Golden Retriever Vaccination Controversy and Risk

Giving your dog its vaccinations is very important, but it can also be a matter of some controversy. Getting information through research can be difficult because there are a number of voices out there that have very different opinions. Vaccinations and your dog's health are very emotional things that can get out of hand. Those who are opinionated will want to do their own research to make sure they form their own opinions.

Before vaccines came along, a number of dogs, including Golden Retrievers, would die from infectious diseases. After vaccines were developed, the number of deaths from these infectious diseases went down drastically.

To get a vaccine is not controversial since their impact is pretty obvious. The thing that is controversial is when, how often and with what you should give the vaccinations.

Puppies do not have a fully developed immune system. While they are breast-feeding with their mother, they can get some of the antibodies that help them fight diseases, just like when they are in the womb. However, after they go off on their own, that benefit is reduced.

After about 5 months of age, the antibodies they received from their mother are fully gone. They are now harmful to all diseases, including potentially fatal ones. You cannot guarantee that you will ever come into contact with any of these diseases, but it pays to be safe about it. The consequences for your dog getting these diseases are so severe that most people would rather be safe than sorry.

Shots for vaccines typically start when the puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old. Their maternal antibodies are wearing off by then. The injection of vaccines will help the puppy to generate a response by producing their own antibodies.

Whether you give the animal a live or killed version of the virus is a matter of continuing research. Live viruses initiate a bigger response, but they can also carry a much higher risk. Killed vaccines are much safer, but they have a much lower response in the vaccines, which might create the need to get another vaccines to ensure the puppy is safe.

Most of the time, vets wil give a killed or modified version of the virus because it is the safest way to vaccine. These shots will continue every month or so for about four more months. Some vets recommend different opinions on this matter. Some say yearly while others say that is unnecessary.

There are several diseases that you need to protect your dog against and for this reason, there are a lot of vaccines that are combinations, designed to guard against more than one virus. Parvovirus and Leptospirosis are very common. Bordetella is also popular, which can cause Kennel Cough. Distemper and the Corona virus is also important.

Most vets will recommend a quality vaccine that ensures the shots are safe and effective. There are side effects that will occur in Golden Retrievers so the vets will have to keep an eye out for.

If the face starts to swell after 30 minutes after the shot occurs. Benadryl should be immediately applied to counteract the allergic reaction. Swelling is a sign that something could be going seriously wrong. If your dog is having trouble breathing, vomiting or other, they could be experiencing anaphylaxis. You will need to see your vet immediately if you start to see these signs.

Rabies vaccines are often required by law, but they can also be quite controversial. It can be rare for a dog to get rabies, thanks to recent medical developments, the disease is very serious for both humans and dogs, so the shot is typically required. Shots will be required at six months and then again in a few years. Sometimes, your vet will recommend these vaccines yearly.

After the first year or so of vaccines, your dog will receive less and less effective vaccinations due to its own immmune system. The immune system will build up antibodies that protect it for several years.

Many times, people argue over just how the antibodies are good for. Most say that the dog is safe for an additional six to ten years. Since the higher end of this number is the average lifespan of a Golden Retriever, many people say that you don't need to continue to get vaccines for the dog.

There is ongoing research to determine what is best for the dog. Until the matter is fully resolved, however, be sure to keep your dog up-to-date on all shots to be safe rather than lose your dog to a disease that could have been avoided with a vaccine.

         

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