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As a loving pet parent, you'll want to provide your furry friends with the best possible care, and vaccination is a fundamental component of this commitment.
Beyond safeguarding their health, getting them vaccinated is also a social responsibility. Failure to vaccinate can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases, putting your dogs or others at risk.
This guide contains a list of dog vaccines and how they protect your fur babies.
Core Dog Vaccines
Core vaccines for dogs are those recommended for all dogs, regardless of their lifestyle or exposure risk, to protect them from highly contagious severe illnesses.
The common dog vaccines that are considered core vaccines are:
- Rabies
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Parvovirus
- Canine adenovirus (CAV-1 and CAV-2)
- Parainfluenza
Rabies vaccine
Rabies vaccination protects your fur babies against rabies, a disease that attacks the central nervous system. This vaccine is required by law in many regions as rabies is fatal if contracted.
Dogs are usually vaccinated against rabies between 12 and 16 weeks of age, one year later, and then every three years.
Distemper vaccine
To protect your dogs against the highly contagious canine distemper virus, they must receive the canine distemper vaccine.
Canine distemper virus affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Infected dogs may have a high fever, runny nose, lack of appetite, eye discharge, lethargy, thickened skin on the nose and footpads, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis.
Adenovirus vaccine
There are two types of Adenovirus (CAV-1 and CAV-2) that dogs are vaccinated for. CAV-1 is infectious canine hepatitis, which causes liver disease, and CAV-2 causes respiratory infections like kennel cough.
Vaccinate your puppies from 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by boosters every 2 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks old. Ensure your adult dogs receive a booster in one year and then every three years.
Parvovirus vaccine
Canine parvovirus (parvo) is highly contagious and causes severe gastrointestinal illness in dogs. It often leads to dehydration and death, especially in puppies.
The parvovirus vaccine is typically given in conjunction with other vaccines as a five-way(DHPP or DA2PP) vaccine. Schedule a vaccination when your puppies are six weeks old and follow up with booster shots until they are 16 weeks. Check with your veterinarian about long term protection.
Parainfluenza vaccine
The canine parainfluenza vaccine protects dogs against the pathogens causing infectious canine tracheobronchitis, known as kennel cough. Multiple pathogens, including Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine adenovirus, can cause kennel cough.
So, a combination (DHPP) vaccine given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks, followed by booster shots, is recommended for comprehensive protection.
Non-Core Dog Vaccines
Should your furry friends get non-core dog vaccinations? This will depend on their lifestyle, age, health status, and location.
The common non-core dog vaccines are:
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Canine influenza (H3N8 and H3N2)
- Bordetella
- Rattlesnake toxoid
Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine
The Bordetella vaccine protects dogs against respiratory infections. Use it if your dogs frequent areas exposed to other dogs, such as boarding kennels, dog parks, training classes, or grooming facilities, as they will then be at a higher risk of contracting kennel cough.
Even veterinary clinic waiting rooms can become a transmission zone, so we recommend in-home vaccination for your pets.
Leptospirosis vaccine
The leptospirosis vaccine is an annual vaccine. Leptospirosis is transmitted through contact with contaminated water, soil, or urine from infected animals, so it is recommended for all dogs where the bacteria are found.
Symptoms in dogs can range from mild to severe, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, stiffness, lack of appetite, and abdominal pain.
Lyme disease vaccine
Infected tick bites can be dangerous to your dogs if they haven't been vaccinated against Lyme disease. Symptoms of infection include lameness, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, and, in severe cases, kidney complications. Vaccinations begin at 10–16 weeks, followed by booster shots.
Canine influenza (H3N8 and H3N2)
Canine influenza, or "dog flu," is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. Two primary strains of canine influenza virus – H3N8 and H3N2 – spread through respiratory secretions from infected dogs.
Dogs receive two vaccine shots followed by yearly boosters.
Rattlesnake vaccine
This vaccine protects dogs from Western Diamondback Rattlesnake venom. The vaccine does not provide complete immunity to rattlesnake venom. Instead, it reduces the severity of symptoms associated with a rattlesnake bite which allows for time to get to the emergency veterinarian.
Core vs Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs
Core vaccines are essential and universally recommended for all dogs due to their protection against severe and widespread diseases. They are considered vital for a dog's basic health and safety.
On the other hand, non-core vaccines are optional and are given based on a dog's specific risk factors and environment. Their administration is tailored to the dog's lifestyle and potential disease exposure.
Vaccine Administration
Common dog vaccines are usually administered via subcutaneous (under the skin), although some are given intranasally.
Vaccine side effects may include:
- Mild discomfort or soreness at the injection site
- Lethargy for a day or so after vaccination
- Temporary loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
Contact your veterinarian if you notice any unusual reactions.
Conclusion
Common dog vaccines, combined with annual vet check-ups, help protect dogs against potentially life-threatening diseases. Ensure you follow the puppy immunization schedule to safeguard your dog's health.
If you are a busy pet parent, consider booking a mobile pet vaccination service to keep your furry friends updated on their vaccinations.
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many shots do dogs need in total?
The details of the dog vaccine list vary depending on where you live, but multiple doses are administered every 2 to 4 weeks, starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age. This series continues until the puppies are about 16 weeks old. After completing the initial puppy series, they must receive booster shots to ensure continued protection.
At what age do you stop vaccinating your dogs?
You don't! Dogs must continue to receive booster shots to maintain adequate protective immunity throughout their life. Your veterinarian will give you an appropriate dog shots list.
Do dogs really need yearly vaccinations?
Core vaccines may require regular boosters, while non-core vaccines may be administered as needed. Therefore, your veterinarian will adjust the dog vaccination schedule based on your pet's health, age, and the types of dog vaccines recommended in your area.
What dog vaccines should not be given together?
Vaccines should not be given together unless the manufacturers have tested the combination and confirmed they work effectively when given simultaneously. This is because the immune system needs to respond adequately to each vaccine and there is more of a chance of severe reactions.
For example, the rabies and Bordetella vaccines are typically given separately from the other combo shots.
