Many people believe that when they purchase a dog all it needs is food and water and that vaccinations aren't that important. Almost all pets require vaccinations that are crucial to their well-being. The price of keeping pets healthy is quite high, which is why most owners refuse to have their pets vaccinated, but the cost of vaccinations is nowhere near as high as the cost of treatment needed to get a pet well sick. There are five vaccinations. dogs need annually, Rabies, DAPP, Lyme, Bordetella and Lepto. “During vaccination, modified bacteria, parasites or viruses are administered to your pet via injection or intranasally (through the nose). “Vaccination triggers an immune response in your pet's body to protect him from a specific disease.” According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, these vaccinations are usually "scheduled about three to four weeks apart, with the final series of vaccinations administered when they are 12 to 16 weeks old." On the "Dog Time" website, it discusses how "some pet owners fear that vaccinating their dogs also poses health risks. While any medical procedure, including vaccinations, carries some degree of risk, the risk is generally much greater if your dog is not vaccinated at all. It is healthier for your pet and cheaper for you to prevent, rather than cure. All these vaccinations are given by injection other than the Bordetella vaccination contracting the deadly rabies virus. Rabies is a “contagious viral disease of dogs and other mammals that causes madness and seizures, transmitted through saliva and is very deadly.” Rabies can “incubate” for up to 2-8 weeks of the middle of the paper ...... CitedWebMD. “Rabies in dogs.” Np, nd Web. “Differences between canine distemper and parvo.” VetInfo canines: an in-depth look". Information and questions about pet health and nutrition. Np, nd Web. April 21, 2014 "Rabies in Dogs: Rabies Information for Dog Owners." About.com Dogs. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014 "Rabies in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccination." Rabies in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and vaccination. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. “Healthy Dogs.” Rabies in dogs: vaccination, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Np, nd Web. April 17, 2014. Lyme Disease Dog Symptoms and Canine Treatment. “Lyme Disease Dog Symptoms and Canine Treatment. Np, nd Web. April 22, 2014.” How to identify, treat and prevent leptospirosis in dogs. " About.com Veterinary Medicine .NP, nd Web. April 22. 2014.