Should You Vaccinate Your Dog? Yes or No

Why vaccinate

Put very simply, vaccination protects against a number of (serious) diseases. After a jab, your four-legged friend's body can take on the viruses that cross its path. Thanks to the vaccination, the odds are good that the virus loses the fight against your little scrapper.

How, what, when?

There are several diseases and several vaccines. I looked into which diseases exist, how a dog catches them and gets rid of them, and what the average cost of the vaccination is.

1. Kennel cough

• How: Through close contact with other dogs, so a kiss from the girlfriend is enough to cause kennel cough.
• Symptoms: Coughing, sneezing, watery eyes. After 14 days this should clear up. If your dog seems to be getting sicker instead, go to the vet, so your dog doesn't end up with these symptoms for good.
• Administration: Via nose drops.
• Cost of vaccination: approx. € 17.50 to € 45. Because the cost is fairly high and the vaccination isn't strictly necessary, some vets don't give it automatically.

2. Parvo

• How: This disease is often passed on to our four-legged friends indirectly. The virus can be found in the faeces or vomit of an infected dog. Young dogs in particular (whose immune system hasn't built up yet) can catch it more easily. Left untreated, this disease can be life-threatening.
• Symptoms: Listlessness, vomiting, refusing food, watery poo, dehydration and a high fever.
• Administration: Via an injection.
• Cost of vaccination: approx. € 35 to € 45 (often given as a cocktail, with several vaccinations at once).

3. Weil's disease (leptospirosis)

• How: Through the skin or mucous membranes (mouth) of an infected dog, through contaminated soil, contaminated water, or contaminated rat urine. The bacterium settles in the kidneys and can therefore cause kidney failure.
• Symptoms: Sluggishness, nausea, drinking a lot, peeing a lot, joint pain, difficulty walking, fever.
• Administration: Via an injection.
• Cost of vaccination: approx. € 35 to € 45 (often given as a cocktail, with several vaccinations at once).

4. HCC or liver disease

• How: Through the saliva or faeces of infected animals and through indirect means (shoes, grass and so on). Once a dog has caught this disease (more common in young dogs) there is little to nothing left to be done, and in most cases it is life-threatening. Fortunately the disease is no longer common.
• Symptoms: Drinking and peeing a lot, poor appetite, vomiting, weight loss, abnormal stools.
• Administration: Via an injection.
• Cost of vaccination: approx. € 35 to € 45 (often given as a cocktail, with several vaccinations at once).

5. Distemper

• How: Through direct contact with other dogs or indirect means (clothing, food bowls and so on).
• Symptoms: Fever, drowsiness, runny nose, watery eyes. In more advanced cases, eye infections, throat infections, vomiting and diarrhoea can follow. The disease can also attack the brain, which you will recognise by walking in circles, epileptic fits and, in the worst case, coma and death. This disease doesn't make every dog ill, but the risk is higher for puppies.
• Administration: Via an injection.
• Cost of vaccination: approx. € 35 to € 45 (often given as a cocktail, with several vaccinations at once).

6. Rabies

• How: Through bite wounds (from an infected dog). Mind you: we two-legged creatures can catch it too, which makes this disease extra dangerous.
• Symptoms: Furious or dumb rabies. Your dog's behaviour changes, often the opposite of the character you know. The dog slowly becomes paralysed and dies. This disease cannot be treated, and infected dogs have to be reported to the authorities (because of the danger) and sadly be put to sleep.
• Administration: Via an injection. Is your buddy coming on holiday? Then a rabies vaccination is often compulsory, and this is checked strictly.
• Cost of vaccination: approx. € 35 to € 45 (often given as a cocktail, with several vaccinations at once). You can also have your dog vaccinated against this disease "separately", which costs about € 10.

How often should I vaccinate my dog?

After reading about all those scary diseases, are you planning to get your buddy vaccinated? Then you can follow the schedule below. Did you know that most vets send a reminder when your friend is due again? Very handy.

Schedule for puppies

A puppy needs more vaccinations than an adult dog, because its immune system isn't properly developed yet. The first vaccination can offer protection, but doesn't make the puppy immune straight away.

• Puppy of 6 weeks: parvo, distemper
• Puppy of 8 to 9 weeks: parvo, Weil's disease, kennel cough if there is an increased risk
• Puppy of 12 weeks: distemper, parvo, Weil's disease, liver disease, rabies
• Puppy of 1 year: distemper, parvo, Weil's disease, liver disease, rabies, kennel cough if there is an increased risk

Schedule for adult dogs

• 2 years old: parvo, distemper
• 3 years old: parvo, Weil's disease, kennel cough if there is an increased risk
• 4 years old: distemper, parvo, Weil's disease, liver disease, rabies
• 5 to 8 years old: distemper, parvo, Weil's disease, liver disease, rabies, kennel cough if there is an increased risk

Why not vaccinate

Some people believe it's better not to vaccinate your dog. Giving a vaccine is, in essence, giving (weakened) bacteria and viruses, so you do make your dog a little bit ill.

Our conclusion

While writing this blog we saw just how nasty the diseases our friends can catch really are. Some symptoms are extreme and sometimes even fatal. That gave us quite a fright.

Whichever theory you agree with: "making your dog ill" is sometimes necessary, because that is how the body builds antibodies against the virus. The same goes for the jabs we humans get. So as far as we're concerned: Better safe than sorry!

Please note: this blog is for information only. Do you have questions, or is your buddy ill, weak or queasy? Give the vet a quick call.

Also read which foods are toxic and dangerous for your dog and what to do about a dog that is moulting. And take a look at all our dog products.