Why is a vaccine needed? “
As the saying goes, “It’s better to prevent from treating”. Vaccination can prevent high levels of morbidity and mortality in pets due to bacterial or viral infections. Dogs and cats that have been vaccinated are stronger than their immune systems than those who have not been vaccinated because they have formed specific antibodies against the diseases in the vaccine.
“What is a vaccine?”
Vaccination is an attempt to get immunity so that the body becomes immune to disease attacks caused by viruses and bacteria. Disease protection level is obtained from proper vaccination. The response of the body of dogs and cats will form immune substances after being vaccinated so that they can fight the microorganisms that infect them. Normally immune substances will decrease at a certain time or period so it needs to be done so that the levels of substances in the body of pets always increase.
Vaccines can be involved, weakened, killed or inactive, and recombinant (containing only one part of the virus that plays an important role in the disease, begin to be reproduced).
“What needs to be considered before animals are vaccinated?”
When an animal is to be vaccinated, the animal must be in a healthy condition, because vaccination is the act of inserting an expanded germ of disease with the aim of getting an immune system. Normal-normal temperature in a normal degree (between 38-39.5 ° C), good appetite, no diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, and also contracted by parasites such as worms and fleas. Animals are also not preferred to be done when weak, just on a long journey, also during pregnancy.
Before being vaccinated, dogs or cats were given anti-endoparasites (worm medicine) or ectoparasites (flea medicines) so that dogs and cats were free from intestinal worms and diseases caused by fleas (Scabies, Demodex). Vaccine absorption can be maximized if the animal is in good health.
In dogs
- Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus can cause anorexia, acute dehydration, depression, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The incidence of infection in dogs 2-3 months of age is fatal.
- Canine Distemper
Just like Parvovirus, distemper disease is easily infected in puppies under the age of 3 months. Spread through the air and contact with sputum droplets or nasal discharges of infected animals. Symptoms of this disease include loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, respiratory problems, dehydration, keratosis of the nostrils, and can be accompanied by pustules in the lower abdomen. There are distemper virus strains that can attack nerves and cause permanent nerve damage.
- Infectious Canine Hepatitis / Hepatitis Contagiosa Canis
This virus can infect the liver, caused by Canine Adenovirus Type 2. Symptoms include respiratory problems, anorexia, fever, vomiting, yellowish, and can cause accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites) due to liver damage.
- Canine Parainfluenza
Is a disease caused by a virus, which attacks the upper respiratory tract and can cause symptoms of sneezing and runny nose.
- Kennel Cough
This disease can cause symptoms such as dry cough and phlegm which is very disturbing.
- Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is zoonotic which can be transmitted to humans. This disease can be transmitted through rat urine or cockroaches. Dogs that drink water that is contaminated by bacteria can become infected with symptoms of high fever, vomiting, and yellowing in the body. This bacterium can attack the liver and kidneys.
- Rabies
The Rabies virus can also be transmitted to humans through dog bites, as well as other animals such as monkeys and cats that are positively infected. This virus attacks the central conditions system and is very deadly.
Anti-Rabies Vaccine
Giving anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) after being bitten by an animal suspected of carrying the rabies virus is the best way to avoid rabies. This vaccine serves to stimulate the rabies virus neutralizing antibodies.
The dose of vaccination after being bitten by an animal suspected of carrying the rabies virus in each person can vary. Generally, vaccines are given 4 times to people who have never been vaccinated, within a period of 21 days. Whereas for people who have received vaccines, they are only given twice in a 3 day period. Someone who will carry out high-risk activities exposed to the rabies virus, is also recommended to receive additional vaccines before undergoing these activities.
The vaccine is given by injection into the muscles around the upper arm (deltoid) or thigh.
After being given a rabies vaccine, there can be a rash, swelling, and pain in the area injected. In addition, the administration of this vaccine can also cause side effects such as:
- Fever
- Headache
- Gag
- Muscle ache
Anti Rabies Serum
Anti rabies serum (SAR) also serves to neutralize the virus in the wound while providing protection for 7-10 days before the antibodies formed from the vaccine appear. Anti rabies serum will be given to people who have high risk injuries.
The dosage of anti rabies serum for each person can be different, according to the patient’s body weight. Generally, the dose of anti-rabies serum is 20 or 40 IU / kgBB, depending on the type of serum given
Type of vaccine required
Before deciding to vaccinate your beloved dog, let’s recognize some of the mandatory vaccines for your dog.
- DP vaccine (Distemper and Parvovirus)
A vaccine for puppies that can help prevent distemper and parvovirus. Distemper itself is a disease that usually occurs in certain months and attacks of the respiratory tract and skin infections make the dog’s feet become hard.
While parvovirus can attack the digestive tract and cause diarrhea, fever, and fatigue because it refuses the ability to fight infection.
- PiBr vaccine
This type of vaccine for puppies helps to increase resistance to diseases commonly infected with respiratory tract such as bordetella or parainfluenza. The PiBr beneficial vaccine is given a compilation of dogs aged ten to twelve weeks. Although they do not cause death, both diseases can shorten the puppy’s life ratio.
- DHLPI vaccine
This type of vaccine includes protection against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Normally it will be given when the puppy receives fourteen to sixteen weeks.
- DHLPII + R vaccine
Entering the age of twenty weeks, can provide vaccination type DHLPII + R. “D” in “DHLPII + R” is approval for distemper, “H” for hepatitis, “L” for leptospirosis, and “R” is to help protect against the Rabies virus
- Rabies Vaccine
Rabies is a disease that we hear quite often in dogs, due to central nervous system attacks caused by remembering: causing headaches, hallucinations, contradictions, excessive salivation, fear of air, due to risk.
Because it is quite deadly, maintenance within a few hours of success becomes very important. Protection against this deadly disease can be done at the age of four months to six months and must be repeated every year.
“Are there any side effects after vaccination in dogs and cats?”
Side effects after vaccination are very rare. The most frequent form of mild reactions, such as pain or swelling in the injection area, fever, weakness, decreased appetite, but this only occurs for a few hours to several days, and will return to normal. If your pet’s condition worsens after vaccination, go to the nearest vet immediately.
“When is the right time to vaccinate?”
Cats and dogs naturally receive maternal antibodies from their mother’s milk colostrum, if the mother also has a good immune system. After about 2 months, the child’s antibodies will decrease so it is very susceptible to contracting the disease. Therefore vaccination is recommended as early as possible in puppies and cats starting at the age of 8-9 weeks, then repeated next 3-4 weeks. After the first booster, give it 12 months to ensure the level of protection provided by the vaccine is strong enough.
“Are there any side effects after vaccination in dogs and cats?”
Side effects after vaccination are very rare. The most frequent form of mild reactions, such as pain or swelling in the injection area, fever, weakness, decreased appetite, but this only occurs for a few hours to several days, and will return to normal. If your pet’s condition worsens after vaccination, go to the nearest vet immediately.
After that the booster frequency can then be given 1-3 years depending on the type of vaccine, disease and risk of exposure in dogs and cats. Cats and dogs that live in high populations usually require annual vaccinations because the risk of exposure to disease is higher.
“Tips after vaccination?”
-Give enough food and drinks
-Kinded in the house
– It is advisable not to be bathed for 1 week
-It is recommended not to travel far