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Vaccinations for dogs: what you need to know

Just like in humans, vaccinations can prevent various diseases and their possible effects in dogs. In the following we will explain which vaccinations are important for dogs, whether they can lead to side effects and what costs you have to expect.

Vaccinations for dogs: side effects usually do not occur

The topic of vaccinations for dogs is often controversially discussed and even considered harmful by opponents. In principle it is correct that vaccinations can cause intolerances in dogs. At the same time, however, they also protect against dangerous diseases, some of which can even be fatal.


Apart from that, vaccinations in dogs do not lead to side effects as often as is sometimes claimed. In rare cases there may be a slight swelling of the puncture site or an allergic reaction. However, some of the side effects that vaccinations are said to have in dogs are not even proven in any form.

Mandatory vaccinations for dogs

Vaccinations for dogs

Of course not all vaccinations are recommended for dogs. We advise you to follow the principle of the Standing Veterinary Vaccination Commission and to have only necessary vaccinations carried out.


First concentrate on the so-called compulsory vaccinations. These are the vaccinations that your dog should have in any case. Despite the name, compulsory vaccinations are of course voluntary. Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you follow the recommendations regarding vaccination protection.

The following vaccinations are compulsory vaccinations:

  • Leptospirosis
  • Rabies
  • Distemper
  • Parvovirus
  • Hepatitis contagiosa canis (HCC)

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease that leads to bloody inflammation of the digestive tract and to damage to the liver and kidneys. The disease is caused by leptospires and is particularly dangerous for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection. The pathogens are transmitted by the bites of infected animals. Rabies causes severe disturbances in the central nervous system and is fatal for many dogs. Treatment is not possible.

Distemper

Distemper is also a viral disease with a potentially fatal outcome. The pathogens are located in the secretions of the mouth, nose or eyes and can be transmitted to your four-legged friend through contact with an infected dog.

Parvovirosis

A disease of parvovirus leads to bloody diarrhea and severe vomiting. This often results in a dangerous lack of fluid in affected dogs. It is difficult to treat parvovirus. Puppies in particular often die as a result of an infection.

Hepatitis contagiosa canis (HCC)

Hepatitis contagiosa canis is a contagious inflammation of the liver. Initial symptoms of HCC include fever and digestive problems. As the disease progresses, HCC can eventually lead to chronic hepatitis. HCC can be transmitted through contact with infected saliva, urine or faeces from fellow puppies and is fatal in many cases, especially for puppies.

Optional vaccinations for dogs

Optional vaccinations are vaccinations that are not mandatory for every dog. Here it has to be considered in the individual case whether for the respective four-legged friend an increased risk of an infection exists or whether the vaccination protection can be done without.

The following vaccinations are among the optional vaccinations:

Kennel cough

Kennel cough is an infectious disease affecting the upper respiratory tract. The symptoms of kennel cough in dogs include dry cough, frequent choking, vomiting and fever. At least for puppies and older dogs an infection with kennel cough can become life-threatening.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is an infectious disease that can be transmitted by the bite of a tick. The symptoms of Lyme disease are non-specific and often occur long after the actual infection. The course cannot be predicted. In some cases, Lyme disease can lead to permanent organ damage or paralysis in dogs.

Tetanus

Although tetanus is dangerous, it is extremely rare in dogs. If an infected animal is not treated immediately, tetanus usually leads to death.

Coronavirus

Coronavirus is a contagious disease of the intestine that manifests itself in severe vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Coronaviruses spread through the faeces of infected animals. The treatment requires antibiotics and infusions.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease transmitted from sand flies to dogs. A complete cure is not possible in most cases. The therapy therefore aims to alleviate the symptoms of leishmaniasis in dogs. In Germany, the risk of infection is currently still very low. If you want to take your dog on holiday in Southern Europe, a leishmaniasis vaccination is recommended.

Bellfor expert tip

To prevent infection with leishmaniasis, we recommend Bellfor ZEComplete (spray and biscuits) as natural protection against mosquitoes.


For dogs already suffering from leishmaniasis, an accompanying treatment with CBD oil can be useful and improve their well-being.

Canines herpes virus

Canines herpes virus leads to respiratory disease. Newborn puppies can die from an infection within a few days.


If your bitch is to have offspring, vaccination before pregnancy is advisable.

When should vaccinations be carried out in dogs?

The first vaccinations for dogs should be carried out at puppy age. This is referred to as basic immunisation, which can begin approximately in the eighth week of life. Depending on the vaccine, two to three more vaccinations are required every four weeks. Only then does the puppy have sufficient protection against the relevant pathogens.


However, even in dogs, the vaccination protection does not last permanently, so that regular booster vaccinations are necessary. Depending on the vaccine, these must be carried out every one to three years. As with humans, the vaccinations carried out are also entered in the vaccination pass for dogs or alternatively in the EU pet passport.

That costs vaccinations with dogs

The costs you incur for vaccinating your dog are regulated by the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte, GOT). However, as this allows a lot of room for manoeuvre, it is possible that the vaccination costs for different veterinarians may vary.


In addition, the amount of the costs for the vaccination of your dog naturally also depends on the disease from which your four-legged friend should be protected at all. A vaccination against rabies, for example, usually costs about 30 euros.


If, on the other hand, you opt for a combined vaccination, in which your dog is administered several vaccines at once, the costs will be correspondingly higher. For a 6-fold vaccination against distemper, parvovirus, rabies, leptospirosis, HCC and kennel cough, for example, you have to expect an amount between 50 and 70 euros.

Strengthening the immune system in vaccinated dogs

The possible side effects of vaccinations for dogs are often presented worse than they actually are. Nevertheless, vaccinating your four-legged friend's organism is always a burden.


For this reason we recommend you to do something for the defences of your quadruped after the vaccination. Use Bellfor Immune with insect protein, propolis and other natural ingredients to support your dog's immune system after vaccination.

Our conclusion on vaccinations for dogs

Many keepers are still very critical about vaccinations. But even if not every vaccination offered for dogs makes sense, we are still of the opinion that they are at least partly an important precautionary measure.


Mandatory vaccinations against infections with rabies, distemper or HCC should ideally be carried out on all dogs. The comparatively low risk of vaccination for these diseases is disproportionate to the possible consequences that an infection can have for your dog.


For all other vaccinations you should consider for yourself how high the risk of infection is and whether a vaccination makes sense for your dog. If you follow these rules, don't usually do anything wrong and provide exactly the vaccination protection your dog actually needs.

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