Canine Vaccinations Decoded

Do you ever feel confused when you take your dog to the vet and receive the news that he is due for his DAPP, Rabies and Bordetella booster? Do you wish that you knew what each of these vaccines protects against, whether they are necessary and how often you should give them? Well, at the end of this little article, I hope I will have uncovered some of the mystery surrounding canine vaccinations.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), there are two types of vaccinations - those they consider core vaccines and those that are considered non-core. Core vaccines should be given to every dog no matter lifestyle or locations where the dog may live. These include rabies, distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus. Non-core vaccines are given when and if a dog can become infected with a disease due to it's lifestyle or the area of the country where he/she lives or visits. These include bordetella (or kennel cough), Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. Other vaccines that may be given include parainfluenza, hepatitis, and coronavirus.

AAHA recommends that puppies receive an entire schedule of vaccines including boosters periodically during their first year of life to build the immune system. Your veterinarian can recommend the best vaccine schedule for your puppy.

After year one, AAHA recommends that all vaccines be repeated at the puppy's first annual checkup. Thereafter, vaccines for parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza and coronavirus can be given every three years. Each city or state determines how often the rabies vaccine should be given. In the Austin area there are different rules depending on what city or county you live in. In Travis county, rabies vaccines can be given every 3 years, once it can be shown that a dog has received two rabies vaccines one year apart.

In other words, if you adopt an older dog with an unknown vaccine history, your dog will need to receive a rabies vaccine when he is adopted (if he hasn't already) and a another one a year later, before your dog can move to the 3 year schedule. It is recommended that this approach be taken for all of the remaining core vaccines as well. When you adopt a dog from HOTLR, you will receive a vaccination record for your new dog. Make an appointment with your veterinarian within the first few weeks of adopting to introduce your new dog to the vet and to transfer the medical records you have been given to your veterinarian. You may discuss with him/her at that time the approach you decide to take regarding your new dog's vaccination schedule.

Here is a short description of each of the canine diseases that most veterinarians vaccinate against:

Core Diseases:

Rabies - deadly virus that affects the nervous system and is fatal. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva and most often through bite wounds. Rabies causes paralysis, manic and aggressive behavior before death. Rabies can be transmitted to humans.

Distemper - also a deadly virus characterized by discharge from the nose and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, labored or difficult breathing, and seizures. Some dogs may develop hardened or thickened foot pads and chronic encephalitis Distemper is transferred through direct contact with secretions, urine or feces from an infected dog. There is known cure.

Adenovirus - Two strains CAV-1 and CAV-2. CAV-1 causes canine infectious hepatitis and attacks the liver. Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, coughing, fever and vomiting. The cornea of the eyes can become cloudy or "bluish". This disease attacks the liver and kidneys. It is spread through the nasal secretions, saliva, blood, urine and feces of an infected animal. CAV-2 presents as a respiratory infection. There is no cure and treatment is largely supportive. Death can occur without warning. Though dogs can recover from this disease, it can lead lesions on the kidneys and permanent damage to the cornea.

Parvovirus - is a virus found mostly in puppies although adult dogs can get it too. It is highly infectious. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea often with blood, high fever and dehydration. Again, treatment is supportive including 24 hospitalization with intravenous fluids. There is a high mortality rate in young puppies. The virus is spead through contact with feces and can survive on inanimate objects for months.

Coronavirus - another less serious virus that affects puppies. Coronavirus causes diarrhea, however vomiting is rarely associated with the disease. Because it is difficult to differentiate between parvovirus and coronavirus except through labratory testing, it is sometimes mistaken for parvo. While death may still occur, death rates are much lower than with parvo.

Canine Infectious Hepatitis - see adenovirus

Non Core:

Leptospirosis - This disease has recently reemerged after many years in the background of infectious diseases as populations have begun to move into former agricultural and forested areas. This disease is spread by contact with urine of an affected animal and can be transmitted through contaminated water sources including those where cattle or other animals may frequent. Dogs can get lepto through contact with urine from many wild animals including many of those that may visit your backyard (squirrels, raccoons, skunks, etc.) The disease attacks the liver and kidneys of the animal and while most dogs due recover within several days, the disease can continue to be shed in their urine for several weeks. This disease is contagious to humans. Dogs that camp, hike, swim or spend any amount of time outdoors are good candidates for this vaccine.

Parainfluenza - one of many viruses known to cause infectious tracheobronchitis or "kennel cough". Dogs may exhibit discharge from the nose and eyes as well as a dry, hacking cough. Sometimes a dog will gag from the force of the cough. This disease is highly infectious and while symptoms can disappear within 6 - 10 days, an infected dog can shed the virus for up to 14 weeks.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough) - highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause tracheitis, bronchitis, or laryngitis. It may be caused by a combination of bacteria and/or viruses and/or mycoplasms. Symptoms include discharge from the nose and eyes, a dry cough, swollen lymph nodes and possibly a fever. Dogs that are often in boarding kennels, dog shows or other places with a large dog population should be vaccinated regularly. Your vet can make the best recommendation for your dog and his/her lifestyle.

Lyme disease- tick borne disease caused by a bacteria carried by the common deer tick. Symptoms may not appear until 2 to 5 months after the infected tick bite. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, lameness and joint swelling. Severe kidney disease appears in a few cases and can be fatal. This disease is usually treated with antibiotics although antibiotic treatment is recommended for up to 30 days. This vaccine is recommended for dogs that are exposed to areas with heavy infestations of the deer tick. These occur mostly in the northeast United States, however, cases have been reported in the Austin area.

Again, should you have questions regarding your dog's vaccinations, it is best to have a discussion with your veterinarian to understand which vaccines and how often your dog should be vaccinated.