Vaccinations For Dogs

Now that you have had a chance to see the core and non-core vaccinations available for dogs; it is easy to see the difference.  Core vaccinations are necessary for maintaining a healthy dog.  Non-core vaccinations are needed if your dog has potential exposure to those diseases or if the disease is more prevalent in your geographical area.  To sum up; core vaccines should be given to your dog, non-core vaccinations are your choice(seek your veterinarian's advice on which of the non-core vaccines should be used for your particular situation.)  If your dog is not at risk for contracting the non-core diseases, then it really isn't necessary to use them and more people are making that choice today.  Responsible pet owners do not want to over-vaccinate their furry companions. 

Vaccinating our dogs is something that will continue to evolve.  The general rule from the past was once your puppy had received their regimen of puppy vaccinations that an annual booster was necessary.  Some individuals feel that every 3 years would be more appropriate than annually.  There are even those that feel once the puppy regimen is completed then they are protected for life.  Many feel it is not necessary to vaccinate our elderly dogs; the line of thought being their systems have plenty of antibodies for protecting them against these diseases.  Some people are opting to have a titer test done annually.  A titer test is a blood test to determine the level of immune defenses in your dog; if the level is sufficient then the thought is a vaccination is not needed.  I would advise that you do research on your own regarding vaccinations and then discuss your concerns with your veterinarian. 

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Vaccinations For Dogs

The dog rattlesnake vaccine is a non-core vaccine.  Side effects to this vaccine are considered low.  Effectiveness of this vaccine is considered high.  Puppies as young as 4 months can be given this vaccine.  Within 30 days of the initial vaccination a booster should be given.  Thereafter your dog should be vaccinated once a year approximately 30 days before the exposure season begins for rattlesnakes in your area. 

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Vaccinations For Dogs

The coronavirus is a non-core vaccine.  The side effects for coronavirus vaccine are considered low.  The effectiveness of this vaccine is considered low.  The effective immunity length of this vaccine is described as short.  Dogs with high exposure to kennels, boarding facilities, dog parks, animal shelters, and dog shows are at greater risk for coronavirus.  Coronavirus is a gastrointestinal infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea.  Most veterinarians do not recommend vaccinating for this.

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Vaccinations For Dog

Canine influenza H3N8 is a non-core vaccine.  This is a relatively new vaccine for dogs. The influenza virus causes flu-like symptoms in dogs and is very contagious.  This influenza virus was originally just a problem for equines.  Symptoms can range from very mild to development of pneumonia.  Animal shelters, kennels, dog parks, boarding facilities, and even dog shows have higher incident rates for canine influenza H3N8 because of the number of dogs in these environments.

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Vaccinations For Dogs

Giardia is a non-core vaccine.  A few years ago veterinarians were recommending dogs be vaccinated; now the oppposite is true.  Veterinarians state it does not prevent your dog from contracting giardia, nor is it beneficial in the number of cysts that are shed when your dog urinates.  Many kennels, animal shelters, boarding facilities, dog parks, and dog shows have a high frequency rate of giardia; because of the sheer number of dogs in those environments.  Standing stagnant water is supposedly a huge breeding ground for giardia. I was told by my vet that once a dog is infected with giardia; it will always be present in their system to some degree.

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Vaccinations For Dogs

Lyme disease is a non-core vaccine for dogs.  The side effects from this vaccine is moderate. The immunity length for the lyme vaccine is one year.  Lyme is a bacterial disease spread by ticks.  This bacteria can cause arthritis and other problems such as kidney disease.  This vaccine should be considered if your dog is exposed to wooded areas. 

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Vaccinations For Dogs

Leptospirosis is a non-core vaccine.  Side effects from this vaccine are considered to be high.  Up to 30% of dogs given this vaccine do not respond to it; making the effectiveness of the vaccine to be considered variable.  This is a bacterial disease that affects several systems including the kidneys and liver; it can be fatal.  There are many different strains of leptospirosis; so no vaccine exists which could protect your dogs from all the different strains.  Rodents are carriers of the leptospirosis bacteria.  If your dogs is exposed to a rodent environment where the rodents urinate and defacate; your dog is at risk.  Cattle, swine, horses, raccoons, skunks and oppossums are also carriers of the leptospirosis bacteria.  If there is standing water where these animals habitate that is also usually infected with the bacteria as well. 

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Vaccinations For Dogs

Bordetella is a non-core vaccine.  Side effects from the bordetella vaccine are considered to be low.  This vaccine can be administered by an injectable shot or by an intranasal injection.  The immunity length for this vaccine is considered short.  This vaccination is often recommended every six months to dogs that have exposure to a lot of dogs from different environments; such as boarding facilities, animal shelters, dog parks, kennels, and dog shows.  Bordetella is an infection that can cause or contribute to kennel cough.

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Vaccinations For Dogs

Parainfluenza vaccine was part of the core group for many years, but now is considered non-core.  Side effects for this vaccine are considered low.  This vaccine is recommended for use in kennels, animal shelters, dog parks, boarding facilities, and show dogs; dogs that are exposed to a lot of dogs from different environments.  Parainfluenza is a viral disease that affects the respiratory systems.  It may be involved in the development of kennel cough in dogs. 

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Vaccinations For Dogs

Parvovirus vaccine is a core vaccine; the side effects with this vaccine is low.  The parvovirus is given initially at 6 weeks of age; followed by boosters at 9 and 12 weeks.  The immunity length for this vaccine at this point is one year.  The effectiveness of the parvovirus vaccine is high.  Parvovirus is a viral disease that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea which can be fatal.  Puppies who contract this disease do not always die, however they will always have a compromised inmmune system (in other words they will not be healthy dogs). 

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