Vaccinations for Your Pet (2024)

Vaccinations for Your Pet (1)

Vaccines help prevent many illnesses that affect pets. Vaccinating your pet has long been considered one of the easiest ways to help him live a long, healthy life. Not only are there different vaccines for different diseases, there are different types and combinations of vaccines. Vaccination is a procedure that has risks and benefits that must be weighed for every pet relative to his lifestyle and health. Your veterinarian can determine a vaccination regime that will provide the safest and best protection for your individual animal.

Understanding Vaccines

Vaccines help prepare the body's immune system to fight the invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which look like the disease-causing organism to the immune system but don't actually cause disease. When the vaccine is introduced to the body, the immune system is mildly stimulated. If a pet is ever exposed to the real disease, his immune system is now prepared to recognize and fight it off entirely or reduce the severity of the illness.

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Vaccines are very important to managing the health of your pet. That said, not every pet needs to be vaccinated against every disease. It is very important to discuss with your veterinarian a vaccination protocol that’s right for your pet. Factors that should be examined include age, medical history, environment, travel habits and lifestyle. Most vets highly recommend administering core vaccines to healthy pets.

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines are considered vital to all pets based on risk of exposure, severity of disease or transmissibility to humans.

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For Dogs: Vaccines for canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies are considered core vaccines. Non-core vaccines are given depending on the dog’s exposure risk. These include vaccines against Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira bacteria.

For Cats:Vaccines for panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis) and rabies are considered core vaccines. Non-core vaccines are given depending on the cat's lifestyle; these include vaccines for feline leukemia virus, Bordetella, Chlamydophila felis and feline immunodeficiency virus.

Your veterinarian can determine what vaccines are best for your pet.

Determining the Timing and Frequency of Vaccinations

Your veterinarian can best determine a vaccination schedule for your pet. This will depend on the type of vaccine, your pet’s age, medical history, environment and lifestyle.

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For puppies: If his mother has a healthy immune system, a puppy will most likely receive antibodies in mother’s milk while nursing. Puppies should receive a series of vaccinations starting at six to eight weeks of age. A veterinarian should administer a minimum of three vaccinations at three- to four-week intervals. The final dose should be administered at 16 weeks of age.

For adult dogs: Some adult dogs might receive certain vaccines annually, while other vaccines might be given every three years or longer.

For kittens: Kittens automatically receive antibodies in the milk their mother produces if their mother has a healthy immune system. When the kitten is around six to eight weeks of age, your veterinarian can begin to administer a series of vaccines at three- or four-week intervals until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age.

For adult cats: Adult cats might be revaccinated annually or every three years.

Local Laws Regarding Mandatory Vaccines

Each state has its own laws governing the administration of the rabies vaccine. Some areas require yearly rabies vaccination. Other areas call for vaccines every three years. In almost all states, proof of rabies vaccination is mandatory.

Risks Associated with Vaccination

Immunizations should mildly stimulate the animal’s immune system in order to create protection from specific infectious diseases. This stimulation can create mild symptoms, ranging from soreness at the injection site to fever and allergic reactions.

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There are other, less common side effects like injection site tumors and immune disease associated with vaccination. That said, it is important to realize that vaccines have saved countless lives, and play a vital role in the battle against infectious diseases. As with any medical procedure, there is a small chance of side effects. In most cases, the risks are much smaller than the risks of disease itself. But it is important to talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s medical history before he is vaccinated.

Most pets show no ill effect from vaccination. Vaccine reactions may be minor and short-lived or require immediate care from a veterinarian. Clinical signs include:

  • Fever
  • Sluggishness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Facial swelling and/or hives
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain, swelling, redness, scabbing or hair loss around the injection site
  • Lameness
  • Collapse
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
  • Lameness

It is best to schedule your pet’s appointment so that you can monitor him for any side effects following administration of the vaccine. If you suspect your pet is having a reaction to a vaccine, call your veterinarian immediately.

Vaccinations for Your Pet (2024)

FAQs

What vaccinations do dogs actually need? ›

Vaccination helps protect your pet against these and other highly contagious or deadly diseases.
  • Canine distemper.
  • Canine influenza.
  • Canine parvovirus.
  • Feline panleukopenia.
  • Leptospirosis.
  • Rabies.

At what age do you stop vaccinating your dog? ›

At what age do you stop vaccinating your dog? Senior dogs do not generally stop requiring vaccinations, but it will depend on your dog's lifestyle and overall health. Once a dog reaches seven years of age, its senior status requires some special considerations to keep them healthy and happy.

How often should a pet be vaccinated? ›

As vaccines are improved over time, some do not need to be given as often, depending on individual circumstances. Most dogs with low-risk lifestyles can be vaccinated every three years with the core vaccines and as needed for any non-core vaccines (most non-core vaccines require annual boosters).

What is the 5 in 1 vaccine for dogs? ›

The 5-in-1 vaccine, or DHPP vaccine, protects against five viruses: Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus 1 and 2, Canine Parainfluenza, and Canine Parvovirus. Puppies should receive the 5-in-1 vaccine starting at 6-8 weeks of age, with shots given every 3-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks old.

What if I don't vaccinate my dog? ›

If dogs aren't vaccinated at a young age, they will be vulnerable to diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, canine parvovirus, Lyme disease, canine influenza, leptospirosis, and kennel cough.

Is a Bordetella vaccine necessary? ›

Does my dog need the Bordetella vaccine? The Bordetella vaccine can prevent kennel cough. It is administered by vets as a squirt in the nose. Not all dogs need this vaccine, but we recommend it for social dogs and any dogs who will be boarded (most boarding facilities require proof of a recent Bordetella vaccine).

Why shouldn't you over vaccinate your dog? ›

Risks of Over-Vaccination

Increases the risk of vaccine-associate malaise. Malaise is a natural result of vaccination; it means the immune system is kicking it into high gear and doing all the things it should do to protect your pet from disease.

Is it ever too late to vaccinate my dog? ›

It's never too late to vaccinate your dog! Vaccines help protect your pet from life-threatening illnesses; the earlier they are vaccinated, the better. Some pet vaccines require multiple doses to provide the best possible protection, so depending on your pet's age, they may require additional boosters.

Do dogs really need boosters? ›

Although getting your dog vaccinated when it is very young is very important – it is equally important to keep your dog vaccinated throughout its life. How often should dogs be vaccinated after their first inoculations? We recommend that dogs receive a 'booster' vaccinations every 12 months.

What happens if a dog's vaccination is delayed? ›

Missing a vaccination or booster

The action taken by your vet will primarily depend on how late you are with the appointment. If this is more than 3 or 4 weeks, your furbaby may be given two vaccinations just 2 or 3 weeks apart to boost their immunity against the disease.

Is it cheaper to vaccinate dogs yourself? ›

Administering shots yourself saves money because no office call fees or transportation costs are incurred. Buying the vaccines and other supplies may be more cost-effective than paying for a shot at the vets. Shots can be given at your convenience, so you can plan them around your schedule.

Do dogs really need rabies shots every year? ›

Typically, after the first year, your dog will receive the DAP shot once every three years. The frequency of the rabies shot varies by state, with many states requiring an annual booster shot for this disease. Otherwise, your dog will only need to get the rabies booster once every three years as well.

What vaccines do dogs really need? ›

The main core vaccines your puppy will need are for rabies, canine distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis) and parvovirus. Find out more about the viruses they protect against below.

What is Bordetella in dogs? ›

What is Bordetella? Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that is associated with respiratory disease in dogs. It is one of the components of the canine infectious respiratory complex, sometimes referred to as kennel cough, upper respiratory infection, or infectious tracheobronchitis.

Do dogs really need the DHPP vaccine every year? ›

All adult dogs should receive: a rabies booster one year after the first vaccination and every three years thereafter; a DHPP (distemper/adenovirus/parainfluenza/hepatitis) booster one year after the last puppy series; a DHPP booster at two years of age and a DHPP booster in three-year intervals thereafter.

Do dogs really need yearly vaccinations? ›

If you regularly board your dog or if he is exposed to other dogs, some vaccines, especially those for infectious bacterial diseases such as kennel cough (Bordetella), may be needed annually. Before vaccine administration, your veterinarian will perform a health examination.

Does my dog really need a leptospirosis vaccine? ›

Any dog that regularly goes outside is potentially at risk of contracting this disease. While the leptospirosis vaccine is not currently a required immunization for dogs, it is highly recommended for any dog that commonly goes outside, even just to go to the bathroom in the backyard.

Do dogs need distemper shots every year? ›

Core dog vaccine. Caused by an airborne virus, distemper is a severe disease that, among other problems, may cause permanent brain damage. Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing the initial series, then all dogs need a booster every 3 years or more often.

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