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Bringing home a new puppy is exciting for everyone in the family. In addition to having a new playmate to bond with, there is a certain excitement that comes along with puppy preparation. Purchasing toys, selecting the perfect food bowls that match the kitchen, picking out a cozy bed, and trying to figure out which collar and leash set best suits his personality are fun details when it comes to bringing the baby home.
Dog parents are required by law to have their pets vaccinated for rabies. The American Animal Hospital Association classifies rabies shots as a core vaccine – one that is vital to all dogs because of exposure, severity of disease and transmissibility to humans. Canine parvovirus, distemper and canine hepatitis are also considered core vaccines, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Some areas require rabies shots every three years while others call for annual rabies vaccinations.
Healthy dogs should begin rabies vaccinations around 16 weeks of age. While vaccines save lives, they can cause adverse side effects because they mildly stimulate the animal’s immune system to create protection from infectious diseases.
Most dogs have no reactions to shots, but some may have brief reactions or need immediate care from a veterinarian. A dog suffering vaccine side effects may show fever, sluggishness, loss of appetite, facial swelling or hives, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, swelling, redness or hair loss around the injection site, lameness, collapse, difficulty breathing and seizures.
Concerned pet parents should make sure they have free time after their pups get rabies shots so they can monitor their dogs for any reactions. To learn more about the rabies vaccine, click here.
Source: ASPCA
