Dog Vaccination - Regular Vaccinations Are Critical to Your Dog's Health

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What exactly are dog vaccinations?

Dog vaccinations are a series of injections given to dogs, starting in puppyhood and continuing through adulthood. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we tailor vaccination schedules based on your dog’s age and lifestyle. The purpose of vaccines is to introduce small amounts of viral or bacterial particles, prompting the body to create an immune response. This response protects your dog, allowing their body to fight off diseases if exposed, preventing them from becoming ill.

What exactly are dog vaccinations?

Dog vaccinations are a series of injections given to dogs, starting in puppyhood and continuing through adulthood. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we tailor vaccination schedules based on your dog’s age and lifestyle. The purpose of vaccines is to introduce small amounts of viral or bacterial particles, prompting the body to create an immune response. This response protects your dog, allowing their body to fight off diseases if exposed, preventing them from becoming ill.

A small brown dog stands on a table while a veterinarian in blue scrubs and gloves prepares to give it an injection in a bright, modern room.

How do vaccinations impact the health and well-being of my dog?

Vaccinations play a crucial role in protecting your dog from potentially fatal diseases. For instance, parvovirus, which can be devastating for dogs, is entirely preventable through vaccination. Other serious diseases like rabies and distemper are also preventable. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we strongly believe in the power of prevention through vaccination to keep your pets healthy and happy.

A small brown dog stands on a table while a veterinarian in blue scrubs and gloves prepares to give it an injection in a bright, modern room.

How do vaccinations impact the health and well-being of my dog?

Vaccinations play a crucial role in protecting your dog from potentially fatal diseases. For instance, parvovirus, which can be devastating for dogs, is entirely preventable through vaccination. Other serious diseases like rabies and distemper are also preventable. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we strongly believe in the power of prevention through vaccination to keep your pets healthy and happy.

Are vaccinations required by law?

In California, the only vaccine required by law is rabies. This requirement exists because rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans and is often fatal. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we recommend rabies vaccination for both dogs and cats, as they can contract the virus from various wildlife, including bats in our area.

A veterinarian wearing gloves and a stethoscope gives a small brown and white dog an injection in its back. The dog looks calmly at the camera.
A veterinarian wearing gloves and a stethoscope gives a small brown and white dog an injection in its back. The dog looks calmly at the camera.

Are vaccinations required by law?

In California, the only vaccine required by law is rabies. This requirement exists because rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans and is often fatal. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we recommend rabies vaccination for both dogs and cats, as they can contract the virus from various wildlife, including bats in our area.

Absolutely. While we recommend core vaccines like parvo, distemper, and rabies for all dogs, our veterinarians at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care will consider your dog’s specific lifestyle when recommending additional vaccines. For dogs that frequently visit dog parks or boarding facilities, we may recommend vaccines for Bordetella (kennel cough) and canine influenza. We also consider vaccines like leptospirosis, depending on your dog’s exposure risk.

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we recommend starting vaccinations when you get your puppy, typically around seven to eight weeks old. Puppies should be vaccinated every three weeks until they’re four months old, as this is when they can mount a long-term immune response. For adult dogs, most vaccines are given annually, though some may require more frequent administration based on lifestyle and risk factors.

Staying on schedule with vaccinations is crucial to ensure your dog remains protected against dangerous diseases. Our team at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care will work with you to create and maintain an appropriate vaccination schedule for your pet.

For puppies, we recommend vaccinations every three weeks until they’re four months old. Adult dogs generally need annual vaccinations, which we often spread out over the year to make it easier on their immune system. During your annual visit to Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, our veterinarians will assess your dog’s needs and adjust the vaccination plan accordingly.

Vaccinations prevent numerous diseases, including parvovirus, distemper, rabies, Bordetella (which includes several upper respiratory infections), parainfluenza, and leptospirosis. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we’re committed to keeping these diseases at bay through consistent vaccination programs.

Most dogs tolerate multiple vaccines well. However, at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we understand that each dog is unique. If your dog is more sensitive to vaccines or if you have specific concerns, our veterinarians can create a customized plan, potentially pretreating or spreading out vaccines as needed.

Titer testing checks for antibodies against diseases like distemper or parvovirus. It can be useful for older dogs who have been consistently vaccinated, or in cases where there’s a medical reason to avoid vaccination. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we can discuss whether titer testing is appropriate for your dog and interpret the results to ensure your pet remains protected.

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Contact Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care

If you have any questions about dog vaccinations or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care. You can call us directly at (657) 756-5683, visit our website at Love.vet, or stop by our location at 16161 Springdale St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649. Our team, led by Dr. Ryan Smith and Dr. Reid Forman, is here to provide comprehensive care for your beloved pets.