Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent common diseases in dogs. This valuable preventative measure has effectively eradicated many dangerous diseases, helping to keep pets safe. With recent advances in vaccination research, the typical dog vaccination schedule has evolved. Understanding the diseases your dog is vaccinated against, and knowing how often vaccinations are required, is vital to ensure your pet’s long-term health.
The typical dog vaccination schedule consists of three main components: the distemper/parvo vaccine, the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine, and the rabies vaccine.
Understanding the Core Dog Vaccines
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus is an extremely common and contagious disease that can affect any dog, with unvaccinated dogs and puppies being at the highest risk. The virus attacks the lining of the intestinal tract, leading to severe damage. Profuse, watery or bloody diarrhea and repeated vomiting are the most common symptoms. Without treatment, these symptoms can quickly lead to severe fluid loss, dehydration, shock, and even death. Parvo is almost always fatal if left untreated, and treatment can be prolonged and expensive, without a guarantee of recovery. Thankfully, proper vaccination during puppyhood is extremely effective in preventing this disease.
Another dangerous and potentially deadly virus that can affect dogs is the Canine Distemper virus. This devastating disease affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, and has no known cure. Puppies are most susceptible to distemper, but any unvaccinated dog can develop the disease at any age. Distemper spreads through the air, as well as through exposure to affected feces and other bodily fluids. Dogs with distemper will first exhibit a high fever, which resolves in 2-3 days. The virus continues to attack during this period, settling into multiple body systems. The fever may return a few days later, along with profuse, thick green nasal and ocular discharge. Dogs will stop eating and become depressed. Distemper affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing vomiting and diarrhea, and it can eventually settle in the brain, causing brain damage and seizures. There is no cure for distemper, and even dogs that appear to recover from the initial stages of infection can develop neurological signs weeks or even months later.
Vaccination for Parvo and Distemper are the cornerstone of any puppy’s vaccination protocol. Puppies should begin receiving vaccinations at 6 weeks, with booster vaccines every 2-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks. This vaccine is then given again at 1 year of age, and every year (or every three years, if your veterinarian offers a 3-year vaccine) thereafter.
Kennel Cough
Bordetella, or kennel cough, is commonly known due to its high frequency of occurrence in facilities that house dogs, such as kennels and shelters. However, this name can be misleading, as any dog can develop kennel cough, even without ever having set foot in a kennel or shelter. Kennel cough is an irritating condition that causes inflammation of the trachea, leading to a characteristic “honking” cough that can sound very distressing. Thankfully, it is most often relatively harmless. Many bouts of kennel cough run their course without requiring medical intervention, but in some cases, it can become more serious and develop into a more severe infection, such as pneumonia. For this reason, the kennel cough vaccine is recommended for all dogs, and virtually all places that take in dogs for boarding, grooming, etc., require dogs to be current on their bordetella vaccine before accepting them into their facility.
Puppies should receive their first vaccine at 8-12 weeks of age, followed by a booster 4 weeks later. After that, the vaccine should be boostered every 6-12 months, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Like the flu, there are thousands of different strains of kennel cough, and while the vaccine helps to prevent the most common strains, it does not guarantee that your dog will not develop kennel cough, even if vaccinated.
The kennel cough vaccine is often made up of the two most common causes: parainfluenza virus and bordetella bacteria. The intranasal vaccine (administered as drops in the nose rather than an injectable vaccine) has proven to be the most effective way to minimize your pet’s chances of developing kennel cough and reduce the severity of symptoms if your dog does contract the disease.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that has been very effectively controlled through strong vaccination programs. In many parts of the country, rabies vaccination is required by law. This virus affects the brain and is most commonly spread from wild animals to domestic animals and humans through a bite from an infected animal. In unvaccinated people and animals, unless treated within hours of a bite from an infected animal, the virus is always fatal.
Dogs should receive their first Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age, with a booster given at 1 year of age. After that, boosters should be given every 1-3 years, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation and the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.
Recent Advances in Vaccination Protocols
Vaccines are an incredibly valuable tool for preventing some of the most common diseases in dogs, but they are not without their risks. In recent years, advances in vaccine technology and our understanding of the immune system have led to a new three-year protocol for some vaccines, such as distemper and parvo. Instead of these vaccines being administered yearly, as was once common, they can now be given every three years after the initial booster at 1 year of age. The goal of this change is to reduce the potential health risks associated with over-vaccination, such as vaccine reactions and the development of autoimmune diseases.
Vaccine blood titers are another way to assess your pet’s immunity to disease and determine the need for vaccines. These simple blood tests can be taken instead of administering vaccines, as they measure the levels of antibodies in your dog’s system. If the antibody levels are adequate, no vaccination may be necessary that year.
There is no doubt that vaccinations are one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to prevent serious illnesses in dogs. Adhering to the appropriate vaccination schedule will help ensure that your puppy or dog continues to lead a long, healthy life. If you have any questions about what vaccines your pet needs or when they should be administered, contact your veterinarian to ensure your dog is protected.
