There have been debates if some dog breeds need to be given vaccination or not. For example, some say there are so many vaccinations that are not necessary. Some say it is compulsory. The chihuahua owner can choose whichever he or she finds solace in. Chihuahua Vaccines are very important.
Vaccination helps to improve the dog’s immunity to disease. There are regular vaccinations that the chihuahua needs to take. One good example is the rabies vaccine. A lot of dog breeds are healthy dogs but there are still susceptible to some diseases. Taking them for vaccination is a sensible decision that chihuahua owners should take. The problem you will face when your chihuahua contracts a disease is far more than the risk of vaccination. You have to know there are side effects when you give your chihuahua vaccines.
How do Vaccines work?
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Vaccines are a very important part of preventive medicine for humans and dogs too, Once injected, it excites a response by your dog’s immune system. The goal here is to reduce the risk of coming infection from the viral and/or bacterial strains for which it was sophisticated. The aim of some vaccines is to protect against a single disease, while others are here to protect against various diseases.
You may ask why a vaccine doesn’t cause damage like a disease. The answer is that when scientists develop vaccines, they kill the original pathogen following a chemical process. So it no longer causes illness. However, the virus or bacteria still has its original antigens(protein molecules) to excite the immune system of the dog. There are cases when the pathogen is too strong and as a consequence, it can cause disease to the dog.
Why Puppies Need Multiple Vaccinations
Puppies with weak immune systems that are not fully developed yet, are more easily prone to infectious diseases than adult dogs. In fact, they welcome disease-fighting antibodies from their mother’s milk. This way they are protected. However, this protection is not permanent especially when there is a transition from milk to dog food. Because the immune system becomes weak during this phase. For this reason, vaccines are so important for puppies. Because they offer protection during this early age against viral and bacterial infections.
You should put in mind that this schedule is not a standard. You can consult the following chart for a typical chihuahua’s vaccination needs adequate to age.
Schedule for vaccination
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The first dose of vaccination is administered in the sixth week. The second dose should come between the ninth and tenth weeks. Then followed by the third dose, between the twelfth and fourteenth week. Another method is to start in the sixth week, after that, every three weeks interval. While some start at the sixth week as usual and after that, every four weeks interval. You can give vaccination to your chihuahua yourself except for the vaccine for rabies. The only one who is able to administer the vaccine is the veterinarian.
How to give your chihuahua a vaccine yourself?
Giving vaccines to your chihuahua is not rocket science, you can do it. But there are some risks that the owner can face. There are times that chihuahuas go into shock when they are given vaccines. This can happen to anyone even professionals. What is important is to know how to manage the situation. Administer the vaccine under the skin. And in the case of the occurrence of Anaphylactic shock, epinephrine should be administered. But in all, it is better to seek the service of a veterinarian in case of an emergency you cannot handle.
Types of vaccine
Vaccines are of two types; Core vaccines and Non-core vaccines. The core vaccines are the ones administered to your chihuahua routinely while the non-core vaccines are administered when there is the likelihood that the chihuahua has been exposed to a disease.
Your chihuahua, if exposed to stagnant water, lakes, or streams, can be susceptible to Giardia. Most often, your dog’s immune should suppress the disease but if the immune system fails to, the result can be disturbing. What you should look for is how your chihuahua feces. It usually has a foul smell with diarrhea. All other things will be alright with the dog but your chihuahua may slump and die suddenly. You should visit a veterinarian with the dog if you notice this.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease does not affect wild and hunting dogs only. Domesticated dogs too can also have the disease. Always administer tick repellant if your chihuahua mixes with other dogs or if you take it out for a walk.
Canine distemper
If there is an epidemic of canine distemper in your neighborhood. The vaccine used to vaccinate humans against measles can be administered by your veterinarian to your chihuahua for protection. There are some antigens in the human measles virus that act against canine distemper.
Vaccine for rabies
You will need to vaccinate your chihuahua against rabies. The law requires you to vaccinate your dogs against rabies. If your chihuahua bites someone and the authority discovered that it is not vaccinated against rabies, it may get you into trouble. At three to four months, your dog will take the first vaccine against rabies. And after a year, the dog should take the second dose of the vaccine.
Side effects associated with the chihuahua vaccine
There are two types of side effects to watch out for, appearing within a few hours of vaccination and going away within 1 to 2 days. However, if the side effects are there for more than 2 days you have to take your little chihuahua to the vet.
The mild effects
- fever
- pain
- sleepiness
- Loss of appetite
- Runny nose
- Local soreness
To treat mild side effects you can give your chihuahua antihistamine diphenhydramine. The dosage varies depending on the chihuahua’s weight. But there is a rule you can follow 1 mg diphenhydramine for every 1 pound of your dog’s body weight.
The severe effects
- vomiting
- swelling
- shock.
- The swelling of the face is common or swelling of the mouth.
- Vomiting is usually within the first 10 hours after vaccination
After every vaccination, you have to keep an eye on your chihuahua for some hours. Because This is to ensure there is prompt attention in case the side effects turn into an emergency.
small dogs Have a High Risk of Reaction to Vaccines
According to some studies done by the chihuahua club of America, toy breeds including chihuahuas, Pugs, Boston terriers, Miniature Pinschers, and Dachshunds can face a high risk of adverse reaction to vaccines compared to medium and large breeds.Â
Also, they found that having additional vaccines during the same visit may increase the risk of vaccine-associated adverse events (VAEE). For this reason, Owners must avoid combination vaccines.
Titer Tests for Unnecessary Vaccination
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The aim of the titer test is to uncover the strength of a chihuahua’s natural immunity to a specific viral or bacterial disease. The test reveals levels of antibodies in the blood. For example, if your dog has a high titer count for a specific disease, it is unlikely he will catch the disease. As a consequence, there is no need for this vaccination.
The majority of canine diseases have a titer test.
Last Word
It is important to know that vaccinating your chihuahua will cost you some bucks. So prepare yourself to spend some money at the veterinarian’s office. Taking good care of your dog is imperative. Your little chi needs vaccines just like humans. Chihuahuas are susceptible to transmittable disease especially if they mix with other dogs.
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