कुत्तों के टीकाकरण के बारे में आपको क्या जानना चाहिए? कुत्तों के टीकाकरण के लिए महत्वपूर्ण बातें

Article Overview: There is still much to learn about pet vaccinations. As responsible pet owners, we must be clear on the following key points.
[Domestic Vaccines]
There are not many officially approved domestic vaccines that have passed inspections by relevant veterinary and pharmaceutical authorities; most are experimental products developed by research institutions, universities, or individuals. Among these, the most well-known is the “Bestar” five-in-one vaccine, developed by the Xia Xianzhu Research Institute at the Military Supply University.
[Imported Vaccines]
Several foreign brands have already obtained national approval numbers and have official domestic distributors, including: Intervet (Netherlands), Merial (U.S.), Pfizer (U.S.), and Virac (France). However, it is important to note that not all imported vaccine brands have national approval numbers. For example, Intervet (only 2-in-1, 5-in-1, rabies, and single-dose); Merial (only 6-in-1, rabies, and single-dose); and Pfizer (only available as single-component parvovirus and 5-in-1 vaccines). Therefore, when administering vaccinations, it is important to verify whether the brand you are using has national approval and to understand which specific diseases are covered by the vaccine’s combination.
Furthermore, based on many years of clinical observation of small animals, imported combination vaccines tend to provide better protection for dogs after vaccination than domestically produced combination vaccines.
Domestic combination vaccines provide protection against canine parvovirus that is no less effective than imported products; however, imported six-in-one vaccines remain more effective against canine distemper virus. Domestic vaccines are more affordable, and high-quality options—such as the Best Dog Vaccine developed by Professor Xia Xianzhu of the Military Medical University—are available.The primary drawback of domestic vaccines lies in the excessive number of manufacturers, resulting in a mixed bag of products with inconsistent quality. In particular, the phenomenon of multiple individuals within the same organization producing the same product makes it difficult for users to discern quality. Among imported vaccines, quality is generally comparable, and market share is primarily determined by price, service, and availability. Their clinical efficacy in disease prevention satisfies users, and they are accepted by customs and veterinary quarantine authorities worldwide when dogs travel abroad with their owners. Therefore, whenever possible, it is advisable to administer imported vaccines to dogs.
When we take our dogs to get vaccinated, we often hear the vet mention how many-in-one vaccines they’re administering. What do these numbers mean?
In fact, vaccines are essentially a type of virus themselves; however, most vaccines require the virus to be passaged and replicated over 100 times to reduce its virulence. Modern vaccines contain tens of millions of viral particles, which stimulate the production of antibodies in dogs to protect them against the virus.
So, what are the most common deadly viruses affecting dogs today?
Common diseases today include canine distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza, leptospirosis, and others… Therefore, the following combination vaccines are available.
Rabies Monovalent Vaccine
Combination vaccine (puppies): Prevents canine distemper and parvovirus.
The 5-in-1 vaccine (commonly known as the 5-in-1 vaccine on the market): protects against canine distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, canine adenovirus, and canine parainfluenza.
Six-in-one vaccine: The five-in-one vaccine plus an additional component to prevent leptospirosis (not recommended for dogs under 3 months of age).
“7-in-1” vaccine: 6-in-1 vaccine + single-dose rabies vaccine.
(“Seven-link” is actually a non-technical term.)
8-in-1 Vaccine: Canine distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza, leptospirosis, coronavirus, and hemorrhagic-icteric leptospirosis (manufactured by Pfizer).
Please note! The 8-in-1 vaccine is a specialized vaccine that is more commonly found overseas; in most cases, dogs are given the 8-in-1 vaccine along with a separate rabies vaccine. This vaccine offers the most comprehensive protection, including against coronavirus. However, it has not yet been approved for use in China. Since many dogs contract coronavirus during the winter, the 8-in-1 vaccine is currently the only option available for prevention.
[Vaccination Schedule and Administration Instructions]
I believe this is the most important part, as I’ve seen many people make mistakes in this area, and there are too many conflicting opinions online. Therefore, I hope to outline some correct methods here. First, it’s important to note that vaccines produced by different manufacturers have different administration schedules and methods. The first dose is typically administered 42–45 days after birth (the number of doses varies by brand).
First dose: 42–45 days after birth (combination vaccine).
Second dose: 15–30 days later (quadrivalent, pentavalent, or hexavalent).
Third dose: Administer another 15–21 days later (5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine); a 7-in-1 vaccine (including rabies) is also an option. Dogs must be at least three months old to receive the rabies vaccine; it is recommended to administer it at five months of age.
[Frequently Asked Questions]
[Why do dogs have to be vaccinated at 42 days old? Wouldn’t it be faster and safer to do it sooner?]
In fact, after birth, puppies acquire specific immunity from their mother’s milk, which typically begins to wane after they reach 40 days of age. Vaccination should only be administered at this point. If vaccination is given too early, the vaccine will neutralize the specific immunity, rendering the effort futile and simultaneously compromising the puppy’s own natural immunity, which puts the puppy at greater risk.
[Why is the first shot supposed to be the bivalent puppy vaccine, but since only Intervet makes it and it’s often out of stock, what should I do?]
The main reason is that the 2-in-1 puppy vaccine is highly safe and causes fewer allergic reactions, which is why veterinarians in many countries administer the 2-in-1 puppy vaccine as the first dose.Another important issue is that many brands of 6-in-1 vaccines contain leptospira. If this leptospira is administered to puppies under three months of age, it will neutralize the other five components of the vaccine, resulting in the opposite of the intended effect. In this case, administering the 6-in-1 vaccine is effectively the same as administering a single-component leptospira vaccine, which is counterproductive. Therefore, puppies must not be given any combination vaccines containing leptospira before they are three months old.
【But I can only find the 6-in-1 vaccine for Vick or Melia here. What should I do in this case? Should I wait until the puppy is three months old to get the vaccine?】
In fact, most combination vaccines come in two vials: one containing a powder and the other a liquid. If the combination vaccine does not contain leptospira, the liquid is typically sterile saline solution, which is usually clear and colorless. If the combination vaccine contains leptospira, the liquid is usually a clear pink color. If a two-in-one vaccine is unavailable, a six-in-one vaccine can be administered when the puppy is 45 days old.However, remember not to administer the leptospira component; instead, replace it with approximately 1 mg of saline solution. This effectively creates a single-dose 5-in-1 vaccine. After 15–30 days, administer another 6-in-1 vaccine using the same method. Then, after another 15–21 days—when the puppy is over three months old—you can directly administer a single dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine containing leptospira.
【Does getting vaccinated mean you won’t catch diseases like distemper or parvovirus?】
In reality, no matter how effective a vaccine may be, it only has a success rate of around 90%; it does not guarantee 100% protection against these viruses. Furthermore, there are many other factors that can cause vaccines to fail, such as counterfeit vaccines. Counterfeit vaccines, if not stored at the proper temperature, can lose their effectiveness and may even be fatal if administered.
[How long does the rabies vaccine last, and do I need to get a booster shot once a year?]
According to Intervet’s website, the vaccine provides protection for three years after administration in dogs and cats. However, in accordance with China’s disease prevention regulations, dogs are required to be vaccinated annually.
[Important Information About Vaccinations]
1. Puppies must not be sick at the time of vaccination—for example, if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. If any of these symptoms are present, it is best to wait until they have recovered before administering the vaccine.
2. Often, before a puppy has received its vaccinations, many breeders will administer serum to the puppy as a short-term measure to prevent viral infections. However, after receiving the serum, you must wait 21 days before administering the vaccine. The vaccine will not be rendered ineffective by the serum.
3. Often, after a dog falls ill, environmental changes (such as being boarded at a pet store) or shifts in water quality can cause a drop in the dog’s antibody levels. At the same time, the dog is in an area where the virus is prevalent; for example, some boarding facilities or veterinary clinics may already have dogs that have contracted the virus, making them hotspots for the disease. If a dog is exposed to such an environment, the risk of infection is extremely high.
4. Incorrect administration: As mentioned above, administering the vaccine too early or improperly can also lead to its ineffectiveness.
5. Improper vaccine handling: Vaccines can only be stored within a specific temperature range; manufacturers generally recommend storing them at 8°C.Buying vaccines online is often risky. Even if they include dry ice or similar cooling agents during shipping, these can only maintain the proper temperature for 4–5 hours at most. During long-distance transport, the package may be exposed to intense sunlight or significant temperature fluctuations, making the vaccine likely unsafe by the time it reaches you. It is best to seek vaccination from a government-approved institution or a reputable hospital, as this offers greater assurance.