Trevor James
Vaccinations are an essential part of maintaining the overall health of your pets. While rabies is required by law in most states, other vaccines such as distemper and bordetella are also crucial in protecting your pets from serious diseases. Distemper is often administered as a combination vaccine, protecting your pet from other deadly viruses. Bordetella, on the other hand, is a non-core vaccine that helps prevent kennel cough, which is highly contagious among dogs in close quarters. The decision to vaccinate your pet depends on their lifestyle and risk of exposure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distemper vaccine | Canine distemper is a serious, highly contagious disease with a high death rate. It attacks the respiratory, digestive, and brain/nervous systems of dogs. |
| Bordetella vaccine | Bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough in dogs, which is an inflammation of the upper respiratory system. It is usually spread in areas where large numbers of dogs are confined, and is required for dogs that attend dog daycare, boarding kennels, shows, dog parks, or training classes. |
| Rabies vaccine | A viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals and is fatal if untreated. It is transmitted from animal-to-animal or animal-to-human through the bite of an infected animal. Required by law in most states. |
| Leptospirosis vaccine | Spread by coming into contact with the bodily fluids of infected wildlife and other animals. Common in tropical and subtropical climates, especially in wetlands, marshes, and saturated pastures. |
| Core vaccines | Recommended for all dogs, irrespective of lifestyle, unless there is a specific medical reason not to vaccinate. Examples include canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parvovirus type 2, and rabies. |
| Non-core vaccines | Recommended for some dogs based on lifestyle, geographic location, and risk of exposure. Examples include canine leptospirosis vaccine, canine Bordetella vaccine, and canine Lyme vaccine. |
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What You'll Learn
Kennel cough
The Bordetella vaccine is a non-core vaccine that is usually given to dogs that are frequently exposed to other dogs in social settings. Many canine facilities require dogs to have the vaccine before they are allowed on the premises. The vaccine can be administered through injection, orally, or intranasally. It is important to note that even vaccinated dogs can still get kennel cough from other sources, so owners should be aware of the symptoms and take their dog to the veterinarian if they exhibit any signs of the disease.
To prevent the spread of kennel cough, it is recommended to keep infected dogs away from other dogs for at least two weeks after they have stopped coughing. Using a dog harness instead of a collar can also help reduce irritation to the tracheal area. Vaccination is another important prevention method, and the canine distemper combination vaccine often includes protection against other serious diseases.
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Rabies
Vaccination against the rabies virus is required by law in most states and jurisdictions. Puppies receive their initial rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age, with boosters at 1 year and 2 years. The 3-year rabies vaccine can be given in the second year if the pet has received its previous vaccines on schedule. The length of time the vaccine lasts can depend on the manufacturer, and veterinarians will advise on the best schedule. The rabies vaccine is typically administered to pets in a separate injection at the same time as other vaccines. It can also be given alone or at the same time as other vaccines such as the Lyme disease vaccine.
There are two main types of vaccines for domesticated animals and pets: inactivated rabies virus administered by injection, and modified live viruses administered orally. Oral rabies vaccines have been trialled on feral/stray dogs in areas with high rabies incidence, but have not yet been deployed for dogs at a large scale. Oral rabies vaccination programs have been used in many countries to control the spread of rabies and limit human contact with the virus.
Pre-exposure immunization is recommended for anyone at continual, frequent, or increased risk of exposure to the rabies virus, either due to their residence or occupation. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended for anyone who has been exposed to a suspected rabid animal. This includes wound treatment, the administration of rabies vaccines, and, if indicated, the administration of rabies immunoglobulin. All cases of suspected rabies exposure should be treated immediately to prevent the onset of clinical symptoms and death.
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Parvo
The parvovirus vaccine is included in a combination vaccine that also protects dogs from other common canine viruses. This vaccine is considered "core", and is recommended for all dogs. Puppies younger than 16 weeks should receive their first dose at between 6 and 8 weeks of age, followed by two more doses 2-4 weeks apart. Dogs older than 16 weeks with no previous vaccination history should receive two doses 2-4 weeks apart. A booster dose of the combination vaccine is recommended within one year after the last dose in the initial vaccination series, and boosters are then recommended every three years.
If a dog has parvo, they will usually start to show symptoms within three to seven days of infection. The early signs of parvo include lethargy, loss of weight and appetite, and diarrhoea followed by vomiting. Diarrhoea and vomiting can result in dehydration, which upsets the dog's electrolyte balance and may critically affect them. In very young puppies, parvo can also infect the heart, causing inflammation of the heart muscle, poor heart function, and arrhythmias. When parvo infects the bone marrow, it attacks the young immune cells, leading to a drop in protective white blood cells.
Treatment for parvo often involves veterinary hospitalization, where supportive care is provided to correct dehydration and physiological imbalances caused by vomiting and diarrhoea, control nausea and pain, keep the dog warm, prevent other infections, and provide nutritional support. Additional treatment may be recommended to help fight the infection and/or combat diarrhoea. However, even with hospitalization, there is no guarantee that the dog will survive.
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Adenovirus
The DA2PPC vaccine, which stands for Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Coronavirus, helps protect dogs against adenovirus. This vaccine is considered a core vaccination and is recommended for all dogs. Puppies are typically given the vaccine at 6–8 weeks of age, followed by boosters at 10–12 weeks and 14–16 weeks of age. Another booster is given at 1 year, and then annually or every 3 years, depending on local and national laws.
The DA2PPC vaccine provides cross-protection against both adenovirus types 1 and 2. While A2 causes kennel cough, A1 is the more pathogenic strain and causes canine infectious hepatitis. The DA2PPC vaccine is important because it helps prevent the spread of these diseases and protects dogs from serious illness.
In addition to the DA2PPC vaccine, there are other vaccines available that protect against adenovirus. For example, the DAPP, DA2PP, DHPP, and DAPPC vaccines all cover adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis) in addition to distemper and parvovirus. The DAPPC vaccine also includes protection against coronavirus. These vaccines are not the same as the DA2PPC vaccine, but they provide protection against similar diseases.
Oral adenovirus-vectored vaccines have also been developed and tested in mice, showing promising results for immunizing against canine distemper in wildlife carnivores. However, creating this type of vaccine is challenging due to the high host specificity of adenoviruses and their low replication rates in non-target species.
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Frequency of vaccines
The frequency of vaccines for dogs varies depending on the type of vaccine, the age of the dog, and the dog's lifestyle. Here is some information about the frequency of the distemper and bordetella vaccines:
Bordetella Vaccine
The bordetella vaccine is a non-core vaccine that helps protect dogs from contracting Bordetella bronchiseptica, the most common bacterial agent responsible for kennel cough. Kennel cough is a highly contagious illness that causes inflammation of the upper respiratory system, leading to coughing and a runny nose. While it is typically not life-threatening in healthy adult dogs, it can be fatal in puppies, older dogs, and unhealthy dogs.
The frequency of the bordetella vaccine depends on the dog's exposure to other dogs. Adult dogs that frequently interact with other dogs in boarding or social settings should receive a booster every six to twelve months. Many canine facilities, such as dog daycare centers, boarding kennels, dog parks, and training classes, require dogs to have proof of the bordetella vaccination every six months. However, if a dog primarily stays at home and has minimal contact with other dogs, the booster can be given annually.
Distemper Vaccine
The distemper vaccine is considered a core vaccine and is typically given in combination with other vaccines, such as the hepatitis (canine adenovirus-2 and -1), parvovirus, and parainfluenza vaccines. The frequency of this vaccine varies, with some sources recommending vaccination every three years, while others suggest a yearly schedule. Puppies are usually vaccinated three times as a puppy, once at 12 to 16 weeks of age, again at one year, and then every three years. However, some veterinarians may recommend a different schedule depending on the dog's individual risk factors and lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bordetella vaccine is a non-core vaccine that helps to reduce the risk of your dog contracting kennel cough, a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the upper respiratory system. Kennel cough is highly contagious and can lead to fatal bronchopneumonia in puppies.
No, the Bordetella vaccine is usually given to dogs that are frequently exposed to other dogs in boarding or social settings. Many canine facilities, such as dog daycare centres, require dogs to have the vaccine.
The Distemper vaccine is a core vaccine that helps to protect dogs against the canine distemper virus, a serious and highly contagious disease with a high death rate.
Yes, all dogs should receive the Distemper vaccine unless there is a specific medical reason not to vaccinate.
The Bordetella vaccine is typically given every six months, while the Distemper vaccine is usually given every three years. However, the frequency of vaccination may vary depending on your dog's age, lifestyle, and individual disease risk.
