The quintuple vaccine for dogs is gaining more and more popularity, however, do you wonder what it is for or what it contains? This name tells us that in its composition we can find five components that will act against another five diseases that can affect dogs, even with fatal consequences. We remind you of the importance of establishing and maintaining a correct vaccination schedule
For all these reasons, in this article on our site we will talk in detail about the quintuple vaccine for dogs, the diseases it protects against or the reactions that may occur. Don't forget that the vet is the only professional who can advise us on this.
Vaccines for dogs
To begin we must explain what are vaccines for dogs They are pharmacological preparations of variable composition that are used to stimulate the immune system. Each of them presents, in a controlled way, a disease to the dog, which allows the animal to create specific defenses against it.
Thus, if at any time you come into contact with this pathology naturally, your body will immediately be able to eliminate this pathogen or, at least, the disease will be milder. Diseases for which there are vaccines are often very serious and contagiousIf they contact the unvaccinated dog, it is possible that it will not have time to generate the necessary defenses, increasing the risk of death. That is why it is so important to vaccinate.
The dog's first vaccination is given between 6-8 weeks of agebecause the puppy will be protected by defenses earlier that his mother passed on to him. Depending on the immune status of the bitch and the circumstances of the puppy, the veterinarian will decide the date of this first injection. But there are more than one vaccines for puppies, since it is usual to need to repeat the doses to achieve maximum protection. Thus, these are usually placed, as a guide, at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of life
Vaccines may contain fragments of viruses, inactivated viruses or be recombinant. They are also classified according to the number of diseases against which they protect. For example, there are monovalent and bivalent vaccines, which cover one or two pathologies, but trivalent vaccines for dogs are more common, against three diseases, tetravalent, for four, or polyvalent, the most complete, acting against more than four pathogens. The polyvalent vaccine for dogs is usually used in revaccinations, which are usually annual.
Below we will explain in more detail an example of these vaccines: the quintuple vaccine for dogs of Virbac.
What does the quintuple vaccine for dogs contain?
This vaccine, known by the acronym DHPPL, will act against five diseases, which are the following:
- Distemper
- Infectious Hepatitis
- Parvovirus
- Parainfluenza
- Leptospirosis
What is the quintuple vaccine for dogs for?
The quintuple vaccine will stimulate the immune system so that it can react quickly if the dog contracts any of the diseases against which prevents. Therefore, the main function of vaccines is not to cure diseases, but to prevent their appearance. Like any drug, it is impossible for them to achieve total protection, but they have shown high efficacy. To guarantee its operation we must know that its effect does not last the whole life of the dog, that is why it is necessary to revaccinate periodically and they must only be administered by veterinarians.
How is the quintuple vaccine for dogs given?
This vaccine is administered by subcutaneous injection, that is, under the skin, at the area of the withers. Vaccination is a veterinary act that can only be carried out by this professional and always after previously examining the dog, since situations such as internal parasites, pregnancies, some treatments or diseases are reasons to postpone inoculation.
How much does the quintuple vaccine for dogs cost?
Vaccines can only be purchased, handled and administered by veterinarians. Therefore, the prices of the vaccines are the determined by the Veterinary College of each area and usually include the consultation and prior inspection of the animal.
This price is going to be variable but we can talk about 30-40 euros An affordable amount if we take into account that, except in the puppy's first few weeks, only one or two are laid a year. And very cheap if we compare it with the cost of treating, with no guarantee of success, the diseases it prevents.
As individuals, we cannot buy vaccines for dogs since, we insist, these can only be handled by veterinarians. A bad storage, handling or application without a previous review of the dog mean that the possible savings become, at least, in ineffectiveness of the vaccine, that is, our dog would be completely unprotected.
Vaccine Reactions
Reactions or side effects to the quintuple vaccine for dogs or any other are usually limited to a slight discomfort during the same day of the application or a small swelling at the point of inoculation. Only in very rare cases could an allergic reaction be triggered, which would be potentially serious.
Are vaccinations mandatory?
The mandatory quintuple vaccine for dogs or any other will depend on the legislation of the place where we live. Thus, the rabies vaccine in dogs is mandatory in almost all of Spain, but not in autonomous communities such as Galicia. The same happens with vaccines that in veterinary science are called essential, such as distemper or parvovirus, mandatory in some regions, optional in many.
Therefore, we must consult our veterinarian to find out which vaccines are mandatory in our place of residence and how often to administer them. If we travel with our dog or we move, we will also have to inform ourselves of the current legislation in our destination. But regardless of the legislation, the veterinarian, adapting to the vital circumstances of our dog, will be able to recommend the vaccines that he considers essential and conform the most appropriate schedule to protect him effectively.
