Lots of Brits have a pet dog but knowing when they need vaccinations can be tricky.
Vaccinations help prevent our pets from picking up viruses and diseases and to help you understand when they’re needed, the PDSA has shared some useful information.
The vet charity explains via its website that there are four things that dogs should be vaccinated against in the UK – let’s take a look.
What things should my dog be vaccinated against?
The PDSA’s website explains that every dog in the UK should be vaccinated against the following: parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis and infectious hepatitis.
Approximately 1.5% of ticks in the UK carry the bacteria that causes #LymeDisease 😮
— PDSA (@PDSA_HQ) April 13, 2024
If #Pets are bitten by an infected tick, the bacteria multiplies around the bite. This then spreads throughout the body affecting the joints and organs 😟
Find out more: https://t.co/yuavSzLGRl pic.twitter.com/FC2KGvXONl
Your dog might also need to be vaccinated against kennel cough and/or rabies but this will depend on their lifestyle.
When should dogs be vaccinated?
Puppies need to be vaccinated but as they grow up, your dog will also need to “have regular boosters throughout their life”, the vet charity explains.
If you’re unsure when your dog needs to be vaccinated or which vaccines they need, you can ask your vet.
A primary course of vaccinations plus yearly boosters will help keep your dog fully protected.
The PDSA says that ideally, puppies should “start their vaccines at around 6-8 weeks old, and have 2 injections, 2-4 weeks apart.” However, some puppies may need three injections within their primary course.
@uktoday_ The ugliest dogs in the world have been revealed- but do you agree? #uknews #dogsoftiktok #dogbreeds #uglydog #uknewsheadlines ♬ original sound - UKToday 🇬🇧 Newsquest
After their final injection, puppies “will be fully protected” for 2-4 weeks.
The charity adds: “Protection lasts 1 year – after which they’ll need a booster.”
When dogs become adults, they’ll need booster vaccinations regularly including a leptospirosis booster every year.
Recommended reading:
- Can dogs eat apples? Blue Cross explains which fruit and veg is good for our pets
- The simple life hack for getting rid of unwanted pet smells at home for £1.35
- From polar bears to badgers to the Egyptian Goose - the strangest banned UK pets
Then, every three years, they will need “a distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis booster”. This will make sure their immunity doesn’t decrease over time.
If your dog doesn’t receive all their vaccinations, it puts them “at risk of catching infectious diseases.”
You can find out more about vaccinations via the PDSA website.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel