Vaccinations for Dogs
Up to date vaccines are required for all of our Boarding, Baths, and Grooming animals that come to our clinic, unless our doctors believe that it would be putting the animal at risk. This not only protects your pet but other’s pets as well. Some may think once their dog is vaccinated they can’t catch Parvo or Kennel Cough, but the virus has different strains and reinvents itself. So unfortunately, dogs definitely can still catch the virus.
Some vaccinations that we offer include…
Canine Bordetella Bronchiseptica Oral Vaccine– Prevents kennel cough (bronchitis) and is given at 9, 12, and 15 weeks, then boostered every 6 months
Canine Distemper Adenovirus Type 2 Parainfluenza Parvovirus Vaccine– Given at 6 weeks old and is the booster received every 6 months in-between the yearly adult combo vaccine
Canine Distemper Adenovirus Type 2 Coronavirus Parainfluenza Parvovirus Vaccine– Given at 9 weeks old
Canine Distemper Adenovirus Type 2 Coronavirus Parainfluenza Parvovirus Vaccine plus Leptospira Canicola Grippotyphosa Icterohaemorrhagiae Pomona Bacterin– Given at 12 weeks old
Canine Distemper Adenovirus Type 2 Parainfluenza Parvovirus Vaccine plus Leptospira Canicola Grippotyphosa Icterohaemorrhagiae Pomona Bacterin- Given at 15 weeks then given once yearly as our adult combo vaccine
Rabies Vaccine for Feline and Canines– Given at 15 weeks and then will need to be given a year later, after the first year booster, the rabies vaccine will only need to be given once every 3 years
Crotalus Atrox Toxoid– Also known as the rattlesnake vaccine, it works by helping to defend dogs against some of the dangerous effects of a rattlesnake bite, meaning it gives you more time and better odds of your dog fully recovering. The vaccine provides protection against bites from all rattlesnake species, with the exception of the Eastern Diamondback. It also provides cross protection against copperhead bites. The earliest age we can administer the vaccine is 6 months old, once the initial dose is given then it will need to be boostered in 21 days, then once yearly.
Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacterin Duramune Lyme– Lyme borreliosis, a tick‐borne disease, is endemic to some parts of North America and is an emerging disease in other parts of the world. Vaccination is an increasingly common, although controversial, method used in the prevention of Lyme disease in dogs. The earliest age we can administer the vaccine is 6 months old, once the initial dose is given then it will need to be boostered in 21 days, then once yearly.
Is vaccinating my pet a risk to his or her health?
Vaccination against disease is a medical procedure and, like all medical procedures, carries some inherent risk. As in any medical procedure or decision, the benefits must be balanced against the risks. Veterinarians recommend that no needless risks should be taken and that the best way to accomplish that is to reduce the number and frequency of administration of unnecessary vaccines. As is the case with any medical decision, you and our veterinarian should make vaccination decisions after considering your dog’s age, lifestyle, and potential exposure to infectious diseases.
What possible risks are associated with vaccination?
Vaccine reactions, of all types, are infrequent. In general, most vaccine reactions and side effects (such as local pain and swelling) are self-limiting. Allergic reactions are less common, but if untreated can be fatal. These can occur soon after vaccination. If you see such a reaction, please contact our veterinarian as soon as possible. In a small number of patients, vaccines can stimulate the patient’s immune system against his or her own tissues, resulting in diseases that affect the blood, skin, joints or nervous system. Again, such reactions are infrequent but can be life threatening. There is a possible complication of a tumor developing at the vaccination site in a small number of pets, most frequently cats. Please contact our veterinarian for more information.
How do I know which vaccines my pet needs?
There are two general groups of vaccines to consider: core and noncore vaccines. Core vaccines are generally recommended for all dogs and protect against diseases that are more serious or potentially fatal. These diseases are found in all areas of North America and are more easily transmitted than noncore diseases. The AAHA guidelines define the following as core vaccines: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and rabies. Noncore vaccines are those reserved for patients at specific risk for infection due to exposure or lifestyle. The AAHA guidelines classify kennel cough, Lyme disease and leptospirosis vaccines within the noncore group.
Can my veterinarian conduct a test to see if my dog needs to be vaccinated?
Tests that measure protective antibody levels for diseases are called titers. In recent years reliable titer tests for some diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus have become more readily available and economical. Veterinarians may recommend using these titer tests in some cases to determine whether or not vaccinations are needed. We can provide you with more information on titer testing.
How often should my dog be vaccinated?
Puppies should begin their vaccination routine at the age of 6 weeks old and continue their puppy series every three weeks until 15 weeks of age. This will ensure your dog completes the initial series of core vaccines administered at the puppy stage. Following these puppy vaccines, the AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines recommend that core vaccines be administered once every year. States and municipalities govern how often rabies boosters are administered. The first rabies vaccination is given at 15 weeks of age and is good for one year. Following the initial rabies vaccination, the pet can receive a three-year-effective rabies booster. Kennel cough vaccine may be administered every six months in a dog repeatedly being kenneled or exposed to groups of dogs at grooming salons or dog shows. A parvovirus booster is also recommended every 6 months in young dogs.
Vaccinations are a critical component to preventive care for your dog. Thanks to the development of vaccines, dogs have been protected from numerous disease threats, including rabies, distemper, hepatitis and several others. Some of these diseases can be passed from dogs to people — so canine vaccinations have protected human health as well. Recently, studies have shown that vaccines protect dogs for longer than previously believed. There have also been improvements in the type of vaccines produced. In addition, there is increased awareness and concern that vaccination is not as harmless a procedure as once thought. These factors have led to a growing number of veterinarians who recommend reduced frequency of vaccinations while at the same time tailoring vaccine recommendations to specific risk situations.
To assist veterinarians with making vaccine recommendations for dogs, the American Animal Hospital Association has issued a set of canine vaccine guidelines. Developed by a group of infectious disease experts, immunologists, researchers and practicing veterinarians, these guidelines were first released in 2003 and revised with new information in 2006. One of AAHA’s key recommendations is that all dogs are different — and thus vaccine decisions should be made on an individual basis for each dog. Issues to consider include the age, breed, health status, environment, lifestyle, and travel habits of the dog. Health threats vary from city to city and even in various sections of cities. You can work with our veterinarian to tailor an immunization program that best protects your dog based on his risk and lifestyle factors.
