Preventative medical care is as important for dogs as it is for their owners, and vaccinations are a key component of any plan for maintaining the health of your pet.
Your dog’s age, health issues and living conditions, as well as government laws and local regulations, should all be considered when working with your veterinarian to develop a vaccination program. Puppies are highly susceptible to certain infectious diseases, and should be vaccinated as soon as they are old enough to build immunity.
Core vaccines are generally recommended for all dogs. Non-core vaccines may be needed in certain circumstances depending on the health of your dog and certain risk factors.
Below is some information about the most common canine vaccines. All vaccinations should be discussed thoroughly with your dog’s healthcare professional.
Canine Distemper: (Core)
Schedule: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years.
Cause: Contact with bodily secretions of infected animals; can be airborne.
Symptoms: Cold-like symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, nasal discharge and neurological complications.
Canine Parvovirus: (Core)
Schedule: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years.
Cause: Ingestion of feces.
Symptoms: Vomiting, high fever, bloody diarrhea, and depression.
Canine Adenovirus-1
Not Recommended; can have serious side effects.
Canine Adenovirus-2: (Core)
Schedule: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years.
Cause: Contact with infected bodily secretions; can be airborne.
Symptoms: Dry, hacking cough.
Rabies: (Core)
Schedule: Revaccinate at one year of age, then every three years.
Cause: Bodily fluids of an infected animal touch the broken skin or mucus membranes, mouth, nose or eyes of other animal or people.
Symptoms: Changes in temperament, vicious chewing and biting, bloody saliva, frothing from the mouth, paralysis of vocal cords, oblivious to pain.
Bordetella: (Non-core)
Schedule: Annually, or more depending on risk and discussion with your veterinarian.
Cause: Bacterial illness passed by coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms: Harsh cough.
Lyme Disease: (Non-core)
Schedule: Usually right before tick season. This is optional depending on exposure to high-risk areas.
Cause: Infected tick bites.
Symptoms: Swelling, fever, tiredness and depression.
Leptospirosis: (Non-core)
Schedule: Administered at 6-9 month intervals for areas that have been determined to be high-risk.
Cause: Contact with urine of infected host.
Symptoms: Fever, jaundice, joint paint, loss of appetite, excessive drinking.
Canine Coronavirus:
Not Recommended
Giardia Lamblia:
Not Recommended
Check with your Vet to determine what is appropriate for your dog.
