Vaccination is a method to enhance the immune system of animals and help them fight diseases. Vaccines are produced from dead or weakened forms of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that cause diseases in dogs.
Why Are Dog Vaccines Necessary?
Vaccinating your dog is essential for their protection against diseases. By getting your dog vaccinated, you can prevent illnesses and eliminate the worry of them falling sick or dying. Vaccines also play a crucial role in safeguarding dogs from severe illnesses and potential death that could have been prevented through vaccination.
Moreover, vaccinations are significant in preventing suffering and pain for both you and your pet. They can effectively ward off certain bacterial infections, reducing the need for antibiotics after vaccination. Additionally, vaccinating your dog can save you from expensive treatment bills in the future, especially if they have an existing condition like arthritis.
Even if your pets primarily stay indoors, it is still vital to ensure their protection through vaccinations. For instance, the kennel cough vaccine can safeguard them against common contagious illnesses they may come across.
Contraindications to the Vaccine in Dogs
There are several contraindications that should be considered when vaccinating dogs. These include:
- Pregnancy - It is not recommended to administer the vaccine to pregnant dogs or those who have given birth within the past four weeks.
- Puppies under six months old - It is advisable to wait until puppies reach the age of six months before administering their first shots. This is because their immune system is stronger at this stage compared to adults.
- Overweight dogs - Vaccinating overweight dogs may pose a higher risk of severe side effects. The excess weight can strain their organs and systems, such as the heart and lungs, potentially leading to fatal consequences.
If you have concerns regarding these issues with your pet, it is important to consult with their veterinarian. They can provide guidance on whether it is safe to administer vaccinations and recommend any necessary precautions.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
It is important to note that vaccination schedules may vary from puppy to puppy. Geographic location and lifestyle may play a role in this, so not every dog may need every vaccination. However, this is the typical vaccination schedule for dogs during the first year.
At eight weeks of age:
- Lyme vaccine (1 of 2)
- DHPPi (Distemper) vaccine (1 of 3)
- Bordetella vaccine (1 of 1)
- Bordetella vaccine (1 of 1)
At 12 weeks of age:
- Lyme vaccine (2 of 2)
- Canine influenza vaccination (2 of 2)
- DHPPi (Distemper) vaccine (2 of 3)
- Rabies vaccine (1 of 1)
- Leptospirosis vaccine (1 of 2)
At 12 weeks of age:
- DHPPi (Distemper)
- Leptospirosis vaccinations
Boosters for Puppy Vaccines
Due to their underdeveloped immune systems, puppies are more vulnerable to illnesses. This is why vaccinations start at a young age. Initially, puppies receive some immunity from their mothers, but this protection is short-lived. The maternal immunity can potentially interfere with and decrease the effectiveness of our vaccinations. Therefore, to ensure that puppies develop an adequate amount of antibodies, we need to vaccinate them multiple times or provide booster shots.
Vaccination Schedule for Adult Dogs
Adult and older dogs need regular vaccinations to maintain their immunity. Depending on the vaccine, boosters should be given annually or every three years.
- Bordetella annually
- Canine influenza annually
- Lyme disease annually
- DHPPI (Distemper) every three years
- Rabies every three years
- Leptospirosis annually
Boosters Vaccines In Adult Dogs
While booster shots are generally safe, some pet owners may have reservations about giving them to their dogs. In such cases, they may opt for a titer test instead. Some countries may even require titers for dogs traveling abroad.
A titer test measures the level of antibodies in a dog's blood against a specific disease. This is done by diluting a blood sample and exposing it to an antigen. The results can help determine if your dog needs to be revaccinated or if they can skip the booster shot.
Why Do Puppies Need Multiple Vaccine Doses?
There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, it can be difficult to know when a puppy has lost the immunity passed on from its mother without conducting complex tests. A sudden drop in maternal antibodies can leave a puppy vulnerable to illness at a young age. Additionally, strong maternal immunity can interfere with early vaccinations. Secondly, with killed vaccines in particular, the first dose serves as a primer, while the second dose boosts the immune response to a more lasting level of protection.
Why Does My Dog Need a Booster Vaccination?
In most dogs that have been properly vaccinated, their immunity should last longer than a year and often for several years. However, immunity does decrease over time, although the rate of decline varies from dog to dog. Revaccinations have been proven to be very effective in maintaining the highest level of protection against infectious diseases. While immunity does decrease over time, the rate at which it declines differs between individuals.
Depending on the situation, some vaccines are now given less frequently as they have been improved over time. For dogs with low-risk lifestyles, core vaccines can be given every three years, and non-core vaccines can be given as needed (most non-core vaccines require annual boosters). Your veterinarian will discuss the necessity and frequency of booster vaccines based on your dog's needs and lifestyle.
How long does it take for a vaccine to build immunity?
The initial immune response is triggered within hours of receiving the vaccine. It usually takes ten to fourteen days to develop a sufficient level of protection. Killed vaccines may require a second dose to provide full protection. Maternal antibodies in puppies can delay the development of immunity until later in the vaccination schedule.
It is important to keep vaccinated puppies away from dogs or puppies with unknown vaccination status until they have completed their full vaccination schedule.