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Canine Vaccinations

Is it important to vaccinate my dog?

Yes. There are several preventable, life-threatening diseases dogs can acquire. These diseases are usually preventable with the use of routine vaccinations. There are core vaccines that are recommended for most dogs. In addition, there are other vaccines that are offered to dogs at risk for diseases based upon your pet’s habits and the incidence of diseases in our area.

The core vaccines for dogs include:

Rabies vaccine – protects against the rabies virus, which produces a life-threatening disease that is transmissible to humans that affects the muscles, nervous tissues, and brain. Rabies is fatal and is spread by the saliva from affected animals, including wildlife such as raccoons. Rabies vaccinations are required by law.
Bordetella vaccine – protects against bacteria that are part of the disease complex commonly referred to as “kennel cough.” This disease results in a respiratory disease with a severe cough that may progress to pneumonia. Infected dogs transmit this via coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Many kennels require this vaccine before permitting you to board your dog.
DHPP vaccine – a combination vaccine that protects against the following diseases:
Distemper – a virus that is nearly always fatal and affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems;
hepatitis – a virus that may permanently affect the function of the liver and kidneys;
Parainfluenza – causes respiratory disease and is part of the “kennel cough” complex;
Parvovirus – a virus that has a high mortality rate in young animals, is highly transmissible between dogs, and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea.

An additional recommended vaccine for dogs in this area includes:

Lyme vaccine – protects against a tick-transmitted bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, which is an illness that affects the joints and may cause sudden lameness, arthritis, and lethargy. This disease can also cause heart damage and kidney failure.

What is my dog’s vaccination schedule?

Your nurse and the Doctor will set up your pet’s vaccination schedule based on how old he/she is at the first visit. Your pet’s vaccine schedule will include the core and recommended vaccinations with their boosters and any necessary diagnostic tests (such as fecal examinations). Booster vaccinations are scheduled at three-week intervals from the initial vaccine until the series has been completed.

Why does my dog need to come back for so many vaccines?

Re-vaccination is important in both young and adult animals. In young animals, the immunity gained at birth from nursing declines over the first several weeks of life. The first vaccination triggers an immune response and protects your pet at early age, while booster vaccines enhance the immune response to make sure your pet is protected later on. In adult animals, booster vaccines help to maintain the best immunity for your pet by enhancing his/her immune response.

What should I watch for, now that my pet has been vaccinated?

It is not uncommon for your pet to show slight lethargy following a vaccine. However, if your pet demonstrates any behavior that concerns you, contact us immediately. Anaphylactic reaction is a rare complication to vaccination.

If your pet has vomiting or diarrhea, call us and/or return to Bradley Hills Animal Hospital immediately.