Dogs, especially puppies, are vulnerable to a variety of infectious diseases. Understanding the necessary vaccinations is crucial for pet owners to ensure their furry companions lead healthy and robust lives. The American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccination Task Force (AAHA) categorizes vaccinations into core and noncore. While core vaccines are vital for all dogs, noncore vaccines are administered based on the dog’s unique medical history, lifestyle, or circumstances.
Core Vaccines
The AAHA strongly recommends core vaccines for all dogs. These include canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus, and rabies. Often, these vaccines are combined into one single vaccination called DHP (or DAP), which stands for Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), and Parvovirus. If parainfluenza is included, the vaccination is referred to as DHPP.
Canine Distemper
Caused by a virus, canine distemper attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. It is highly contagious and often fatal. Puppies should receive the distemper vaccine when they are 6 weeks old, followed by two to three additional doses within a year.
Canine Adenovirus
Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is a severe disease caused by canine adenovirus 1. This virus primarily targets the liver, kidney, and blood vessels. Puppies are at the highest risk, and the disease can be fatal. The vaccine is typically part of the DHPP combination.
Canine Parvovirus
Parvovirus is another highly contagious virus that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies under four months are most at risk. The parvovirus vaccine should be administered at 6 to 8 weeks, 10 to 12 weeks, and 14 to 16 weeks, followed by a booster one year later, then every three years.
Rabies
Rabies, caused by the Lyssavirus, affects the central nervous system of mammals. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Rabies is fatal to both humans and animals. The rabies vaccine is required in the United States, with the schedule varying by state.
Noncore Vaccines
Noncore vaccines are recommended by veterinarians based on a dog’s individual needs. These include canine leptospirosis, canine Lyme, canine bordetella, canine influenza, and western diamondback rattlesnake toxoid.
Canine Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease affecting the liver or kidney. It is contracted through contact with infected urine or water sources. The leptospirosis vaccine is now recommended as a core vaccine in California due to its potential life-threatening nature and recent safety improvements.
Canine Bordetella
Also known as “kennel cough,” Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) affects dogs of all ages and breeds, causing a distinctive honking cough. Other symptoms include lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, and labored breathing. Common causes are Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus, and canine adenovirus type 2. The Bordetella vaccine is noncore and is often recommended for dogs in high-traffic areas, such as dog parks, or those boarded or groomed. It can be administered via injection, oral application, or nose drops, with the latter providing rapid protection by developing local immunity on mucous membranes.
Canine Lyme Disease
Canine Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is primarily transmitted through the bite of a deer tick or black-legged tick. Once attached, it takes one to two days for the tick to transmit the bacteria, making prompt removal crucial. Endemic areas in the U.S. include the northeast, upper Midwest, and Pacific coast. Symptoms range from fever and loss of appetite to lameness and swollen lymph nodes. If untreated, it can lead to kidney, nervous system, and heart damage. While there’s a vaccine available, it’s considered noncore and is typically recommended for dogs in high-prevalence areas who spend significant time outdoors.
Canine Influenza
Similar to the human flu, the highly contagious canine influenza virus causes respiratory infections in dogs. Transmitted through close contact, especially in kennels and dog parks, the virus spreads via coughing, sneezing, barking, and contaminated objects. Symptoms include coughing, discharge from eyes and nose, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The vaccine is noncore but may reduce the severity and duration of illness. It’s recommended for dogs at higher risk, such as those in communal facilities or participating in group activities. With the rise of canine influenza infections, the vaccine’s popularity has increased, particularly for social dogs and those boarding or attending grooming services.
Understanding Puppy Vaccination Costs and Schedules
The journey of welcoming a new puppy into your home is filled with excitement and responsibility. Among the key responsibilities is ensuring that your furry companion receives all necessary vaccinations. The cost of vaccinating a puppy can vary, typically ranging from $75 to $100, depending on your location and the veterinary services you choose. Some veterinarians offer comprehensive puppy wellness packages that encompass the cost of all vaccines and visits.
Vaccination costs for common puppy vaccines are as follows:
– Bordetella: $30.69
– DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza): $35.87
– Bivalent Influenza: $48.57
– Leptospirosis: $21.96
– Lyme disease: $39.41
– Rabies: $25.49
It’s essential to remember that these initial costs do not include booster shots, which are required every one to three years to maintain immunity. Fortunately, there are local low-cost or free clinics, as well as animal shelters, that often charge less for vaccines.
Dr. Jamie Richardson, D.V.M., emphasizes the importance of timely vaccination and booster shots for puppies due to their underdeveloped immune systems, which make them particularly vulnerable to diseases. The following is a general guideline for when puppies need booster shots:
– Canine Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza: One dose within a year after the last initial series dose, followed by boosters every three years.
– Rabies: Boosters every one to three years, depending on state law.
– Leptospirosis and Lyme disease: One dose within a year after the last initial series dose, followed by annual boosters.
– Bordetella: Annual boosters.
– Influenza: One dose within a year after the last initial series dose, followed by annual boosters.
– Western diamondback rattlesnake toxoid: Annual boosters after the initial series.
In addition to vaccinations, deworming is another critical aspect of puppy health. According to Dr. Michael Thompson, D.V.M., deworming should begin as early as two weeks old and be continued based on the puppy’s exposure to parasites.
For parvovirus protection, it is recommended that puppies receive at least three doses (sometimes more) of a combo vaccine between 6 to 16 weeks of age, spaced approximately two to four weeks apart. By the age of 16 weeks, puppies should have received their last set of puppy vaccines, with subsequent boosters administered annually to maintain their immunity.