Vaccines - Which ones do my dogs really need?
11/25/24
Reviewed By: Dr. Tori
Vaccinating your dog is an important cornerstone in keeping your pet healthy. But vaccine recommendations can change based on your dog’s individual risks and health status. This article will give some additional information about vaccines and when to consider them for your pup.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccinations work by preparing the immune system to fight the invasion of disease causing organisms. When vaccines are administered to your pet the immune system is stimulated so that when your pet is exposed to the pathogen in the future it is prepared to fight off the infection or reduce the severity of the illness.
Core vaccines vs Non-core vaccines
Core vaccines are considered vital for health and recommended for all dogs regardless of exposure and lifestyle. For dogs the core vaccines include: rabies and canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis.
- Rabies Vaccine: Rabies is a fatal virus that causes abnormal behaviors and neurologic problems that can be transmitted to humans. Due to its public health risk this vaccine is legally mandated in many jurisdictions.
- DHPP Vaccine: This vaccine protects against canine parvovirus, distemper and canine hepatitis. The most crucial part of this vaccine is parvovirus which causes extreme illness and can be fatal especially for unvaccinated puppies.
What are antibody titers?
Antibody titers are a blood test run by your veterinarian that measures the levels of protective antibodies to a particular disease. Titers are available for rabies, distemper and parvovirus. These titer levels are useful to guide if re-vaccination is necessary for your individual pet. It is important to know that since rabies is mandated by many jurisdictions, titers are generally not recognized as a replacement for vaccination. Titers are also generally about 4-5 times the cost of an individual vaccine.
Non-core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are administered based on pet’s individual risk and include vaccines like bordetella, leptospirosis, lyme, influenza and rattlesnake vaccine. If you answer yes to the following questions these vaccines may be recommended for your pet. It is always best to speak to your veterinarian to discuss your pet’s individual needs.
- Bordetella: Does your dog frequent dog parks, grooming or boarding facilities? Bordetella also known as kennel cough is a respiratory bacteria that causes coughing which can progress to pneumonia. This is transmitted through respiratory particles and is generally required by many boarding and grooming facilities.
- Leptospirosis: Does your dog love to hike or live in an area with critters like possums, raccoons or deer? This bacteria is transmitted through the urine of wildlife and can be passed from your pet to humans. Some organizations are changing recommendations of this to be a core vaccine due to its public health implications.
- Lyme: Does your dog love to hike or live in a high tick population state like the northeast? Lyme disease is transmitted through ticks and should be considered for dogs that live or travel to areas with large populations of lyme disease ticks. Tick prevention is also crucial to prevent this disease.
- Influenza: Does your dog compete in dog shows or competitions across the country? Generally this vaccine is not carried by many pet hospitals because it is not routinely recommended. There have been rare outbreaks of flu at various dog competitions across the United States but these variants will change depending on the year making vaccination difficult.
- Rattlesnake: Does your pet hike frequently or live in an area where rattlesnakes are prevalent? This vaccine is also generally not carried by many pet hospitals - but may be recommended in areas like Colorado where the rattlesnake population is higher.
Why is my puppy getting so many vaccines?
Young animals have compromised immune systems and are highly susceptible to infectious diseases. If their mother is vaccinated they may receive some protective antibodies but that protection is short lived. The first dose of vaccine prepares your pet’s immune system then the later dose stimulates production of important protective antibodies.
To provide the best protection against disease your veterinarian will generally recommend a series of vaccines beginning around 6-8 weeks of age. Most puppies will receive vaccines every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
What to watch out for after your pet’s vaccination
It is common for dogs to experience mild vaccine reactions that can last for 24-48 hours. Similar to how you can feel after a flu shot. Common mild vaccine reaction signs include: pain at the reaction site, lethargy and lethargy. Firm swelling at the injection site can last anywhere from 1-4 weeks.
Are there risks to vaccinating my pet?
- Serious vaccine reactions: These more serious reactions typically happen within the first few hours of administering the vaccine. It is important to seek immediate care if your pet experiences facial swelling, hives, vomiting, diarrhea or difficulty breathing. These reactions are exceedingly rare but possible.
- Immunocompromised animals: If your pet is undergoing cancer treatment, is currently sick or has a condition making them immunocompromised it is best to discuss with your veterinarian if vaccines should be postponed due to their current health status.
- Dogs with autoimmune conditions: Vaccinations inherently stimulate the immune system when given to protect your pet from certain diseases. If your pet has an autoimmune condition with an abnormal immune system it may be wise to postpone or forego certain vaccines to avoid complications.
In conclusion, vaccines can be live saving for your pup. Some vaccines are recommended for all dogs but others should be a discussion based on your pet’s individual lifestyle and living conditions.