Essential Pet Vaccination Knowledge: A Comprehensive Gu

What is a Vaccine?

Vaccines are biological products prepared from various pathogenic microorganisms, designed for preventive inoculation. They are created by artificially attenuating, inactivating, or utilizing genetically modified methods to produce immunizing agents that prevent infectious diseases.

Vaccines retain the ability of pathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses) and their metabolic products to stimulate an animal's immune system. When an animal is exposed to these nonharmful pathogens, its immune system produces protective substances, including immune hormones, active physiological substances, and specific antibodies.

Upon subsequent exposure to the same pathogen, the animal's immune system, relying on its previous memory, will produce more protective substances to ward off the pathogen's harm. Vaccination is the most costeffective and efficient public health intervention for preventing and controlling infectious diseases, and it is also an effective way to reduce the incidence of canine diseases and medical expenses for families and society.

"Bivalent, tetravalent, and hexavalent" vaccines refer to combinations of multiple vaccines, which can prevent a certain number of diseases, not the number of injections.

Bivalent Vaccine: Canine distemper and canine parvovirus; Tetravalent Vaccine: Canine distemper, canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus, and canine parainfluenza; Hexavalent Vaccine: Canine distemper, canine parvovirus, canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus types I and II, and Leptospirosis; Rabies Vaccine: For healthy dogs, cats, and other animals to prevent rabies.

Vaccination Schedule

The bivalent vaccine is generally administered to puppies between 4 to 6 weeks old; the tetravalent vaccine is administered in three doses starting at 8 weeks old, with each dose given at least 3 weeks apart; the hexavalent vaccine and rabies vaccine are administered in three doses starting at 6 weeks old, with each dose given 3 to 4 weeks apart (puppies under 3 months old require three doses consecutively, while those over 3 months old require two doses).

The above schedules are for reference only, and the specific timing should be determined based on the puppy's health condition and medical advice.

Points to Note When Vaccinating

Vaccines administered to puppies before 45 days of age may be neutralized by maternal antibodies from the mother's milk, leading to immunization failure.

Although vaccines are weakened viruses with much lower activity than normal viruses, healthy puppies' immune systems can overcome the virus. However, vaccination must be carried out when the puppy is in good health.

Here are some important points to consider:

1. Vaccination should be done when the puppy is in good health. Avoid vaccination if the puppy has an impaired immune system, has not been dewormed, has a cold or fever, or has latent or concurrent infections to prevent any potential threats to the puppy's life.

2. It is recommended to use the same brand of vaccine to avoid potential inactivation.

3. Both domestic and imported vaccines have their advantages and disadvantages. Parents should choose based on their specific circumstances.

4. Avoid bathing the puppy during the immunization period.

Generally, after the final injection, a booster dose of the rabies vaccine is required (except for those with a sevenvalent or higher vaccine containing rabies). China is a rabiesendemic area, so it is recommended to receive an annual booster injection.

Most dogs do not experience adverse reactions after vaccination. Some may have symptoms such as fever, decreased appetite, and pain, which usually resolve within 1 to 3 days. If allergic reactions such as severe itching occur, seek medical attention immediately.

It is recommended to keep pet dogs at home for 10 days after completing all vaccinations and to avoid contact with other stray dogs as much as possible.