What Vaccines Your Dog Really Needs

So you just brought home a new puppy and are scheduling your first vet visit. The first trip to the vet can be overwhelming for not just your dog, but for you as well. There is a ton of conflicting information about diets, exercise, and even vaccines. It’s no secret that puppies require a lot of vaccines in their first few months of life. However, depending on your dogs lifestyle, every vaccine may not be necessary. Today I’m going to be breaking down what the different puppy vaccines are and which vaccines your dog really needs.

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines are vaccines that most vets will recommend for every dog regardless of lifestyle. These vaccines protect your puppy from major, life threatening illness and include:

• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Adenovirus
• Parainfluenza
• Rabies

Whether or not your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or around other dogs, they are susceptible to these illnesses and it is strongly encouraged that they get an initial dose and booster of these vaccines.

Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza

These four vaccines are often administered as a combination. Your vet may offer you a DAP vaccine which protects against distemper, adenovirus, and paraninfluenza. Another common option for vaccination against these diseases is Duramune 3 which protects from distemper, adenovirus, and parainfluenza or Duramune 5 which protects against those three as well as parvovirus and hepatitis. Duramune 5 is more commonly given to puppies while Duramune 3 is often used with adult dogs.

If your vet offers a DAP vaccine, a parvovirus vaccine will be administer separately. 

Your dog should be given vaccines to protect against these illnesses, regardless of lifestyle. 

Rabies

Of all the vaccines your dog really needs, rabies is the most important. In most states the rabies vaccine is required for all dogs by 6 months. It should be given to your puppy around 16 weeks but no earlier than 12 weeks of age. A booster of the rabies vaccine will be given at one year old and will be administered every 3 years after.

If your dog does not receive a rabies vaccine and bites someone they will be quarantined and reported to the state. Failing to vaccinate your dog against rabies puts them at risk and therefore should be given to your dog regardless of lifestyle. 

Noncore Vaccines

There are a large variety of noncore vaccines for dogs that should or should not be given depending on your dogs lifestyle. Some of the more common noncore vaccines include:

• Bordetella
• Leptospira
• Lyme
• Canine Influenza

Your dog may or may not need these vaccines as it depends largely on how much time they spend outdoors and around other dogs. 

Bordetella

Bordetella is an inter-nasal vaccine that protects dogs against Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough, also known as Canine Cough, is spread between dogs through the air or contaminated surfaces and water bowls. If your dog does not spend a large amount of time with other dogs outside of your household, they are not at large risk for Kennel Cough and do not not to receive the Bordetella vaccine. 

If your dog boards frequently or goes to dog daycare or dog parks, they should receive the Bordetella vaccine. In fact, most dog daycare and boarding facilities will require your dog receives a Bordetella vaccine. 

Leptospira

Leptospira is found in still waters and mud and can cause liver and kidney damage. If your dog is frequently in swampy areas, or if you live near a creek or other body of water, you will want to vaccinate them against Leptospira. 

For dogs living in a more urban area, the Leptospira vaccine is not necessary.

Lyme

Dogs that live in Lyme endemic areas should receive a dose of the Lyme vaccine. Lyme disease is spread through ticks that are found in tall grasses or woods. 

Your dog should be receiving some variety of flea and tick protection. If your dog is being protected from ticks, and doesn’t walk through wooded areas frequently, they do not need the Lyme vaccine. 

If you plan to go camping or travel to a wooded area, you may want to consider administering a Lyme vaccine for your dog. Two doses will need to be administered with the last dose being 2-4 weeks before travel. 

Canine Influenza

The Canine Influenza vaccine is not needed for dogs who do not frequent highly populated dog facilities such as, grooming, daycare, parks, or boarding. Any dog who is not around other dogs frequently is not at risk for Canine Influenza and does not need the Influenza vaccine. 

Always talk to your vet about the different vaccine options to determine which vaccines your dog really needs. Your vet will be able to help you determine the best plan for you and your pup.