During its first few hours of life, your puppy receives natural immunity against most diseases from its mother's first milk, the colostrum. But eventually your pup or kitten's immune system will have to fend for itself. Vaccinations provide your pup good protection against life-threatening diseases. Here's an explanation about what vaccines you need and what ones you may want to consider, according to veterinarians at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in Urbana.

Distemper can be fatal for puppies. It involves gastrointestinal, nervous system, and respiratory complications. The vaccine for this world-wide disease, which is related to measles, was developed in the 1960s. Your puppy can get distemper via airborne distemper particles from exposure to wildlife and other distemper-infected pets. Get your pup's first vaccination for this disease and others at 9 weeks. Your veterinarian may recommend earlier vaccinations, especially if your pup did not receive colostrum. Two more shots 2 weeks apart are needed to protect your pup. The last shot should occur after 15 weeks. Yearly boosters are recommended.

Adenovirus is sometimes called dog hepatitis because it targets the liver, but it also affects the kidneys, eyes, and vasculature. Humans can live with the hepatitis viruses for a long time, but many dogs with an acute onset of Adenovirus have a very poor prognosis and could die within hours. Dogs who survive secrete Adenovirus for 6 to 9 months in their urine and could infect non-vaccinated pups. Don?t worry; dog hepatitis is not transmissible to humans and vice versa. This vaccination also occurs at the same time as distemper.

Leptospirosis The bacterium Leptospirosis--found in infected mammal's urine or urine-contaminated bodies of water--can penetrate skin or mucous membranes and invade your or your pet's bloodstream. Its effects range from diarrhea to abortion to chronic renal failure. The current vaccine can be given at the same time as distemper and adenovirus, but some pets are allergic to the lepto vaccine, so lepto is available separately.

Unfortunately, the lepto vaccine doesn't protect against all strains of leptospirosis, and it lasts only 6 to 8 months. If you have a high-risk dog--a dog that is exposed to marshy areas, ponds, or heavily irrigated pastures--your veterinarian may recommend a twice-a-year schedule. Remember, even though your dog is protected against some of the common strains of lepto via the vaccine, it could still become infected with a different form.

Parvovirus can devastate any pup, but rottweilers, Dobermans, and springer spaniels are especially susceptible. Parvo causes bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and anorexia, which is often fatal in puppies. Anywhere dogs congregate--parks, pet shows, kennels--are risk areas for parvo exposure. The parvo vaccination protocol is determined on the basis of your puppy's risk. It is often recommended that parvo vaccinations be given every 3 to 4 weeks from 3 to 20 weeks of age, depending on your pet's level of risk. Annual revaccinations are recommended.

Coronavirus Most older dogs recover from a corona virus infection, but in younger pups it may cause death. Corona virus has an incidence in kennels up to 30 percent. It often occurs at the same time as parvovirus. Discuss with your veterinarian whether the corona vaccine is necessary for your puppy. Your pup is ready for this vaccine at 6 weeks, with boosters every 2 to 3 weeks until dogs are 12 weeks of age.

Rabies Most of us associate rabies with the mad dog frothing at the mouth, eager to bite anything near it. Although this is a common presentation in countries where there is a very high population of unvaccinated stray dogs, in the United States rabies usually appears in wild animals. By law you must vaccinate your dog for rabies; your pet is ready for this shot at 12 weeks. After this first shot, you need to get periodic vaccinations, according to your state's regulations. Your veterinarian may recommend a shot that lasts one year or three years. All warm-blooded animals--including you--can get rabies. The prognosis is fatal.

Lyme If you live in an area where Lyme disease is endemic, consider this vaccine. Lyme is the most common tick-transmitted disease in the world, but with proper tick repellent the vaccine isn't always necessary. Your local veterinarian or public health authority will know if your area is endemic for Lyme disease.

Bordetella vaccines prevent a very contagious disease called kennel cough. To be effective, this vaccine needs to be given at least once a year--more frequently if your pet is boarded or habitually exposed to areas where many dogs are concentrated. If you decide to board your dog in a kennel or even in a veterinary clinic, you should consider this vaccine 7 to 10 days before exposure to the other boarding dogs.

Most puppies do not have a reaction to vaccines, but there is always a chance. The leptospirosis vaccine most commonly is the problem. Even without an allergic reaction, vaccination day is probably not the time to take Skipper on a long run because he may feel a bit sluggish.

Your local veterinarian can provide more information about vaccinations for your pet; what is given often depends on the risk of specific diseases in your geographic area, your pet's life-style, and whether your pet received its mom's first milk its first hours of life. Protect your companion animals and yourself by paying a visit to your local veterinarian and following the suggested vaccination protocol.