Much like in human medicine, the importance of vaccines for animal health cannot be understated. As pet owners and lovers, we all want our four-legged family members to live the longest, healthiest life possible, and one of the best ways to ensure that is to vaccinate them against common diseases and stay up to date on their vaccination schedules.
Veterinary professionals and industry organizations consider dog vaccinations so important that every August, the pet owner and animal care communities celebrate National Pet Immunization Month, offering us a chance to address a critical opportunity for optimal wellness. While you should always discuss the pros and cons of every vaccine and your dog’s unique health needs with your veterinarian, general vaccination recommendations are a great place to start as the most commonly recommended vaccines are used because they offer the best protection by helping your dog's immune system fight diseases that could otherwise impact their health and longevity.
To help you better understand what vaccinations are necessary or recommended for your dog, we’re sharing the core and non-core vaccines recommended for dogs so you can start the vaccination discussion with your veterinarian with confidence. Let’s get started.
What Are the Core Vaccines Dogs?
Core vaccines for dogs are those that are recommended for all dogs, regardless of their lifestyle or geographic location, due to the severity and widespread nature of the diseases they protect against. The recommended core vaccines for dogs are vital to their health and prevent common diseases that can cause widespread health issues or even be transferred to humans. Some core vaccines, such as rabies, are mandated by law, and individual municipalities must receive proof of vaccination to license a dog.
Core vaccines include:
Distemper
The canine distemper vaccine protects against distemper, a debilitating virus affecting the lymphoid tissues and the dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Early symptoms of distemper include fever, loss of appetite, discharge from the nose and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, with additional symptoms of twitching, seizures, blindness, and paralysis appearing as it progresses. Distemper spreads through aerosol droplets, bodily fluids, and feces. Puppies should have an initial vaccine series, then a booster after one year, followed by boosters every three years for the duration of the dog’s life.
The distemper vaccine is often abbreviated as DA2PP because it protects against four diseases — Distemper (D), Hepatitis (A2), Parainfluenza (P), and Parvovirus (P).
Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is highly contagious, with unvaccinated dogs and puppies under four months old at the most significant risk. Parvovirus affects a dog's intestinal tract, leading to lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and hypothermia. It's spread from dog-to-dog contact and contaminated surfaces. The parvovirus vaccine is given to puppies at 8-16 weeks, followed by boosters at one year and then every three years.
Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis, caused by an adenovirus, is a highly contagious virus that can lead to liver inflammation and impact multiple organs, including the lungs, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, and central nervous system. It spreads through exposure to the bodily fluids of infected animals, such as urine, saliva, and feces. Symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, eye redness, difficulty breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite, bruising, yellowing skin, and seizures. Puppies should receive their first hepatitis vaccination at 6-8 weeks old, followed by booster vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until they are four months old. Adult dogs need a booster at one year and then every three years.
Rabies
Rabies is a serious and fatal virus that attacks the central nervous system, leading to headaches, hallucinations, excessive drooling, and paralysis. Many U.S. states require rabies vaccinations due to the severity and transmission of the disease. Puppies should be vaccinated against rabies at approximately 14-16 weeks, then again at one year, and re-vaccinated every 1-3 years for life.
What Are the Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs?
Non-core vaccines for dogs are those that are recommended based on the dog's individual risk factors, such as their geographic location, lifestyle, and exposure to specific pathogens. These vaccines are not necessary for all dogs but can be important for those at high risk for exposure depending on their health and lifestyle factors. For example, if they are often around other dogs, attend dog daycare, or you board them frequently, your veterinarian will recommend specific non-core vaccines to protect your dog against transmissible diseases from other dogs.
Non-core vaccines include:
- Bordetella – Administered every 6-12 months based on your dog's exposure risk to kennel cough. This dog vaccine may be recommended if your dog is frequently around other dogs or is boarded or left at a doggy daycare.
- Borrelia Burgdorferi – An option for dogs eight weeks of age and older to protect against Lyme disease. A veterinarian may recommend vaccination against Borrelia Burgdorferi if you live in an area with a high tick population or warm weather that is conducive to tick survival year round.
- Leptospira Bacteria – Administered by 12 weeks, with a booster 2-4 weeks later and annually after that to protect against Leptospirosis bacterial disease.
- Canine Influenza – Administered around 6 months with a booster in 2 weeks and then annually after that to protect against dog flu
For first-time puppy owners, the American Kennel Club provides a detailed schedule of vaccinations and the protection each one offers. While the vaccination schedule might seem inconvenient or excessive, these immunizations provide lasting protection against diseases that could lead to unnecessary suffering for your dog. Be sure to also check with your state regarding required vaccinations for your dog.
Although National Pet Immunization Month is an excellent opportunity to remind you of the importance of pet vaccinations, there's never a wrong time to discuss this critical preventive care component with your veterinarian.
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