Vaccines are a simple but powerful protection for your dog’s health. Unfortunately, because vaccination is frequently misunderstood and false information abounds in the human medical realm, some dog owners are skeptical about vaccinating their four-legged friend. 

To help you understand the critical role vaccines play in your dog’s wellness, the Stanton Pet Hospital team has prepared this guide to explain canine vaccines.

How vaccines protect your dog

Infectious diseases and viruses are an unavoidable part of life. Pathogens exist naturally in the environment and can be easily transmitted from dog to dog through respiratory secretions, contact with body fluids or waste, and bites. Some viruses and diseases can also be contracted from infected wildlife.

Vaccines protect your dog by injecting into the body a small, inactive (i.e., harmless) portion of a pathogen that stimulates the immune system to build protective antibodies against a specific disease (e.g., canine distemper, influenza, rabies). Then, if your vaccinated dog encounters the real pathogen, their body will mount a protective defense and eliminate the virus or disease before any damage is done.

Vaccine safety for dogs

Vaccines are considered extremely safe for dogs and puppies. Occasional complications or side effects can occur, but they are minimal and generally in the form of an allergic reaction. Fortunately, allergic reactions usually occur soon after vaccination and our Stanton Pet Hospital team can provide follow-up treatment, such as a steroid or antihistamine injection and pain relievers.   

Puppy vaccination schedule

Owners often wonder why their new puppy needs so many vaccines. Puppies are born with a certain amount of protective immunity that they inherit from their mother, but the protection fades as the puppy’s immune system develops. Because measuring the decline of maternal immunity is not possible, puppies need core vaccines at regular three- to four-week intervals until they are 16 weeks old.

Your dog’s vaccine protocol

Many vaccines are available for puppies and dogs, but those that your dog’s Stanton Pet Hospital veterinarian recommends will depend on your dog’s life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, senior), health, lifestyle, and exposure risk.

Vaccines are generally divided into core and elective categories based on their importance to canine and human health and safety. Core vaccines are required by law or local ordinance (e.g., rabies vaccine) or pet-friendly establishments, such as boarding, grooming, and training facilities, to prevent disease outbreaks.

Core vaccines include:

  • Distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis) parvovirus, and parainfluenza — This vaccine is a combination vaccine also known as DHPP.
    • Distemper virus — This highly infectious virus that commonly affects puppies and adolescent dogs attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, and can be rapidly fatal. 
    • Adenovirus — Adenovirus causes infectious canine hepatitis, a potentially deadly condition that can affect puppies and dogs. Hepatitis can cause generalized illness, unexplained bleeding, and eye or liver damage.
    • Parvovirus (i.e., parvo) — Parvo is a dangerous, fast-moving virus that can be life-threatening, despite treatment. Parvovirus commonly affects puppies and can lead to rapid dehydration and malnutrition.
  • Rabies — Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning the disease can be transmitted to people from infected pets and wildlife. Rabies is incurable for pets, so vaccination is essential for them, but is required by law in most areas to protect human health.

Elective or non-core vaccines are considered optional, but may be required by pet-related businesses, so always confirm vaccine requirements at any location your dog regularly visits, including dog parks. Elective canine vaccines include:

  • Bordetella (i.e., kennel cough) — Bordetella vaccines protect your dog against common respiratory infections and are generally recommended for dogs who frequently interact with other dogs. Bordetella vaccination is usually administered intranasally (i.e., as droplets in your dog’s nostrils), although an injectable form is available.
  • Canine influenza — Similar to the human flu, canine influenza is a highly contagious virus that causes generalized illness, respiratory signs, and lethargy. Vaccines are available for both CIV strains, H3N2 and H3N8.
  • Leptospirosis — Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection from exposure to contaminated water or urine and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected dog’s urine. Untreated leptospirosis can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Vaccination is recommended for active dogs who spend time outdoors in wildlife areas. 
  • Lyme disease — Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness transmitted through an infected deer tick’s saliva and causes painful joint swelling and stiffness, shifting leg lameness, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and lethargy that may come and go. Although dogs cannot transmit Lyme disease to humans, an infected dog can signal increased disease risk in the area. A year-round flea and tick prevention protocol can protect your dog from Lyme disease, but vaccination is recommended for additional protection for outdoor dogs. 

Vaccines are a critical preventive care measure that help your dog build a strong defense against unseen but ever-present diseases. Periodic booster vaccines (e.g., every one to three years) challenge your dog’s immune response to ensure they have lifelong protection. If your dog is due for vaccine updates or you’re unsure about their vaccine history, our caring team can help. Simply call or contact Stanton Pet Hospital and our American Animal Hospital Association-accredited support staff will review your dog’s record, make recommendations, and help you schedule an appointment.