Vaccination in dogs works in exactly the same way as in humans. Infectious diseases are caused by icroscopic organisms and viruses passed from an infected to a healthy animal. When a dog body is invaded by the virus (in th same way as an human) his immune system will try to destroy it. However the damage caused by the disease may attack the body so quickly that the immune sytem cnnot respond fast enought to avert life-threatening illness. Infections can also stop the immune system from working at all. If an animal is exposed to alife-threatening disease and survives, then immunity to that disease il naturally develop. Vaccination uses just this principal to work. The dog is exposed (via an injection from the vet) to a harmless amount of the organism stimulating hisimmune system to react. While he may be a little quieter than usual for a day or so the dog should otherwise have no ill effects. Providing his immune sstem is regularly reminded of the disease by yearly booster, the dog will now be protected against contracting the disease.

When should I vaccinate my puppy? Rabies Vaccination

Providing the mother has been vaccinated (or has developed her own immunity through surviving infection), she will pass on a temporary immunity to her puppies. Some of this immunity is transferred before birth but mainly it is passed through the first milk – or colostrum. The newly born puppy is only able to properly absorb the necessary antibodies in the first couple of days of life and so it is important that newborn puppies suckle early. This natural immunity will fade as the puppy matures and will need to be replaced by vaccination from the vet at around the age of 8-9 weeks. If the puppy is vaccinated too young its own immunity will interfere with the vaccine and prevent it working properly. If there is too long a delay before vaccination is given then you are exposing your puppy. 

Rabies

Vaccination against rabies is compulsory in many countries because of the risk of passing this horrible fatal disease to humans. Vaccination is unnecessary for dogs in those countries which are free of rabies - the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Japan - except in those animals which are going to be exported abroad. Dogs in the UK may now be vaccinated against rabies for travel to some European countries or Rabies-free islands and can return to the UK without having to go through the 6 month quarantine period. Rabies vaccination has to be repeated every 2 years to maintain protection, but more frequent vaccination may be needed to comply with travelling regulations. Contact your vet for details if you plan to travel abroad with your dog.

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