Vaccinations are essential

Vaccinating your puppy against life-threatening diseases is essential and is one of the most important things you can do to keep him healthy.

The immunity that a puppy has at birth only lasts for a few weeks. It is then time to begin vaccination. The first vaccination is usually given in three doses, the first dose at around the age of 6-8 weeks and the second and third doses at about 2-4 weekly intervals.

Your pet should be protected against those diseases which are most common, highly contagious and which cause serious illness or death. Such diseases include Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough). Rabies is essential. Other vaccinations may be recommended, based on your veterinary surgeon's evaluation of the risks posed by such factors as your dog's particular heredity, environment and lifestyle.

Above all, follow the vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinary surgeon - if there is too long an interval between vaccinations, your dog may no longer be fully protected

To maintain protection, annual booster shots must be given from then on, though some are only required every other year. Your vet will advise you on this

The following diseases may sound scary, but if you make sure your puppy gets all the right vaccinations, you won't have to ever worry about them.

Canine distemper

Symptoms include coughing, diarrhoea, high temperature, vomiting, sore eyes and a runny nose. Sometimes the nose and foot pads can become hard and cracked and, in severe cases there can be fits, muscle spasms or paralysis. The disease can be fatal.

Canine Parvovirus

This is a highly contagious disease characterised by bloody diarrhoea. Other symptoms include vomiting, lack of energy, depression and a high temperature. Puppies under 6 months old are particularly susceptible to the Parvo virus which can be fatal.

Canine hepatitis

Symptoms of this include coughing, abdominal pain, seizures, vomiting and diarrhoea. Eyes may appear blueish (hepatitis blue eye). Puppies under twelve months old are most susceptible to this serious and potentially life threatening liver condition.

Leptospirosis

This is a bacterial disease that can be picked up from contact with the urine of infected animals. One form of Lepto can be picked up from the urine of other dogs, another, also known as Weil's disease, is picked up from rat urine. Symptoms include depression, high temperature, severe thirst, lethargy, increased urination, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and jaundice. If your puppy becomes jaundiced you may notice that his skin is yellow – this also be identified in the white of his eyes or inside his cheek. In severe cases, this disease can prove fatal within a few hours. This form of Lepto can be transmitted to humans too.

Canine parainfluenza virus

This is a highly infectious disease that causes kennel cough. This is a dry, hacking cough that can be so severe that it may sound as if the dog is choking