At first glance, vaccination is a fairly simple and painless procedure that lasts a matter of seconds. But in fact, after vaccination, a dog requires special care. The fact is that vaccination is the forced introduction of pathogens of various diseases into the animal’s body. The body begins to fight the foreign virus, developing immunity to a particular disease.
Be sure to finish reading this material, because at the end you will find video instructions on how to care for your dog after vaccination.
Since the dog’s body is greatly weakened after vaccination, it is easily susceptible to various infections, and it will take time to regain strength. To ensure that your animal does not experience any complications after vaccination, it is important to follow a number of simple rules.
Preparing your dog for vaccination
Since vaccination is the introduction of live but weakened strains of microbes and viruses into the body in order to induce immunity to diseases, it should only be carried out on a completely healthy animal that has been treated for parasites (worms and fleas). Worms weaken the four-legged immune system. Therefore, it is important to deworm the animal 10-14 days before vaccination.
Currently, veterinarians recommend the following drugs for helminthiasis: Milbemax, Kanikvantel plus, Drontal. When using, the manufacturer's instructions should be strictly followed. To avoid addiction, it is recommended to change medications periodically.
If after helminthization the parasites have not disappeared, vaccination should be postponed and the animal should be re-treated for worms (according to the instructions for the selected drug). Otherwise, the body of an animal with a weakened immune system may simply not be able to cope with even a minor virus, and the dog may die.
How often to wash your Yorkie
A Yorkie puppy needs to be bathed quite often. Up to 5 months, bath days are carried out once every 2-4 weeks. It is not recommended to wash your Yorkshire Terrier more often - the coat will lose its protective sheath and become dry, brittle and dull. Contaminated areas can be rinsed with warm water without using detergents.
Yorkshire terrier puppies older than 5 months are bathed once every 10 days. This is enough for the fur coat to always look neat.
In exceptional cases, it is permissible to increase the frequency to 1 time per week.
On a note. Yorkies with short hair are allowed to be bathed less frequently - once a month.
Some owners have a different opinion. They believe that it is not necessary to bathe dogs, since in their natural environment animals do not need additional procedures to keep their coat clean.
However, an unwashed pet becomes a source of dirt and germs. Sebum (sebum) accumulates in the upper layers of the epidermis, causing itching, irritation and thermoregulation failures.
In addition, the Yorkshire Terrier is a decorative breed that was bred artificially. Therefore, she simply needs additional care.
Which vaccine is best to vaccinate a dog?
Today there are many polyvaccines, both imported and domestically produced. All vaccines have undergone clinical trials and are not particularly different from each other. The use of any of them promotes the development of immunity. But if you are going to travel abroad with your dog, then the requirements of, for example, the European Union for the non-commercial movement of pets limit the list of vaccines used.
If you plan to travel around the world with your dog, then imported polyvalent vaccines such as Nobivak, Eurican, Duramun are recommended.
You can read in more detail about preparing your four-legged dog for vaccination and about the vaccination schedule from birth.
So, you have properly prepared the animal for the procedure and vaccinated it. I have already written that after vaccination the animal’s immunity is very weakened, so the risk of contracting a viral disease is very high. Therefore, after vaccination, quarantine should be strictly observed.
Health
Even if the birth went smoothly, all the puppies were born without complications and the mother feels well, there is still a danger to the health of the bitch who gave birth.
Sometimes, after giving birth, a puppy remains in the dog’s uterus, not expelled due to any congenital pathology. Undeveloped fruits pose a threat to the life of the bitch, as they begin to decompose inside. In addition, the afterbirth or part of it may remain inside the uterus. The decomposition process causes inflammation in the uterus and can ultimately cause the death of the bitch. Therefore, after giving birth, even if the owner is sure that everything is normal, it is necessary to invite a veterinarian or an experienced breeder who will examine the bitch and determine whether there are fragments of the placenta or fetus left in her uterus. Estrus in dogs after giving birth will occur exactly when it should have occurred if the dog had not been mated. Pregnancy and childbirth do not delay estrus in time, but many owners notice that the dog actively licks itself after giving birth, and a brown liquid is released from its loop. However, this phenomenon has nothing to do with estrus. Lochia
(bloody discharge after childbirth) are pieces of placentas and other tissue fragments that remain inside the uterus. The uterus contracts, expelling “scraps” of organic matter from the body. Normally, suckers are released within two weeks (the first days they are brown and thick, then gradually become lighter and more transparent). If the lochia is too abundant, does not change color for a long time, or a pungent odor appears, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.
Another danger in the postpartum period is mastitis
. Often, inexperienced owners do not pay attention to hardened nipples and notice inflammation when pus is already oozing from the mammary gland, which is very dangerous not only for the health of the bitch, but also for the life of the puppies. Caring for a dog after giving birth necessarily includes regular examination of the nipples and mammary glands of the nursing bitch! Every day, use clean hands to gently feel all your nipples. If the nipple seems hard, place the puppy on it. If the nipple is inflamed, red, and the dog is clearly in pain when you touch the nipple, lubricate it with camphor oil. Sometimes a course of antibiotics is necessary to treat mastitis, but only after consulting a veterinarian. To prevent mastitis, make sure that the puppies suck milk from all nipples at the same time (if the litter is small, you will have to place the babies alternately on different nipples, since usually the puppy chooses one or two nipples and prefers to eat only from them).
Is it possible to walk a dog during quarantine?
As for adult animals, dogs can and should go for walks after vaccination. However, some restrictions must be adhered to. Quarantine restrictions for adult animals are quite conditional:
- Reduce walking time to a minimum, especially in rainy and frosty weather.
- If possible, avoid contact with other animals, especially stray dogs.
- Avoid increased stress, overwork and hypothermia.
As a rule, an adult healthy animal can lead a normal active lifestyle within a week.
As for puppies, everything is much stricter here. A puppy develops stable immunity only after 2 or 3 vaccinations (depending on the vaccination schedule) and a strict 14-day quarantine after them.
As a rule, at 3.5 months the puppy receives its last annual scheduled vaccination. And after a 14-day quarantine (after this vaccination), the puppy is already allowed to go outside for a walk. Until then, you should adhere to the following rules:
- You should not let your puppy run on the ground. If you can’t wait to show your little tail the world, then at this time you can walk the baby exclusively in your arms.
- It is imperative to protect the puppy not only from contact with other dogs, but also from contact with pets that have access to the street. For example, you have a cat living in your house that “walks by itself.” So this cat can bring an infection into the house on its paws or fur. Until you have received all the necessary vaccinations and during the quarantine period after them, try to keep the puppy and the “walking” cat in separate rooms.
- You should also minimize contact with objects that are potential carriers of infections, such as outdoor shoes.
- To prevent your puppy from becoming infected, clean your house regularly. The floor can be wiped with water and potassium permanganate.
- It is better not to take a small puppy without strong immunity to a veterinary clinic for vaccinations, where he can pick up the virus. It is advisable to do the first vaccinations at home. If this is not possible, then try to protect the baby as much as possible when visiting a veterinary clinic.
Bathing products
Bathing products are selected depending on coat type, ease of use and cost. It is better to choose one that is suitable for a particular coat. Pet stores sell both regular and dry shampoos.
The most popular dry shampoos are:
- Pet's Lab.
- Pet Head.
- Trixie and others.
Among the usual ones:
- "Celandine".
- "Doctor Zoo"
- Arava for puppies and others
But it should be noted that no matter how high-quality the shampoo chosen for your four-legged pet is, it is not recommended to use it regularly. Detergents, when used continuously, can cause itchy dandruff.
Important! The dog in the bathroom should only be washed with products intended for animals. Regular shampoo that humans use is not suitable for dogs.
Is it possible to wash a dog after vaccination?
The question of washing a dog after vaccination interests many pet owners. After all, often after a walk it is necessary not only to wash the paws, but to completely immerse the tailed “dirty one” in the bath...
However, all veterinarians strictly prohibit bathing your pet. This is again due to the fact that the four-legged immune system is greatly weakened, and any hypothermia after water procedures can cause a cold.
It is recommended to wash your dog after vaccination no earlier than 6-7 days. It’s better to wait until the quarantine is completely over and the dog has developed immunity.
Well, if the situation is completely hopeless, and your little tail has had such a “good walk” that it is not only impossible to let him on the sofa, but even scary to let him through the threshold of the apartment, then there is nowhere to go - you need to wash him!
But at the same time, you should protect your four-legged animal as much as possible from possible hypothermia:
- Wash your fluffy with warm water.
- After bathing, dry thoroughly and wrap him in a dry towel.
- To avoid drafts, close all doors to the room where the dog will be so that he can dry thoroughly.
Quarantine period and its duration
Quarantine lasts 10–20 days. Its duration depends on the course and type of vaccine. In the first 4–7 days after vaccination, moisture should not be allowed to enter the injection site. Swimming is strictly prohibited, because any hypothermia will adversely affect a weakened immune system.
If a dog is vaccinated against rabies, the pet should not be bathed for 14 days after vaccination.
How to care for your dog during quarantine:
- avoid washing;
- keep warm, quiet and calm;
- fully feed.
Possible complications after vaccination
Complications after vaccination can be local and general.
Local complications are exactly the same bump that I have already talked about. In some cases, the site where the vaccine was given may feel hot and painful to the touch.
General complications are characterized by the following signs: the dog looks lethargic, refuses to eat, and the body temperature may rise slightly. Mostly, such complications occur immediately after vaccination and disappear after a few days. If the painful condition persists, you should see a veterinarian.
There are times when some medications can cause an allergic reaction. Allergy symptoms are: increased salivation, weakness, shortness of breath, blue discoloration of the mucous membranes of the mouth. If such symptoms are present, the dog should be taken to the vet immediately.
This should not be taken lightly, because taking all necessary precautions will help your pet cope with this difficult period and keep him healthy for many years to come.
Drops on the withers - processing rules
Drops on the withers (spot on) are the most popular way to protect dogs and cats from fleas and ticks, carriers of various diseases.
Due to the ease of use and large selection of drugs, owners do not pay enough attention to the most important rules of this processing method, which leads to disastrous consequences. And there are enough subtleties that should not be neglected.
If you have a dog, first of all you need protection from ixodid ticks, carriers of piroplasmosis. But not all drops on the withers claim to have an effect. For example, Advocate and Stronghold provide high-quality drugs against many parasitic diseases, but their instructions do not contain instructions on effective protection specifically against ixodid ticks.
Under no circumstances should cats be treated with products intended for dogs; this can lead to severe poisoning and death.
Pay attention to the specifics of using drops on the withers during pregnancy and lactation. Not all medications are safe during this period. There may be restrictions due to health reasons.
There are dog breeds (collies, shelties, whippets, bobtails) for which certain medications are contraindicated. Owners of dogs of these breeds and their crosses should especially carefully read the instructions for flea and tick products.
When applying the solution, the animal’s skin must be dry and intact; in addition, in order for the drug to be fully distributed over the entire surface of the animal’s body, it must be covered with natural fatty lubricant. Therefore, treatment should be carried out no less than 2-3 days after bathing. And after treatment, the pet should be dry for 2-3 days.
The drug is applied to the skin, after first spreading the fur or raising it in the neck, withers - where the animal cannot lick it. This is especially important when treating cats that can reach almost any part of the body. They apply the drug to the scalp, behind the ears and upper neck. The solution should not spread over the wool, so you need to squeeze it out 1-2 drops at several points. Do not rub the drug or comb the animal after applying it, otherwise some of the active ingredients will remain on your hands or fur. It is important to understand that the effectiveness of the treatment depends on the amount of the drug that gets on skin .
After treatment, for a certain period you should not pet your pet or allow it near other animals or children. This period can be from several hours to several days, depending on the composition of the drops. You can clarify this information in the instructions for the drug.
Vapors from some drugs can be toxic. Therefore, the pet should be in a ventilated area for several hours after treatment. This is especially true for cats and small breeds of dogs that like to hide in houses.
For complete distribution of the drug and effective protection, time is required (usually 2-3 days). That is, treating a dog with drops on the withers immediately before a walk in the forest is pointless (of course, we are talking about the first treatment of this season).
For tick protection to be effective, intervals between treatments must be observed. As a rule, this is 3-4 weeks. Bathing your pet, especially with shampoo, can reduce the effectiveness of the drugs, then the interval between treatments should be shorter.
Not all drops on the withers can be combined with other methods of protection (collars, sprays), especially from different manufacturers. In this way, the toxic effect of the active substances can be enhanced and the likelihood of an allergic reaction increases. In addition, when some active substances interact on the skin, their effectiveness may decrease or, conversely, another substance may be produced that is toxic to the body.
It is necessary to remember or write down which drug, in what dose and when the treatment was carried out. The veterinarian may need this information if the animal becomes ill.
Watch the video recorded for owners by expert veterinarian Svetlana Belova:
Of course, when choosing drops for the withers, consider factors such as price and manufacturer. But keep in mind: there are no medications against ticks that are 100% effective. By following all processing rules, you reduce the likelihood of your pet becoming infected, but do not completely eliminate it. This is especially important for dogs, so during the period when ticks are active (spring and autumn), carefully examine your pet after each walk.
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