Are you overvaccinating your pet?

DallasDogLife is excited to have another guest writer to present this week's News You Can Use. Denise Lyman is the owner of Paramount Communications, Inc., a medical marketing company specializing in the medical and health care industry. Thank you, Denise, for sharing your expertise!

By DENISE LYMAN / Paramount Communications, Inc.
We got our first dog, Mitchell, a year ago and just got our latest puppy, Marin, in early December. They are so much fun! As one of my friends said, it's kind of like having two perpetual toddlers in the house--FOREVER! We love our dogs and want to keep them healthy and happy. There are so many things we all need to do to keep our wonderful pets healthy, right? Today, I'm focusing on vaccinations. I don't know about you, but this is confusing--which ones to get, and how often. I can hardly remember which vaccines I've had, much less Mitchell & Marin!

The first thing to do is get a good, physical exam for your dog or cat. I spoke to veterinarian Mike Escobedo, D.V.M., of Cornerstone Animal Clinic in Dallas, (pictured here with our new baby, Marin!) who was a wealth of information. According to Dr. Escobedo, a new puppy should begin vaccinations at 6 weeks of age, and no earlier. Then, administer vaccines at 6, 9, 12 & 15 weeks until they are about 4 months old. The goal is to build up an immunity and maintain it.

Here are the guidelines & timeline:

• First set/6 weeks: Distemper, Parvo, Corona (yes, it's a vaccine, not beer being injected!)
• 9 weeks: Boosters for Distemper, Parvo, & Corona;
• 12 weeks: Boosters again for the previous 3, plus they are old enough to get their first Rabies vaccine. Also, they are old enough for the Bordatella vaccine. Bordatella is the "kennel cough" that you hear about dogs catching when they are boarded in kennels, dog parks or any scenario where they are around a lot of other animals. While not required, many pet owners choose to get Bordatella boosters if there dog is going to be around a lot of other dogs.
• 16 weeks: Distemper, Parvo Boosters

Also, a heartworm prevention regimen should begin. This medication is administered by pill or liquid and is prescribed by your pet's weight. I personally prefer giving this to my dogs in pill form rather than the liquid. I just wrap it in a piece of cheese and slyly give it to them as a "treat"! Dr. Escobedo says heartworms, which are carried by mosquitoes, are a problem in many states, including Texas. "We see a lot of cases in my practice. We often use a drug called Immidicide to treat heartworms and it is very effective," he says.

For cats, the basic core vaccines include: Feline Distemper at 6, 9, 12 & 15 weeks; Rabies at 12 weeks; Leukemia at 9 & 12 weeks.

So, what about the controversy about overvaccinating pets? Dr. Escobedo agrees that the push to do less is good, and that's what he does. "The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has done a lot of research studies. These studies have helped shape the basic core guidelines of what vaccines to provide to your pet."

About the author: Denise Lyman is CEO of Paramount Communications, Inc., a marketing & communications company specializing in the medical & health care industry. Her personal and professional interests in living a healthy lifestyle are reflected in her blog and include frequent, helpful topics about Pets & their People. Denise & her husband Pete reside in Dallas with their two Manchester Terriers, Mitchell & Marin. Please subscribe to our blog and join us on Facebook.