Introduction
Vaccines help prevent dangerous and potentially fatal diseases in dogs by exposing them to a weakened or killed version of the disease-causing virus or bacteria. This allows the dog’s immune system to build antibodies and develop immunity against the disease without getting sick. Some vaccines like rabies provide lifelong immunity after the initial series. But other core vaccines like parvo, distemper, and adenovirus need to be boostered every 1-3 years for continued protection. Annual vet visits for vaccines are important because they ensure your dog maintains immunity against these deadly contagious diseases.
Sources:
https://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-health/health-conditions/pet-vaccinations-101/
https://www.skycanyonanimalhospital.com/blog/vaccines-for-dogs-what-every-dog-owner-needs-to-know/
Core Vaccines
Certain core vaccines are recommended every year for dogs. These include distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies vaccines. According to the Patrick Veterinary Clinic in Charleston, SC, “Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Parainfluenza, Hepatitis, and Kennel Cough are all considered core yearly vaccines for dogs.”
It’s important to administer these vaccines annually because the diseases they protect against are highly contagious and life threatening. Distemper is an airborne virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Adenovirus causes infectious hepatitis, which affects the liver. Parvovirus is a highly contagious and deadly disease that causes vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and rapid dehydration. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once clinical signs appear.
Yearly vaccination is crucial to maintaining immunity against these dangerous diseases. The core vaccines have proven very effective in preventing distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies when given annually. Discussing the recommended schedule with your veterinarian will help protect your dog against these potentially fatal diseases.
Source: https://patrickvet.com/faq
Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a virus. It attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs. Early symptoms include fever, coughing, nasal discharge, and eye inflammation. As it progresses, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, muscle twitches, seizures, and paralysis. Distemper has a high mortality rate, with as many as 50% of cases being fatal. It spreads through airborne exposure and contact with body secretions from an infected dog.
Vaccination is crucial for protecting dogs against distemper. The distemper vaccine needs to be given yearly because duration of immunity is relatively short. Annual boosters keep antibody titers high to prevent infection. According to the American Animal Hospital Association’s canine vaccination guidelines, the distemper vaccine should be given every year or every three years depending on the type of vaccine used (https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/pet-vaccines-schedules-cats-dogs).
Adenovirus
Overview: Adenovirus comes in two main types that infect dogs: type 1 and type 2. Adenovirus type 1 typically causes infectious hepatitis, which affects the liver. It spreads through urine, feces, respiratory secretions, and saliva from infected dogs. Adenovirus type 2 most often causes respiratory illness, including coughing, sneezing, and pneumonia. It spreads similarly through bodily fluids from infected dogs. Both types can result in fatal disease in dogs if not vaccinated against. Immunity declines within a year because adenovirus mutates and different strains become prevalent. This makes yearly vaccination important for continued protection.
Sources:
https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/preventive-medicine/canine-adenovirus-type-2-vaccination/
https://www.naturespreservepetcare.com/services/blog/how-often-do-i-vaccinate
Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs. CPV impacts a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and causes diarrhea, vomiting, bloody stool, and more severe symptoms like septic shock [1]. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, CPV has a 91-100% morbidity rate and a 5-20% mortality rate if untreated [2]. Puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs are most susceptible.
CPV is spread through contact with infected feces and environments contaminated with the virus. It can survive in the environment for months or even years [3]. Proper cleaning and disinfection is crucial to prevent transmission.
The initial CPV vaccination series provides puppies with antibodies against the virus. However, studies show immunity can begin declining around 1 year after vaccination [2]. Annual or triennial booster vaccinations are recommended to maintain protective antibody levels.
Rabies
The rabies vaccine is legally mandated yearly in most states because rabies is an extremely serious viral disease with almost 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear. Rabies is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, most commonly wildlife like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing brain inflammation that leads to paralysis, aggression, hallucinations, and inability to swallow. Death usually occurs within a few days once these symptoms start.
All 50 states legally require regular rabies vaccinations for dogs. Most states require dogs to get their first rabies shot at 3-6 months old, then boosters every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine used. It’s crucial to follow your local rabies laws because penalties for noncompliance can include fines over $250 and even confiscation of the dog. According to the CDC, domestic dogs are responsible for most rabies transmissions to humans in the United States. Requiring yearly rabies vaccines for all dogs helps stop the spread of this fatal virus to pets and people.
Overall, the rabies vaccine is mandated by law because rabies is an incurable viral disease that causes suffering, brain damage, aggression, paralysis, and rapid death in nearly 100% of cases. Vaccinating dogs regularly protects family pets and public health.
Non-core Vaccines
In addition to the core vaccines, there are some other non-core vaccines that may be recommended for dogs based on their lifestyle and risk factors (source). These include:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica – Causes kennel cough and is recommended yearly for dogs exposed to lots of other dogs in boarding, grooming, doggie daycare, parks, etc. (source).
- Leptospirosis – Transmitted through contaminated water and urine and can cause liver and kidney failure. Recommended based on risk and location (source).
- Lyme disease – Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through tick bites. An option for dogs at high risk (source).
There are a few other non-core vaccines as well, like canine influenza virus. Your vet will be able to advise if any of these optional vaccines are recommended for your dog based on risk factors like lifestyle, health, age, and location.
Risk Factors
Certain risk factors may require dogs to receive more frequent vaccine boosters than the typical annual schedule. According to the NCBI, factors like age, environment, and health conditions play a role in vaccine frequency recommendations [1]. For example, puppies require a series of boosters to fully protect them while their immune systems are still developing. Geriatric dogs may have weakened immune responses so vets often recommend senior boosters. Dogs exposed to higher risk environments, such as kennels, parks, and daycares may require more frequent parvovirus or Bordetella vaccines. Immunocompromised dogs due to illness or medication also are at higher risk of vaccine failure. Overall, a vet should evaluate an individual dog’s lifestyle, health, and risks when determining an optimal vaccine schedule.
Talk to Your Vet
The best way to determine which vaccines your dog needs and when they should receive them is to discuss your dog’s vaccination schedule with your veterinarian. Factors like your dog’s breed, medical history, environment, and lifestyle can all impact what vaccines they require and when they should be administered.
Some things to discuss with your vet when determining your dog’s vaccination schedule include:
- Your dog’s age and health status
- Which vaccines are required by law in your area
- Your dog’s vaccination history
- Whether your dog will board, visit dog parks, or be exposed to other dogs
- Your dog’s travel habits
- The prevalence of certain diseases in your local area
- Any underlying health conditions your dog has
Veterinarians can make vaccine recommendations tailored to your individual dog’s needs and lifestyle. No two dogs are alike, so it’s important to discuss your dog’s specific circumstances with your vet rather than just following a generalized schedule. They can advise you on the core and non-core vaccines recommended for your pet.
Partnering with your vet ensures your dog receives the necessary immunizations at the right time to protect them from dangerous yet preventable infectious diseases. An annual wellness exam also gives your vet a chance to evaluate your dog’s overall health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is crucial for dog owners to follow their veterinarian’s recommended vaccination schedule and get the core vaccines yearly. The core vaccines – distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies – provide vital protection against potentially fatal diseases that still pose a significant threat. Annual boosters of these vaccines ensure continued immunity and are the foundation of preventative care for dogs. Though non-core vaccines may provide additional protection in certain situations, the core set should not be skipped. Staying current on vaccines protects the health of dogs and prevents the spread of contagious illnesses within the canine population. Dog owners should discuss their pet’s lifestyle and risk factors with a trusted vet to determine if additional vaccines may be warranted. However, all dog owners should understand that the core vaccines are imperative for any dog, and getting them yearly is the best way to safeguard canine health.