All About Vaccines

**What Are Vaccines?** Vaccines are essential tools in protecting your pet's health and well-being. They work by stimulating your pet’s immune system to recognize and fight off specific diseases, reducing the risk of serious illness. From core vaccines like rabies and distemper to lifestyle-specific ones, vaccines play a vital role in preventing contagious diseases and safeguarding not just your pet but the entire community. At Loving Care Veterinary Hospital, we tailor vaccination plans to meet your pet’s unique needs, ensuring they stay healthy and protected throughout their lives.

Core Vaccines for Dogs

Rabies

The rabies vaccine is a vital immunization designed to protect your dog from rabies, a deadly viral disease that affects the brain and nervous system. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites. The vaccine works by preparing your dog’s immune system to recognize and combat the virus if exposed, effectively preventing the disease.

Rabies vaccination is not only essential for your dog’s health but also required by law in most regions to protect public safety. It is administered as part of your dog’s routine care, starting as early as 12-16 weeks of age, with booster shots given at regular intervals as recommended by your veterinarian.

Distemper

The distemper vaccine protects dogs from canine distemper, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. Canine distemper affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, leading to symptoms such as fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even paralysis.

The vaccine works by stimulating your dog’s immune system to recognize and defend against the virus. It is typically part of a combination vaccine called the DHPP or DAPP, which also protects against other diseases like parvovirus and adenovirus.

Puppies should receive their first distemper vaccine as early as 6-8 weeks of age, followed by booster shots at regular intervals during their first year. Adult dogs require periodic boosters to maintain immunity. Vaccinating your dog against distemper is a simple yet powerful step in ensuring their long-term health and well-being.

Recommended Vaccines for Dogs

Leptospirosis (Lepto)

The leptospirosis vaccine protects dogs from leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria. This disease can spread through contact with contaminated water, soil, or urine from infected animals. Leptospirosis can affect your dog’s kidneys, liver, and other organs, potentially leading to severe illness or even death. It’s also a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.

It’s particularly recommended for dogs that spend time outdoors, near bodies of water, or in areas with high wildlife populations. Puppies can start their leptospirosis vaccine series at around 8-12 weeks of age, followed by boosters as needed to maintain immunity. Protecting your dog from leptospirosis is not only crucial for their health but also helps safeguard your family.

Lyme

The Lyme vaccine helps protect dogs from Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This disease is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged (deer) ticks and can cause symptoms like fever, joint pain, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, and kidney damage.

While the Lyme vaccine is not 100% preventative, it is an important layer of protection, especially for dogs living in or traveling to areas where ticks are prevalent.

Puppies can typically receive their first Lyme vaccine at 12 weeks of age, with a booster given 2-4 weeks later. Annual boosters are recommended for ongoing protection. Combined with tick prevention methods, the Lyme vaccine is a key part of keeping your dog healthy and safe from tick-borne diseases.

Bordetellla

The Bordetella vaccine helps protect dogs from Bordetella bronchiseptica, a common bacterial cause of kennel cough—a highly contagious respiratory infection. Kennel cough can lead to symptoms such as a persistent cough, nasal discharge, lethargy, and in severe cases, pneumonia.

It’s especially important for dogs that frequent boarding facilities, dog parks, grooming salons, or other areas with high canine interaction.

The Bordetella vaccine can be given as an injection, nasal spray, or oral dose. Puppies can receive it as early as 6-8 weeks old, with boosters recommended every 6-12 months depending on their risk level. Vaccinating against Bordetella helps keep your dog healthy and ensures they can safely enjoy social environments.

Influenza

The canine influenza vaccine protects dogs from canine influenza virus (CIV), a contagious respiratory disease caused by two strains: H3N8 and H3N2. Symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, and reduced appetite. While rarely fatal, it can lead to severe complications like pneumonia.

It’s particularly recommended for dogs that interact with other dogs in settings like boarding facilities, dog parks, daycare, or grooming salons.

The vaccine is typically given in two doses, spaced 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annual boosters to maintain immunity. Protecting your dog with the influenza vaccine is a smart choice to help prevent illness and ensure they stay active and healthy.