Dog Vaccine FAQs
Is Vaccination Really Necessary?
Yes. Vaccination can help prevent your dog from contracting potentially fatal diseases. Vaccines contain modified or killed versions of common canine diseases. When they are injected into the body, your dog's immune system will attack them. If your dog is later exposed to the disease, the immune system will remember the disease and quickly counteract it.
Should I Vaccinate for Everything?
Not necessarily. There are two classes for canine vaccines: Core and Non-Core.
Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs, regardless of breed, size or location. All dogs will see these life-threatening diseases in their lifetime. If it didn't kill them and they were lucky enough to recover, they would still suffer from side effects for the rest of their lives. The core vaccines include Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and Rabies (required by law).
Non-core vaccines are reserved for pets with unique exposure risks or needs. These include Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough, Coronavirus, Giardia and Lyme disease. If any of these diseases are prominent in your area, you may want to consider vaccinating for them. If your dog visits the groomer or kennel often, the Kennel Cough (Bordetella Bronchiseptica) vaccine may be recommended as well.
Standard 5-way vaccines offer protection against the "Core" canine diseases. Other 6, 7 and 8-way combinations add "Non-Core" disease protection against Corona or Lepto. Kennel Cough vaccines may include the Parainfluenza virus, as well. The non-core options should be added if your dog's lifestyle or area of the country exposes him to these diseases. Talk to your veterinarian for more specific recommendations concerning your dog.
Is There a Risk in Giving Vaccines?
As with human vaccination, there are always risks. However, the benefits of a healthy life certainly outweigh the risks of contracting a life-threatening disease. Your dog may have mild tiredness, a fever, soreness or a reduced appetite, but these will go away in a day or two. If they persist longer, you should talk with your veterinarian. Rare cases have reported allergic reactions and sometimes death, but the chances of this happening are very low.
If your dog has had reactions to vaccinations before, it's best to let your veterinarian give the vaccines. Let them know of the reactions, so they can make the proper adjustments and preparations.
What's the Difference Between MLV Vaccines and Killed Vaccines?
An MLV (modified-live vaccine) is a live but weakened version of a virus that is used to stimulate immune response. A killed vaccine is an inactive form of the virus, with all infectious bacteria taken out and killed.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. MLV vaccines are more effective in preparing the immune system, they last longer, and they're also faster at achieving immunity. Killed vaccines pose no risk of infecting the animal, but are less effective in providing immunity and usually require two doses.
Why Do Puppies Need a Series of Vaccinations?
Puppies receive antibodies from their mother's milk, giving temporary protection against disease. These antibodies also see vaccines as a disease and can eliminate them before they stimulate the immune system. There is a time after weaning called the "window of susceptibility," where the antibodies wear off and the puppy is at risk for disease. However, it's almost impossible to determine this time period for each puppy. By giving a series of vaccinations, you boost your puppy's protection as soon as the mother's antibodies wear off, whenever this happens.
Can I Give Vaccines to Pregnant or Nursing Dogs?
In general, treatments of any kind are not recommended for pregnant or nursing animals unless the manufacturer has tested and proven them to be safe. The same is true with vaccines. If you have questions, check with your veterinarian first.
Keep in mind that vaccinating a nursing animal will not pass the protection on to the babies. Newborns only receive the antibodies from the colostrum in the first 36 hours of nursing, and the vaccine will take a week or more to fully affect the immune system. If the mother needs vaccination, it's best to wait until after weaning, when the stress of pregnancy and nursing is removed. She will be better equipped to respond after she's had adequate time to recover.
Are Yearly Booster Shots Really Necessary?
Up until a few years ago, this was the standard recommendation. However, recent studies show increasing evidence that some vaccines last much longer than a year. Talk to your veterinarian for recommendation. One vaccine schedule is not universal for all pets, so your vet will have the best insight into what kinds of vaccines your dog should receive and when he should receive them.
9 Dog Diseases You Can Prevent
You want to keep your dogs healthy. And part of overall health is prevention.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends creating a core vaccine program for your dog. It should include vaccines that protect against some of the most highly infectious and deadly diseases. The AVMA says there is not a one-size-fits-all protocol for vaccination so it's important to work with your personal veterinarian to figure out what your pets need.
We've put together a list of some of the most devastating diseases that are preventable through vaccination:
Canine Distemper
Transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the discharges from an infected dog's eyes, nose or urine. Widespread, highly contagious and usually deadly, even among older dogs. A primary killer of puppies.
Canine Adenovirus Type 1 & 2
Hepatitis is caused by Adenovirus type-1 and attacks the liver. Transmitted through contact with objects contaminated by urine, saliva and feces. Early signs are similar to distemper. Adenovirus type-2 is a respiratory infection that may be associated with kennel cough.
Canine Parainfluenza
Mild respiratory tract infection transmitted through contact with nasal secretions. Infection is more severe in young puppies.
Canine Parvovirus
Highly resistant virus withstands extreme temperature changes and exposure to most disinfectants. May cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. A highly contagious disease and especially dangerous for puppies.
Canine Coronavirus
A highly contagious, but mild and self-limiting intestinal disease that occasionally will cause death. Causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs of all ages, but is seen most often in young puppies.
Canine Leptospirosis
Lepto is an infectious bacterial disease transmitted by contact with infected urine from rodents and other animals. Can be spread to humans as well as other animals and may cause permanent kidney damage. It's recommended to use a 4-way canine leptospirosis vaccine.
Canine Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough)
A bacterial respiratory tract infection transmitted by nasal and oral secretions. Harsh, non-productive cough may last one to three weeks. Bordetella infections can occur alone or in combination with other respiratory problems.
Canine Borreliosis (Lyme Disease)
Bacterial infection spread by a bite from an infected tick. Symptoms include fever, lethargy and muscle stiffness. Lameness can occur in more severe cases.
Rabies
The most feared disease and is almost always fatal. Attacks the brain and central nervous system. Transmitted to humans through a bite or scratch by an infected animal.
Guidance on Safer Vaccination Practices for Dog Owners
To aid dog owners in making informed decisions about vaccinations, we've compiled key recommendations and precautions. This guide aims to ensure the well-being of your pets through safer vaccination practices.
Recommended Practices
Consider Vaccination Titers: Before opting for vaccinations, discuss the possibility of measuring vaccination titers with your vet. This can be a safer alternative for adult or chronically ill pets, potentially avoiding unnecessary vaccinations.
Selective Vaccinations: Exercise caution with vaccinations like Lyme, Bordetella, and Leptospirosis, as their safety and efficacy are subject to debate.
Single Vaccination Approach: Administer one modified live canine parvo/distemper vaccination between 14 to 18 weeks of age. This approach may confer long-term immunity, often lasting for many years or even a lifetime in most dogs.
Practices to Avoid
Vaccinating Young Puppies: Avoid vaccinating puppies under 12 weeks old. Vaccines are less effective at this stage due to maternal antibodies.
Multiple Viral Vaccinations: Do not administer multiple combination viral vaccinations simultaneously to avoid overwhelming the pet's immune system.
Practices to Never Follow
Vaccinating Under Stress: Never vaccinate pets during periods of hormonal, surgical, or emotional stress, including times of surgery, dental procedures, or boarding.
Vaccinating Ill Pets: Never vaccinate pets that are showing any signs of illness, including but not limited to skin or ear allergies and digestive upsets.
Important Considerations
Risk of Over-Vaccination: Over-vaccination can be both costly and potentially harmful to your pet's long-term health.
Vaccine Reactions: Reactions to vaccines can occur immediately or as delayed hypersensitivity reactions, manifesting days, weeks, or even years later.
Potential Adverse Effects: There have been reports of autoimmune conditions, cancers, and severe neurological diseases in pets following vaccination.
Immune System Suppression: The modified live parvo/distemper vaccine may suppress the immune system for 10 to 14 days post-administration.
Environmental Shedding: Sensitive pets not even vaccinated can experience immune reactions due to environmental shedding of viral vaccine antigens.
Rabies Vaccine Reactions: Rabies vaccinations can induce the production of antibodies against the thyroid gland and other organs.
Allergic Responses: Modified live combination parvo/distemper vaccinations may heighten allergic responses to environmental allergens in recently vaccinated dogs.
Toxic Ingredients: Many commercial animal vaccines contain unhealthy levels of mercury, aluminum, and other heavy metals, posing additional risks to pet health.
This concise guide emphasizes the importance of cautious and informed vaccination decisions to safeguard the health and well-being of your canine companions.
