Core vaccines are vital to the health and well-being of your furry friend. These vaccines protect against severe and often fatal diseases that can affect dogs of all ages.
What are Core Vaccinations?
Core vaccines are those that every dog, regardless of lifestyle or geographic location, should receive. They protect against diseases that are:
- Highly Contagious: Easily spread between dogs.
- Severe: Can cause significant illness, long-term health problems, or death.
- Widespread: Found in most regions.
- Potentially Zoonotic: In some cases, transmissible to humans.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and other veterinary organizations have established guidelines identifying these essential vaccines.
The Core Canine Vaccines:
- Canine Parvovirus (CPV):
- The Disease: Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract of puppies and young dogs. It causes severe vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), lethargy, and dehydration. Parvo can be fatal, especially in unvaccinated puppies.
- Importance: Vaccination is extremely effective in preventing parvovirus infection and significantly reduces the severity of illness if a vaccinated dog becomes infected.
- Typical Vaccination Schedule: A series of vaccinations starting between 6-8 weeks of age and given every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks of age, followed by a booster at one year and then every 3 years or as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV):
- The Disease: Distemper is a serious and contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Symptoms can include fever, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, paralysis, and neurological damage. Distemper is often fatal.
- Importance: Vaccination provides strong protection against this devastating disease.
- Typical Vaccination Schedule: Part of the same series as parvovirus, starting between 6-8 weeks of age and given every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks of age, followed by a booster at one year and then every 3 years or as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Canine Adenovirus (CAV):
- The Disease: Adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) causes infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), a severe disease affecting the liver, kidneys, eyes, and lining of blood vessels. Symptoms can range from mild fever and lethargy to jaundice, vomiting, and death. Adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is a component of the kennel cough complex, causing respiratory illness.
- Importance: The vaccine typically protects against both CAV-1 and CAV-2, preventing both hepatitis and contributing to the prevention of kennel cough.
- Typical Vaccination Schedule: Included in the combination vaccine with distemper and parvovirus, following the same schedule: starting between 6-8 weeks of age and given every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks of age, followed by a booster at one year and then every 3 years or as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Rabies Virus:
- The Disease: Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including dogs and humans. It is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies can cause a variety of neurological symptoms, including changes in behavior, aggression, paralysis, and ultimately death.
- Importance: Rabies vaccination is crucial for protecting your dog and preventing the spread of this deadly zoonotic disease to humans and other animals. In New York, and many areas, rabies vaccination is legally required.
- Typical Vaccination Schedule: Typically given as a single dose between 12-16 weeks of age, with a booster one year later, and then boosters every 1 or 3 years depending on the type of vaccine used and local regulations.
- Leptospirosis:
- The Disease: Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial infection in dogs caused by Leptospira bacteria. These bacteria are often found in contaminated water (puddles, lakes, streams, ponds) and soil, and are shed in the urine of infected animals like wildlife (raccoons, skunks, opossums, rodents, deer) and farm animals. Dogs can contract the disease through direct contact with contaminated water, soil, or the urine of infected animals, especially through mucous membranes or open wounds.
- Importance: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease and can be transmitted to humans from infected animals. Leptospirosis can lead to acute kidney failure, liver failure and bleeding disorders which can be fatal in both animals and humans. While no vaccine offers 100% protection against all strains, the leptospirosis vaccine protects against the most common serovars.
- Typical Vaccination Schedule: An initial series of two vaccinations, typically spaced 3-4 weeks apart, is usually recommended, starting as early as 8-12 weeks of age. This is followed by annual booster shots to maintain immunity.
Why are Core Vaccinations So Important?
- Protecting Your Dog’s Health: Core vaccines are the most effective way to prevent your dog from contracting these serious and potentially fatal diseases. Vaccinated dogs are far less likely to get sick, and if they do, their illness is often milder and shorter in duration.
- Preventing the Spread of Disease: By vaccinating your dog, you are not only protecting them but also helping to create “herd immunity” within the canine population. This means that a high percentage of vaccinated dogs in a community helps to protect even those that are too young or unable to be vaccinated.
- Protecting Public Health: Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Rabies vaccination in dogs is a critical component of public health efforts to prevent human rabies cases, which are almost always fatal.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that your dog is protected against these core diseases provides significant peace of mind for you as a responsible pet owner.
- Requirements for Travel and Boarding: Many boarding facilities, doggy daycare centers, and even some travel destinations require proof of current core vaccinations for your dog to participate.
When Should Your Dog Be Vaccinated?
Puppies receive antibodies from their mother’s milk, which provide temporary protection. However, these maternal antibodies wane over time, leaving the puppy vulnerable. Therefore, a series of puppy vaccinations is necessary to build their own immunity.
The typical vaccination schedule for puppies involves multiple doses given a few weeks apart, starting around 6-8 weeks of age and continuing until around 16-20 weeks of age. This ensures that they are protected as their maternal antibodies decrease.
Adult dogs require booster vaccinations to maintain their immunity. The frequency of booster shots for most core vaccines is typically every 1 or 3 years, depending on the specific vaccine and your veterinarian’s recommendations. Rabies booster schedules may vary based on local regulations and the type of vaccine used.
Consult Your Veterinarian:
The best vaccination schedule for your dog will depend on several factors, including their age, health status, lifestyle, and the prevalence of diseases in our area It is crucial to consult with your veterinarian to discuss your dog’s individual needs and ensure they receive the appropriate core vaccinations and any necessary non-core vaccines based on their risk factors.
Don’t wait to protect your beloved companion! Schedule a vaccination appointment with Dr. Tim or Dr. Val today to ensure they are shielded from these preventable and dangerous diseases.