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Vaccinations for Your Canine Friend
Vaccinations are a critical component of your dog’s health. Just as many of us worry about getting our flu shots or if our children are up to date on their school shots; we should also be concerned about the current state of our beloved dog’s vaccinations. Vaccines can protect our canine friends from numerous illnesses and fatal diseases.
Puppies need different levels of shots than adult dogs. Like children, when they are born they share their mother’s resistance to disease; however as they age immunity wears off. Vaccines then play a role in initially boosting the ability to fight disease.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends different vaccines and schedules for dogs based on their age, breed, health status, environment, lifestyle, and travel habit. Health threats and exposures are different and can vary from city to city. A hunting dog has different protection needs than a house pet. Consulting with your veterinarian is crucial in individualizing a vaccination program that meets your dog’s needs and lifestyle.
The AAHA guideline on vaccinations recommends two general groups of vaccines: core and noncore. Core vaccines are generally recommended for all dogs and protect against diseases that are more serious or can be fatal. These diseases are found in North America and are more easily transmitted than noncore ones. The AAHA defines core vaccines as distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and rabies. Noncore vaccines are for dogs at risk due to potential exposure or lifestyle. These would include Kennel Cough, Lyme Disease and Leptospirosis. Age is also a factor; the American Veterinary Medical Association has additional recommendations. Those for an “average dog” are tabled below.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Vaccination Recommendation for the “Average Dog”
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Age |
Vaccination |
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5 weeks |
Parvovirus: for puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Check with your veterinarian. |
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6 & 9 weeks |
Combination vaccine* without leptospirosis. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern |
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12 weeks or older |
Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (age at vaccination may vary according to local law). |
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12 & 15 weeks** |
Combination vaccine
Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs. |
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Adult (boosters)§ |
Combination vaccine
Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (time interval between vaccinations may vary according to local law). |
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*A combination vaccine, often called a 5-way vaccine, usually includes adenovirus cough and hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Some combination vaccines may also include leptospirosis (7-way vaccines) and/or coronavirus. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. **Some puppies may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after 15 weeks of age. Consult with your local veterinarian.§ According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs at low risk of disease exposure may not need to be boostered yearly for most diseases. Consult with your local veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for your dog. Remember, recommendations vary depending on the age, breed, and health status of the dog, the potential of the dog to be exposed to the disease, the type of vaccine, whether the dog is used for breeding, and the geographical area where the dog lives or may visit.
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The AAHA and AVMA are studying the impact of vaccinations and their need. Research shows that newer improved vaccines are effective longer than thought; and there is a concern that immunization may not be a harmless procedure as believed. Vaccines may stimulate the immune system resulting in diseases that affect the blood, skin, joints or nervous system. Reactions though infrequent can be life threatening. Tumors have been found at vaccination sites. In response, many veterinarians are using vaccines more cautiously and are looking at the risk and benefits before making vaccination decisions.
To see if an adult dog needs further vaccination, your veterinarian may discuss drawing your dog’s blood for antibody titers. This is a test to see what your dog’s current protection level is; if the results are at the correct level then your dog may not need their booster shot that year. This is helping veterinarians vaccinate less frequently, selectively and supports the AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines.
Be aware though that just because the newer shots may cover longer does not mean that our canine companions can or should go longer between veterinarian visits. Regular wellness examinations — at least once a year — are the most important preventive measure that you can provide for your dog. Dogs age faster than humans do and things can pop up quicker than we wish. They love us and we need to continue to love them back with good health care.
References: American Animal Hospital Association Vaccine Guidelines 2006
American Veterinary Medical Association Policy on Vaccination Principles, April 2007 |
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