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Dog Vaccination Guidelines: Getting a Smart Start to Life-Long Health

By: Dr. K. Paul Rumble

Our canine friends, just like humans are susceptible to illness and disease. With new strains of viruses developing daily it is imperative to keep your furry friends safe and strong. Veterinary clinics do their very best to provide the necessary preventative services to maintain your pet’s health.

Protecting your dog’s well being with the essential vaccines from an early age is a vital aspect to pet care. Puppies become at risk for disease after the immunity they received from their mother’s milk wears off. At this point (anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks old) a puppy should be administered a series of vaccinations so that its own immune system can produce antibodies against diseases.

The Recommended Must-Have Vaccines

The majority of pet clinics suggest vaccinating your puppy at 6 to 8 weeks of age with a combination vaccination. This injection includes the inoculations for hepatitis, distemper, parinfluenza and parvovirus. This vaccine should be given monthly until the puppy is 16 weeks or older.

At 12 weeks of age, your dog should be given its Rabies vaccine. This vaccine is required by state law. (The age requirement for the Rabies vaccine varies based on a state’s rules and regulations).

Vaccinations for illnesses such as leptospirosis, Lyme disease and kennel cough can be given based on the individual dog’s risk of exposure.

Considerations Specific to your Pet

Many factors come into play when deciding whether or not to inoculate your canine for particular diseases:

• The specific breed of dog (some breeds are more vulnerable to illness than others)
• The area where your pup roams…is it a heavily wooded area? If so, a leptosporosis and Lyme vaccine should be considered.
• Does your dog spend a significant amount of time at the kennel? If so, you may be required to have your dog inoculated for kennel cough and leptosporosis.
• Is your canine popular? Does he hang around other dogs often? Then think about getting your pet vaccinated for leptospirosis.
• Has there been an outbreak of a certain disease in your area? (Canine influenza-H3N8 is a now a problem in Florida and is expected to move north). In this case, you’re going to want to take preventive care of your pet that is specific to the situation at hand. Contact your family veterinarian or animal health authorities for pertinent information.
• Is your dog elderly? If so your pet may have a compromised immune system. Your dog may not as easily fight off disease, but at the same time, may react more strongly to vaccinations. Weigh the risks and benefits with your vet.
• Is your dog diabetic? Many canines suffer from diabetes and veterinary clinics vary on their opinions on vaccinating diabetic dogs. Some believe its best to give your pet the recommended shots, while others say to stay away from all vaccines. It’s best to consult your veterinarian; perhaps your dog doesn’t suffer as intensely from the disease as others and it will be okay to give your furry friend the necessary inoculations.

Advice from your veterinary service should also be heavily considered. Remember to keep current medical records for your pet and update your dog’s information each time he receives a vaccine.

Travel Buddies

Maybe you’re thinking of making Sparky your newest travel companion, but don’t forget each state, or country you visit has its own animal import requirements. When traveling in the United States, each state has its own regulations. Most states just want to make sure your pup has had a recent rabies shot. Contact the state’s animal department on the rules and regulations of traveling with your pet across state lines.

When traveling with your dog across the great Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, the pet importation rules vary for each country. Most European countries are the same and want your canine to be vaccinated for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis and rabies. Your dog may also need a microchip implanted. A rabies certificate and an EU Vet Health Certificate need to be filled out by your accredited veterinarian before traveling. These documents must travel with your canine at all times.

Plenty of specific information on the rules and regulations of traveling with your pet internationally is available on the internet via government websites or pet relocation services.

All of your vaccine and disease questions can be answered by a qualified veterinarian. Whenever possible, develop a relationship with your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for the life of your pet to ensure the most well rounded and informed pet vaccination advice.

About the Author:

K. Paul Rumble D.V.M is a 1969 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and has been associated with Pond Point Animal Hospital since 1985. His special interests include dermatology, orthopedics and internal medicine. He has been a member of the Rotary since 1974 and his interests outside of veterinary medicine include gardening, traveling, biking and running (marathons). Dr. Rumble is director of the Pond Point Animal Hospital located in Milford, Connecticut which provides comprehensive pet health care including preventive vaccinations, emergency services, hospitalization, surgery, boarding, pet supplies and a convenient drop off service.

For more information, visit www.pondpoint.com or call (203)878-4646. Email the author at kpr@pondpoint.com.

About The Author.

K. Paul Rumble D.V.M is a 1969 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and has been associated with Pond Point Animal Hospital since 1985. His special interests include dermatology, orthopedics and internal medicine. He has been a member of the Rotary since 1974 and his interests outside of veterinary medicine include gardening, traveling, biking and running (marathons). Dr. Rumble is director of the Pond Point Animal Hospital located in Milford, Connecticut which provides comprehensive pet health care including preventive vaccinations, emergency services, hospitalization, surgery, boarding, pet supplies and a convenient drop off service.

For more information, visit www.pondpoint.com or call (203)878-4646. Email the author at kpr@pondpoint.com.

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