Dog Vaccinations

Vaccinating your dog is crucial to keeping your pet healthy.  There are a couple or vaccinations, including rabies, that may be required by law in your area, so be sure to ask a veterinarian about any legal issues regarding this issue.  Most boarders, groomers, and day cares will require a number of vaccinations before allowing your dog to participate.

·   Distemper/Parvo
Both of these diseases are very contagious and could be fatal to an unvaccinated animal.

·   Rabies
Rabies is a disease that both humans and dogs can contract, and vaccinations are required by law.  Rabies certificates or tags are typically required for travel as well.  There are currently one-year and three-year vaccinations available.

·   Bordetella (Kennel Cough) & Parainfluenza
This disease can lead to pneumonia.
Symptoms include dry, hacking cough, runny nose, and watery eyes.

·   Corona Virus
This intestinal disease is more severe in puppies and is exceedingly contagious.

·   Hepatitis (Adenovirus Type 2)
This is a disease that affects the liver and other body organs and is caused by canine adenovirus type 1, or CAV-1.  It is transmitted by direct contact with an infected dog.
Symptoms include sore throat, coughing, and sometimes pneumonia.

·   Lyme Disease (Borreliosis)
Typically carried by ticks, this bacterial infection can cause depression, muscle stiffness, lack of appetite, lethargy, and fever. 

Puppy Vaccination Schedules

Younger puppies’ immune systems can not retain the affects of vaccinations very long, so they require booster shots until they are one year old.  The following schedule is what most clinics suggest, but you should always consult with your veterinarian before having any vaccinations administered to your dog.

Adult Dog Vaccinations

Once a dog becomes one year old, most of the vaccinations move to an annual schedule.  Included in the annual treatment is the DHLPPC and Bordetella.  The Lyme vaccination should be added if deemed necessary by your veterinarian.  Rabies will be legally required every year, or every three years, depending on the laws in your area and the availability of the three year vaccination.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is a very serious and possibly fatal condition.  It is caused by parasitic roundworms in the arteries of the lungs and hearts.  There are many preventative measures against heartworm infection including tablets, chewables, and topical ointments.  When administered regularly, these methods are very effective.  For a long time heartworm prevention was considered seasonal, requiring monthly applications only in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  The American Heartworm Society is now recommending year-round protection, even in seasonal areas.  Before starting any heartworm prevention, the dog should be tested for infection.

Records

Many boarding houses, dog parks, and groomers require proof of vaccination for several of the more common diseases, so it is very important to keep detailed records of every vaccination.  You should keep all of the original paperwork from your veterinarian or clinic as well as any test results.  Most states require a Rabies tag to be worn on the collar of the dog at all times while it is outdoors. 

Treatment Options

Vaccinations and tests can be performed at any veterinary clinic, but there may be other options available to you in your area.  Most low cost spay and neuter clinics now offer inexpensive vaccinations, so check your local listings to see if one is near you.  A lot of dog fairs/events have low cost vaccinations available, too, so keep an eye on the events in your region.

Conclusion

There are many common diseases and infections that can affect your dog, especially if he socializes with other animals.  Rabies and other vaccinations may be legally required in your state, and most dog groomers, clinics, parks, and boarding houses will ask for proof of treatment before accepting your dog.  Vaccination treatments are vital to keeping your dog healthy and active.