Dog Vaccination Guidelines: Getting a Smart Start to Life Long Health

Our canine friends, just like humans, are susceptible to specific illnesses and disease. With new strains of viruses developing daily it is imperative to keep your furry friends safe and strong. Professional veterinary clinics do their very best to provide the necessary preventative services to maintain your pet’s health.

Protecting your dog’s well being with the essential vaccines from an early age is a vital aspect to pet care. Puppies become at risk for disease after the immunity they received from their mother’s milk wears off. At this point (anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks old) a puppy should be administered a series of vaccinations until its immune system becomes stronger.

The Recommended Must-Have Vaccines
The majority of pet clinics suggest vaccinating your puppy at 6 to 8 weeks of age with a combination shot. This shot includes the inoculations for adenovirus, hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza and parvovirus. This shot should be given again when a dog is 12 weeks old and when your dog becomes a fully matured adult.

Between the ages of 16 to 26 weeks of age, your dog should be given its Rabies shot. This vaccine is required by state law. (The age requirement for the Rabies vaccine varies based on a state’s rules and regulations).

Vaccinations for illnesses such as coronavirus, leptospirosis, Lyme disease and kennel cough can be given to your dog at 15 weeks of age and annually after that. Not all veterinary clinics recommend these shots. These vaccines aren’t always effective and adverse side effects can result.

Considerations Specific to your Pet
Many factors come into play when deciding whether or not to inoculate your canine for particular diseases.

• The specific breed of dog (some breeds are more vulnerable to illness than others)
• The area where your pup roams…is it a heavily wooded area? If so, a Lyme Disease vaccine should be considered.
• Does your dog spend a significant amount of time boarding at the kennel? If so you may want to consider having your dog inoculated for kennel cough.
• Is your canine popular? Does he hang around other dogs often? Then think about getting your pet shots for leptospirosis and coronavirus.
• Has there been an outbreak of a certain disease in your area? In this case you’re going to want to take preventive care of your pet that is specific to the situation at hand. Contact your family veterinarian or animal health authorities for pertinent information.
• Is your dog elderly? If so, your pet may have a compromised immune system. Your dog may not as easily fight off disease, but at the same time, may react more strongly to vaccinations. With older dogs, sometimes vaccines can bring on the symptoms of the very illness you are looking to prevent. Weigh the risks and benefits with your pet’s vet.
• Is your dog Diabetic? Many canines suffer from diabetes and veterinary clinics vary on their opinions on vaccinating diabetic dogs. Some believe its best to give your pet the recommended shots, while others say to stay away from all vaccines. It’s best to consult your vet; perhaps your dog doesn’t suffer as intensely from the disease as others and it will be okay to give your furry friend the necessary inoculations.

Advice from your veterinary care provider should also be heavily considered. Remember to keep current medical records for your pet and update your dog’s information each time he receives a vaccine.

Travel Buddies: State to State and Overseas Pet Vaccination Requirements
Maybe you’re thinking of making Sparky your newest travel companion, but don’t forget each state or country you visit has its own animal import requirements. When traveling in the United States, each state has its own regulations. Most states just want to make sure your pup has had a recent rabies shot. Contact the state’s animal health department on the rules and regulations of traveling with your pet across state lines.

When traveling with your dog across the great Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, the pet importation rules vary for each country. Most European countries are the same and want your canine to be vaccinated for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and rabies. Your dog also needs a microchip implanted with all of its information located on it. A rabies certificate and an EU Vet Health Certificate needs to be filled out by your accredited  veterinarian before traveling. These documents must travel with your canine at all times.

Plenty of specific information on the rules and regulations of traveling with your pet internationally is available on the internet via government websites or pet relocation services.

All of your vaccine and disease questions can be answered by a professional veterinarian. Whenever possible, develop a relationship with your vet for the life of your pet for the most well rounded and informed pet health and vaccination advice.

About the Author:
K. Paul Rumble D.V.M. is a 1969 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and has been associated with Pond Point Animal Hospital since 1985. His special professional interests include animal dermatology, orthopedics and internal medicine. A member of his local Rotary since 1974, his interests outside of veterinary medicine include gardening, traveling, biking and running (marathons). Dr. Rumble is director of the Pond Point Animal Hospital located in Milford, Connecticut which provides comprehensive pet health care including preventive vaccinations, emergency services, hospitalization, surgery, boarding, pet meds and supplies and a convenient drop off service.

For more information on current pet health issues, visit www.pondpoint.com or call 1.800.671.7885. Email the author at ppah@pondpoint.com.