Immunizations and Your Dog – What You Need to Know

When you bring your adorable ball-of-fur puppy home for the first time, you instinctively know that he or she is depending on you for, well, everything.

You want to be a good puppy parent and give your playful bundle-of-joy all the love, attention, guidance, food, toys, socialization and health care he or she needs. And yes, you know that, just like it’s important to immunize your children, it’s important to get your puppy immunized to help him or her have a long, healthy life.

Immunizations are an important part of taking care of your dog. However, not every puppy needs every vaccine that is available. That’s why it’s important to discuss immunizations with your veterinarian to determine what is right for your puppy or adult dog.

What Immunizations Does My Dog Need?

 Core Vaccines

There is a “core” set of vaccines that most vets will agree should be given to healthy puppies (or dogs). Core vaccines include canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies.

Your puppy should receive a series of vaccinations that includes a combination of the parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus (canine hepatitis), adenovirus cough and parainfluenza, often called a 5-in-1. The 7-in-1 combination shot includes the above vaccines, as well as a few types of leptospirosis.

Here’s more about the essential “core” vaccines:

• Rabies – Rabies is 100% fatal to an infected dog. There is no treatment for rabies in dogs. Vaccinations can be given in 1 or 3-year doses. In Colorado, the rabies vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. The vaccination can be given as early as 3 months of age, but is required by law to be administered to all dogs over the age of 6 months.
• Parvovirus – The parvovirus is an extremely contagious virus that can cause a life-threatening illness in dogs. It attacks a dog’s intestinal tract as well as the white blood cells. It can cause lifelong damage to the heart muscle. Parvovirus is common in Colorado so be sure to ask for this vaccine when you visit the vet. This horrible disease can be prevented by keeping your pup up-to date with vaccinations.
• Distemper – Canine distemper is a serious disease. Distemper affects a dog’s respiratory system, intestines, central nervous system and eye membranes. This virus spreads very easily and must be treated as soon as it’s discovered.
• Adenovirus (canine hepatitis) – Dogs who suffer from this disease experience swelling and cell damage in the liver, causing hemorrhage and death.
• Canine adenovirus cough – This virus causes respiratory disease in dogs and is one of the infectious agents commonly involved in canine infectious tracheobronchitis, also knowns as kennel cough. This is an air-borne disease that is usually spread by coughing, or by contact with contaminated feces or urine.
• Leptospirosis – This is a bacterial disease that can pass from animal to human. It usually is spread through an animal’s urine, which is why it’s important for dogs that spend time outside to have this vaccine. There are several strains that are vaccinated against in the 7-in-1 combination vaccine.

 Non-Core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines are given to puppies and dogs when it is determined that they are at-risk for the disease.

• Bordetella – Bordello (also known as tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes inflammation of the trachea and bronchi. Dogs that enroll in Canine Campus, whether for daycare or overnight stays, are required to be up-to-date on their Bordetella vaccine. This vaccine may be administered as a shot or nasal drop.
• Canine influenza – There are two strains of canine influenza, Canine H3N2 and Canine H3N8. Although there is no evidence that canine influenza can be passed to humans, humans can pass it on to other dogs. Dogs can be immunized against both strains.
• Parainfluenza – The canine influenza virus is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It is one of the pathogens associated with kennel cough. Although the symptoms of parainfluenza are similar to those of canine influenza, they are different viruses and require different vaccines.
• Lyme disease – Lyme disease is generally only recommended for dogs that are exposed to Lyme-carrying ticks. This is not a common vaccine required in Colorado.

Puppies need a routine of immunizations before each vaccine is in full effect, so be careful where you take your puppy before he or she has had all of their shots.

Immunization Schedule for Dogs

According to Advanced Animal Care of Colorado, you should start immunizing your puppy at 8 weeks. If you adopt an adult dog your vet will provide you with a vaccination schedule based on the health and age of your dog.

Here is the usual puppy vaccination schedule:

• 8 weeks old – (first round) – Distemper (Da2PP), Bordetella, Leptospirosis
• 12 weeks old – (second round) – Distemper (Da2PP), Bordetella, Leptospirosis
• 16 weeks old – (third round) – Distemper (Da2PP), Bordetella, Rabies
• 1 year old – (fourth round)- Distemper (Da2PP), Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Rabies

Once your puppy has received all of his or her immunizations, boosters are usually given once a year. A 6-month Bordetella booster is required for dogs who attend daycare or stay overnight.

Check out this smart chocolate lab puppy that’s figured out if he “cries” after getting his shot long enough he will get a treat. Notice how he shakes off the shot and is fine but then remembers to “cry” so he gets a treat. Adorable!

Do Immunizations Have Side Effects?

Immunizations save lives and are very important for fighting and controlling canine diseases despite any risks or side effects that may occur. They are important for your dog’s overall health and wellbeing.

When your dog receives a vaccine, it stimulates his or her immune system and can cause side effects.

Side effects can include:

• Soreness at the needle location
• Fever
• Allergic reactions
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing (take to vet right away)

It is important to schedule your dog’s immunization appointment on a day that you will be able to stay home with him or and monitor any side effects.

If you notice a side effect or any other symptoms following a vaccination, call your vet the next business day or, in the case of a serious reaction, contact your vet or a vet emergency hospital right away.

Thinking of Traveling Outside the U.S. with Your Dog?

Most countries will need to see your dog’s immunization records. Check with the legal requirements of each country to determine which vaccines are required. Research immunization requirements far in advance of your travel date to give you plenty of time to make sure you are up-to-date with all immunization requirements before you leave.

In order to protect your dog and the other Canine Campus dogs, we require your dog to be current on his or her Bordetella (within the last 6 months), distemper and rabies. If you are new to the Canine Campus family, please bring a printed copy of your current vaccinations to your dog’s Admissions Test.

What questions do you have about vaccines for dogs? Has your dog shown any side effects? Please share your experiences with the Canine Campus community by commenting below.