DEWORMING & VACCINATION-
Dogs have been the best companion since time immemorial. They will give you unconditional love and support at all times. All they ask from their human is that they play with them and take them out for walks. Give them lots of pets, scratches, and unlimited belly rubs. But apart from taking care of their mental health, the needs of their body should be looked out for. It begins with what goes inside, besides food. Our pups need protection against the notorious creatures (worms and other pathogens) that gain entry via various routes.

Our dogs love cow dung (gobar). It is like dessert for them, irresistible! No matter how delicious and nutritious food you provide them, they will party on it once they spot it. The cow dung, at times, contains larvae of worms, which upon ingestion, develop into further mature stages inside the dog’s intestine & multiply there. The dog’s belly gets occupied by these creatures and causes the tummy to get upset, besides other problems. The dog loses its appetite, decreasing its diet intake and overall body weight. It becomes dull and is no longer stays the happy and cheerful child that it was. Even if they continue to eat, they will not absorb the nutrition required by the body. Instead, it is consumed by the worms growing and multiplying inside their tummy, causing malnutrition due to hampered absorption from the blockage. Hence, in addition to feeding them right, you must ensure that the nutrients are absorbed to get reflected in their health. Therefore, always go for deworming.

Deworming can be administered in puppies that are at least 15 days old. Once started, keep repeating the process at an interval of 15 days till they get three months old. Between 3-6 months of age, the dewormer has to be given every month. Following this, after the puppies get six months old, deworm them every three months regularly.
The medicine is available as tablets, suspension, and injection, depending on the ease of administration. Dosage is decided as per the bodyweight of the pet, by a veterinary doctor.

Prevention against parasitic infections can be achieved through deworming but deadly viral diseases can be prevented only by vaccination. There is an old saying which goes like ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ But we believe that ‘Prevention is better and inexpensive than cure.‘ It saves your pet from suffering (and prevents the suffering of others by breaking the chain of transmission) and your money from the expensive treatment for your pet which was otherwise preventable from a cheap shot.

Your pet must receive two vaccines, one against rabies virus and the other one (combined) against viral diseases like canine parvovirus infection, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parainfluenza virus infection, canine distemper, and canine leptospirosis. Make sure that your pet is dewormed before getting its jab. It should be eating and pooping normally, should not have any wounds, fever, or other infections. Do not bathe your pet for four days after vaccination.

Another thing to note is that rabies and the combined vaccine should be administered separately, a preferable time gap of one week between them is advisable to ensure immunization.

The first/primary dose is followed by a booster dose one month after it, and then both have to be repeated annually as long as the pet lives.
Always ensure that the vaccination is performed by a certified Vet and a record for the shot is maintained containing details like the date of the vaccination and deworming. In addition to the next date due for the shot and the signature of the Vet. This would be authentic proof that your pup is safe.

Another beneficial aspect of vaccination (specially anti-rabies) is that no one can point fingers at you or your dog, accusing them that the pet is dangerous. In case, your dog ever bites someone or another dog while defending you or themselves, you cannot be blamed for any disease transmission by the bite since you have a record showing that the dog is prior vaccinated and dewormed, without carrying any disease.

Thus, we can clearly understand that both timely vaccination and regular deworming are vital for the health and well-being of your furry friends. Be it stray cats and dogs or your pets, they all require love and medical attention at times. Be kind to animals around you, and watch them grow healthy and happy!