By
Jacqueline
Good health is as important in pets as it is in humans. So apart from providing food and shelter, you’ll also need to keep your pet vaccinated. Vaccines are biological preparations administered to healthy pets to provide active acquired immunity against infectious and fatal diseases. Unfortunately, some conditions have no cure, and the only way to counter them is through vaccinations.
To make sure your pet stays healthy, you’ll need to get them vaccinated. Obtaining a vaccination schedule from your local veterinarian will help you plan for the vaccinations.
What Is A Dog Vaccination Schedule?
A dog vaccination schedule is a vaccine program prepared by your vet to help you remember when your dog needs a vaccine. The schedule also lets you know the types of vaccines your dog will receive within the given period and their specific intervals.
Types of Vaccines
Vaccines are grouped into two broad categories; core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are administered to all dogs and puppies, while non-core vaccines are given according to your lifestyle.
Core vaccines
Core vaccines are essential to all canines according to the severity of the disease, risk of exposure, and the probability of transmission to other dogs/animals and human beings. Core vaccines include:
- DHP/DAP: this is a combined vaccine for Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), and Parvovirus.
- Rabies: rabies vaccination is required by law, and different states direct the age and intervals of administration.
Canine distemper
Canine distemper is an acute and contagious disease caused by the paramyxovirus. The virus infects the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the nervous and respiratory systems of the dog. Distemper is transmitted via sneezing and coughing droplets from an infected animal but can also occur through contaminated food & water bowls and equipment.
Symptoms of distemper include eye and nose discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, coughing, twitching, seizures and paralysis. Distemper has no cure, but supportive care is required to ease symptoms and prevent secondary infections.
Canine hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is a highly infectious disease caused by Canine adenovirus-1, which infects the liver, spleen, lungs, eyes, and kidneys of the dog. Symptoms include jaundice, vomiting, stomach enlargement, liver pain, and slight fever. The disease is not curable, but vets can treat the resulting symptoms. Although many dogs recover from the mild form, the severe form is fatal.
Canine parvovirus (CPV)
Parvo is a highly infectious viral disease that targets all dogs. Puppies between six weeks and four months of age have a higher risk of infection as well as non-vaccinated adult dogs. CPV is closely linked to feline panleukopenia (FPV) which infects cats, mink, and other animals. Parvo causes severe gastrointestinal infections in puppies.
Other symptoms include refusing food, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and acute dehydration, which can cause death in two or three days. Treatment of symptoms and constant hydration are the necessary measures to save dogs lives.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system of animals and humans. The virus is conveyed via a bite from a rabid animal, and its symptoms include headaches, excessive drooling, paralysis, hydrophobia, and death. A rabies vaccination for you dog is required by law.
Non-core vaccines
Non-core vaccines are essential as they protect pets against infectious diseases. Non-core vaccines include those to protect against the following diseases.
Lyme disease
Lyme is an infectious and zoonotic disease caused by spirochete bacteria transmitted via tick bites. If an infected tick bites a dog or a person, both will contract the disease. Lyme disease localizes in joints or kidneys. Common symptoms include swollen joints, lameness, and fever. Treatment is with antibiotics, but relapses can occur.
Canine influenza
Canine influenza (dog flu) is a contagious disease in dogs caused by canine influenza viruses. Canine influenza is non-zoonotic, and its symptoms include coughing, running nose, weight loss, lethargy, eye discharge, and fever. Some dogs can be asymptomatic to the disease, which can develop into pneumonia and eventually cause death. However, recovery often occurs two or three weeks after treatment.
Bordetella
Bordetella is an extremely contagious respiratory disease in dogs and cats caused by the bacteria Bordetella Bronchiseptica. It inflames the bronchi and trachea, leading to symptoms such as coughing and vomiting. It can cause death on rare occasions. Bordetella is also a major cause of kennel cough.
Canine parainfluenza
Canine parainfluenza is an airborne disease caused by the canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV). Although its symptoms are similar to those of canine influenza, the causative viruses are not related and need different vaccines for protection. Parainfluenza is one of the major causative agents of kennel cough.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria. It is rare in cats, but dogs are commonly affected. Transmission occurs when your dog has an open wound that comes into contact with contaminated water, food, urine, bedding, or soil. Some dogs are asymptomatic to the disease, but others have inflamed eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, jaundice, and kidney failure.
Your veterinarian may require lab tests to diagnose the extent of the disease in your pet’s body. You can treat leptospirosis with antibiotics. It is best to have your at-risk dog vaccinated annually to keep it safe.
When To Start Dog Vaccinations
Dog vaccinations begin at the puppy stage after weaning. The first vaccination is done when your puppy is 6 – 8 weeks old. After the first dose, puppies will need at least one booster, and with some regimes they need vaccinations every three weeks until they are 16 weeks of age when they receive their final vaccines.
Generally, puppies need a series of vaccinations in their first year of life as they are more susceptible to dangerous diseases than adult dogs. Puppy vaccinations have been proven to tackle many preventable diseases, keeping the puppies healthy and happy for life.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
It is essential to ask your veterinarian first since your dog’s risk of exposure, and geographical location may require you to have a different schedule. The table below is a general guideline for a first year puppy vaccination schedule.
| Puppy’s age | Vaccinations |
| 6-8 weeks | Compulsory – DHP Optional – Bordetella, Parainfluenza |
| 10-12 weeks | Recommended – DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza) Optional – Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Canine influenza, and Lyme disease as per your lifestyle |
| 14-16 weeks | Recommended – DHPP, Rabies Optional – Leptospirosis, Lyme disease |
| 16-18 weeks | Recommended – Rabies, DHPP Optional – Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Canine influenza, and Bordetella per your lifestyle |
| 12-16 months | Recommended – Rabies, DHPP Optional – Bordetella, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, and Coronavirus |
| Every 1 to 2 years | Recommended – DHPP Optional – Bordetella, Leptospirosis, and Coronavirus |
| Every 1 to 3 years | Recommended – Rabies (required by law) |
Dog Vaccination Schedule
The maturity of puppies into adult dogs occurs at different times. For example, some breeds mature at nine months, while others may take up to 15 months. After completing the puppy vaccine schedule, your adult dog will receive a vaccine booster every 3 years and other times as recommended by your vet.
| Vaccine | First Booster | Ongoing Schedule |
| Rabies booster | One year after 1st vaccination | Every 3 years |
| DHPP booster | One year after the final puppy dose | At two years, then every 3 years |
| DHP booster | One year after the final puppy dose | Every 3 years |
| Kennel cough booster | Needed if your dog interacts with other dogs | Annual |
How To Monitor Your Dog’s Health
Weight
Measuring your dog’s weight can help you monitor its growth and health since illnesses can cause weight loss. Use a portable digital scale to get accurate measurements.
Temperature
It is not easy to detect fever in your dog. Thus periodic measurement of their body temperature can help you know when your dog needs a vet. Use a thermometer approved for use on dogs.
You can operate the pet-temp thermometer at home. It gives an accurate reading of your dog’s temperature very quickly.
Side Effects Of Dog Vaccinations
It is essential to have your dog or puppy vaccinated when you have time to monitor them. Severe reactions to dog vaccines are occasional, but side effects can occur. Common side-effects include loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, swelling at the injected part, and sluggishness.
Although vaccinations have side effects, their benefits outweigh their risks. Additionally, side effects are usually mild and easily combated by your dog’s immune system.
Establishing A Dog Vaccination Schedule
You can create a puppy vaccination schedule on your first visit to the vet. You can create an adult dog vaccination schedule upon completing the puppy vaccination schedule or when you receive an adult or adolescent dog into your home.
If you observe your dog vaccination schedule, your dog will be protected and remain healthy and happy. Not only that, but some pet insurance policies require that you keep up to date with vaccines.
You should update your veterinarian about your dog’s lifestyle and when you need to travel. This enables them to vaccinate your dog accordingly, especially to ensure you fulfill the rabies vaccine requirements of the place you will be visiting.
Final Thoughts
Breastfeeding puppies have passive immunity from their mother’s antibodies and milk. After weaning though, puppies require a series of vaccinations to protect them against dangerous diseases. Mature dogs that completed their puppy vaccination schedule require annual boosters to keep them immune to these diseases.
Vaccinating your dogs and puppies keeps them healthy and also prevents you from contracting zoonotic diseases. You can use thermometers and scales to monitor your pet’s temperature and weight and detect unusual changes. This helps you work with your veterinarian to keep your pet at optimal health.