vet visit is really an important part of overall dog health and care. Using the same vet is highly recommended since he or she will have a better idea of your dog as well as your sense and understanding of your pet. If you go to a different vet every year or use whichever vet is at that clinic that day the vet is really at a disadvantage to catch small changes in your dog's behavior and health. It is similar to going to a family doctor rather than just going to the emergency ward or the local clinic. Building a rapport with your vet also helps you feel comfortable in asking questions and finding out information about your dog from a trusted professional.

Annual Vaccinations

Luckily, or perhaps thankfully, most of the canine species are relatively healthy provided they are vaccinated and protected from some of the very serious and fatal viral illnesses that are all too easily passed between dogs and animals. The way that owners and vets are able to protect puppies and dogs from these health conditions are through vaccinations. During the puppies first few months he or she will go through a series of shots and then boosters that need to be re-vaccinated every year or every other year, depending on the vet and the vaccination used. In most but not all areas the following vaccines are included in the combination of vaccinations for your dog:

• Canine distemper
• Canine leptospirosis
• Canine adenovirus-1 & hepatitis
• Canine parainfluenza virus
• Canine parvovirus
• Canine coronavirus

In addition rabies may be an annual or every two year vaccination and some dogs will also receive treatment for Bordatella, more commonly known as kennel cough, as well as Lyme Disease in areas with ticks.

Vet Examination

Besides just the vaccination your vet will also want to complete a physical examination of your dog. This will include getting the dog's weight, heart rate and checking their respiratory system by listening to their lung function. In addition vets may also examine the skin and coat, check the eyes and ears and examine the dog's legs, feet and head for any signs of tumors or problems.

In most cases the vet will also worm the dog with an oral paste, do a blood test if heartworm is problematic in your area as well as check out any specific concerns that the owner has.

Talking to your vet about your dog during the exam is important. If you have concerns about vaccinations or are planning on taking your dog to another area, region or country be sure to tell your vet so he or she can advise you on any vaccinations or health concerns you should be aware of.

Puppies are often very susceptible to viral and bacterial problem and it is important to start dog vaccines as prescribed by your vet and your breeder. Before your puppy is vaccinated he or she is somewhat protected through the antibodies that the mother supplies in her milk. Puppies that are not kept with their mother for some reason are particularly at risk for infections as well as viral and bacterial diseases in their first few weeks of life. Each vaccination is required within a specific amount of time, with puppies getting the vaccination and then a series of boosters that ensure protection.

When To Vaccinate

Puppies are usually vaccinated approximately six weeks of age and then again at nine and twelve weeks. Often vets recommend a third booster at 16 weeks since some breeds are less likely to develop antibodies to protect the puppy when they are younger. There are also situations where puppies may need more frequent and aggressive types of dog vaccines if they are exposed to outbreaks of diseases such as parvovirus or they are exposed to large numbers of dogs when kenneled. Some puppies, especially those that are single dogs kept under very close supervision with no contact with other dogs typically need less aggressive vaccination programs.

Necessary Dog Vaccines

While there may be some variations between locations and geographic areas, most puppy and dog vaccines are pre-set and are given as combination shots. This prevents the puppy from having three or four different needles, rather everything is provided in one simple vaccine. The core dog vaccines for puppies include:

• Canine Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Hepatitis
• Coronavirus where a concern
• Leptospirosis where a concern

Puppies are typically not vaccinated for the last two until the second vaccine after six to nine weeks of age. Rabies, in most areas, is also a core dog vaccine but will not be administered until the puppies are over 12 weeks of age. Vaccinations for Lyme Disease are also provided at the same time where ticks are a problem.

Following up both with the initial shots for puppies as well as the series of booster shots is critical. Dogs, unlike people, need to be annually vaccinated to keep their immunity up. Some shots, such as the rabies dog vaccines, may last more than one year. Talk to your vet and get a recommended vaccination schedule for your area. Also talk to your vet if you are traveling outside of your region, there may be additional vaccinations required to prevent your dog picking something up while on the trip.

Identification

It is a great idea to have your puppy microchipped as soon as possible. Usually vets will complete the procedure as long as the puppy is physically big enough, which may be fairly young on larger breeds but a bit longer on the toy and small dogs. Talk to your vet about when this procedure can be completed, it is simple and done right in the office, usually along with the vaccinations.

In the mean time keep your puppy under your supervision at all times and use a durable, well fitted collar with identification tags in the event that he or she wanders away. When the dog is older you may also want to consider tattooing if he or she is a purebred.

Keeping up with dog vaccines and ensuring that puppies are properly vaccinated and wear identification will give owners peace of mind plus protect the puppy against many potentially fatal and common health concerns.