Why do puppies require more frequent vaccinations than older dogs?
Nursing puppies ingest antibodies from their mother. These maternal antibodies provide early protection against infectious diseases. However, they also neutralize the immunizing agents in vaccines. Maternal antibodies naturally decline during the first three to four months of life and eventually disappear. For this reason, puppies should receive a series of vaccinations beginning at about six weeks of age. This increases the likelihood of long-term protection from vaccination as soon as maternal antibody levels have declined below protective levels. How often should my dog be vaccinated? Immunity to most infectious diseases gradually declines over time, so periodic re-vaccination is generally necessary. Frequency of vaccination is dependent on your dog’s lifestyle, age and risk of disease exposure. We can determine the appropriate vaccination interval based on your pet’s history and individual circumstances. Common Infectious Diseases of Dogs The following infectious diseases of dogs c
