What Are Vaccines and How Do They Work in Dogs?
Vaccines have the important job of helping to teach your dog’s immune system how to recognize and fight off disease-causing pathogens. They stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that identify and destroy these pathogens and can minimize the severity of illness or even help prevent the disease all together. Watch this video to see how vaccines can help prevent or lessen the severity of disease.
Vaccine schedules and recommendations are made by groups of experts such as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) based on extensive review of the scientific literature and years of research and experience.
Core and Non-Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs, regardless of age or lifestyle. Vaccines for parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and rabies are all considered core vaccines.
Non-core vaccines are recommended for dogs based on their exposure risk to specific diseases through lifestyle or geographic location. Vaccines for Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease), leptospirosis, and canine influenza are considered non-core vaccines.
Vaccine Schedule From Puppy to Adult Dog
Vaccines are the safest and most cost-effective way to help protect your dog from many preventable infectious diseases. Keeping them on a consistent vaccine schedule is important.
*Example vaccine schedule provided as general guideline. Actual vaccine schedules are tailored for the individual patient and vary greatly depending on a multitude of factors including individual pet lifestyle, geographic location, and veterinary preference. Please consult your veterinarian for all vaccine recommendations for your pet.
†Rabies vaccines are mandated by local law. Please consult your veterinarian for local mandates for rabies vaccines.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. The virus can also be found in wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, and skunks. Puppies and dogs most often become infected through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing) to the virus from an infected dog or wild animal. The virus can also be transmitted by shared food and water bowls.
Prevention
Vaccination is crucial in helping prevent canine distemper and is considered a core vaccine. Puppies should receive a series of vaccinations to help build immunity while the immune system continues to mature. Vaccines for distemper are often part of a combination core vaccine along with adenovirus and parvovirus. Keeping your dog on an immunization schedule can help. You should also try to minimize your dog’s exposure to any potentially infected dogs and wildlife.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus (parvo) is a highly contagious, deadly viral disease that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than 4 months old are the most at risk. Parvovirus affects a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces or the environment. Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, fever or low body temperature (hypothermia), vomiting, and severe (bloody) diarrhea. Most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the first clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, contact your vet immediately. Parvovirus can last for months in the environment and can be found almost everywhere.
Prevention
Vaccination and good hygiene practices are critical components of prevention, as almost every dog will encounter the virus at some point. Don’t let your puppy or adult dog come into contact with the fecal waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors. Vaccination for parvovirus is considered a core vaccine, and puppies receive a series of vaccines while they wait for their immune system to mature. Vaccines for parvovirus are often part of a combination core vaccine along with adenovirus and distemper.
Rabies
Rabies is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting mammals, including dogs and humans. It is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Rabies virus is found throughout the world. The infection is transmitted when one infected animal bites another. After the bite occurs, the rabies virus reproduces in the tissues near the wound, then uses the peripheral nerves (any nerves that are outside the brain and spinal cord) to travel to the spinal cord, and then the brain. After the virus enters the brain, it spreads to the salivary glands and organs. Once in the salivary glands, the virus can be shed in the saliva. Rabies virus does not survive long outside a mammal’s body. Once the outward signs of the disease appear, rabies is nearly always fatal. Rabies is still a real threat, in fact, thousands of wild animals are diagnosed with rabies each year in the US. These animals are potential sources of exposure for pets.
Prevention
Vaccination is the cornerstone of rabies prevention. Vaccination promotes the production of antibodies but is only effective if given before the virus enters the nervous system. Modern rabies vaccines for dogs, cats, horses, and ferrets are extremely safe and effective. Unlike other vaccines, rabies vaccines are mandated by local law. Regular visits to your veterinarian are essential to help ensure your pet stays up to date on rabies vaccines.
Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC)
Also known as “kennel cough,” CIRDC is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with one or more viruses and/or bacteria that can affect your dog’s respiratory tract. All breeds and ages are susceptible. Dogs are particularly at risk when exposed to settings where multiple dogs mingle or live. Experts are leaning away from using the term “kennel cough,” as dogs are susceptible to CIRDC in any place where dogs gather. Though typical places like shelters and boarding facilities carry a high risk, any location where there are other dogs such as dog parks and dog shows should be considered as potential exposure.
Prevention
A good way to help protect your dog from CIRDC is to keep him up to date on his vaccinations. Vaccination against CIRDC is considered a non-core vaccine, which means your veterinarian will recommend the vaccine based on your pet’s lifestyle. There are many types of vaccines for CIRDC, including oral and intranasal. Talk to your veterinarian about which options they offer and recommend.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a serious, life-threatening disease in dogs. The most common way dogs become infected with leptospirosis is through water contaminated with urine from infected wildlife. Common sources of leptospirosis include stagnant or slow-moving water like puddles, ponds, or lakes. Another source is from contact with urine-contaminated soil, bedding, or food. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be spread from humans to animals, which makes prevention especially important.
Prevention
Though vaccination for leptospirosis is a non-core vaccine, its strongly recommended for most dogs in North America. Reducing your dog’s exposure to possible sources of the Leptospira bacteria can also reduce the chances of infection.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a serious illness transmitted through an infected tick bite and can cause serious and recurring health problems. The bacterium that causes Lyme disease is carried and transmitted by black-legged ticks. Black-legged ticks are widely distributed across the eastern United States and prefer damp, shaded conditions including forests, shrubs bordering forests and walking trails, and tall grasses. The greatest risk of exposure is in the spring, summer, and fall, but adults are active in the winter months when temperatures are above freezing.
The most common signs of Lyme disease in dogs are lameness, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In addition, serious kidney complications have been associated with Lyme disease in dogs.
Prevention
Helping prevent Lyme disease is multifactorial. Tick control can significantly reduce the likelihood of infection and can help prevent transmission of other tickborne diseases. Ticks thrive in humid, dark areas so avoiding tall grass, shrubs, and leaf litter can be helpful where possible. Vaccination against canine Lyme disease is considered a non-core vaccine and is recommended annually for dogs that live within or travel to areas with emerging or endemic Lyme disease.
Key Takeaways
Vaccinations play a crucial role in helping prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protecting the health and well-being of your dog.
Vaccines can help prevent many potentially fatal or debilitating diseases that may have long-term health consequences.
It is important to follow a recommended vaccination schedule to help ensure that dogs receive the necessary vaccines at the appropriate times.
