Vaccinating Your Pups
Vaccinations can be a touchy topic for some… and understandably so. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding how to best care for your dog when it comes to vaccinating, medicating, and preventing disease so finding a reliable source of information can be difficult. Below I will break down the core vaccines that your pups should have in order to keep them healthy and happy in our part of the states!
Core Dog Vaccines
Rabies- Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease affecting the central nervous system of mammals. Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds). Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal so vaccination is a must!
The state of Texas requires that all cats and dogs be vaccinated for rabies by 4 months of age by a licensed veterinarian. Additionally, when traveling with your pet, it is required that you carry the rabies certificate (this is not the collar tag that is often given to you but the actual document that has been signed by your veterinarian). For a pet to be considered fully vaccinated for rabies, 30 must have elapsed after the initial vaccination and the time elapsed since the most recent vaccination must not have exceeded the recommended interval for booster vaccination as established by the manufacturer. Most rabies vaccines are given annually but after the first vaccine, you can get a 3 or even a 5 year booster if done before the expiration of the initial vaccine, depending on the manufacturer. You will have to speak with your veterinarian to see which vaccine they administer.
THIS IS NOT A VACCINE THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE AND ADMINISTER YOURSELF. IT MUST BE DONE BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN.
DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)- This vaccine is a 4 way protection against the previously listed diseases and is considered a core vaccine for your pup.
Distemper- a vaccine-preventable, contagious virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at an increased risk of becoming infected. About 1 in 2 dogs will die from this infection. Although dogs that survive will have lifelong immunity to canine distemper virus, they usually have permanent, irreparable nervous system damage. Distemper is commonly noted in raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and skunks all across the US, including Brazoria County. Signs and symptoms include discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. As the virus progresses, more neurological signs become noticeable such as walking in circles, unable to follow a straight path, head tilt, lack of coordination, muscle twitches, convulsions with jaw-chewing movements, seizures, and partial or complete paralysis.
Adenovirus- Also known as infectious hepatitis, this is a vaccine-preventable disease that causes inflammation of the liver. Puppies are at the highest risk of infection and it is spread through urine, eye, and nose discharge from infected animals. In the mild form, an infected dog may have a decreased appetite, fever, and lethargy. In more severe cases, there will also be abdominal pain, edema, diarrhea, vomiting, and jaundice. Severe cases are often fatal.
Parvovirus- Often referred to as parvo, or “the scary puppy disease”. A highly contagious disease that attacks the white blood cells and gastrointestinal tract of dogs and other canids. Heart damage has also been noted in infected puppies. Canine parvovirus is easily spread in several different ways including but not limited to direct contact with infected dogs, contact with feces from infected dogs, and contact with virus-contaminated surfaces. The virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for incredibly long periods of time. Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog can contain the virus and infect other dogs, making proper disinfection protocols critically important. Dogs with severe infection need immediate veterinary care. This can be incredibly costly and your pup may still pass away despite your best efforts. Prompt and intensive treatment improves the chances of survival. Puppies are at increased risk and should never be allowed out into areas where other potentially unvaccinated dogs have access until they themselves are fully vaccinated.
Parainfluenza- Also known as kennel cough, this is a highly contagious respiratory virus. Although some of the symptoms are similar to canine influenza, this is a different virus and they require different vaccines. This virus is transmitted through excretions of the respiratory tract of infected animals for up to 2 weeks after infection and it is usually transmitted through the air. Kennels and boarding facilities are hot spots for this virus as large numbers of dogs are kept in close proximity to each other.
This vaccine can be given by your veterinarian or purchased at your local feed store and administered yourself. There is some controversy among vet clinics and boarding facilities regarding giving a vaccine yourself because they are not sure that the vaccines were handled appropriately by the feed stores prior to purchase, so use your best judgement on this. I personally buy and administer every vaccine that I can myself but it’s entirely up to you what you choose to do! I don’t think that either way is a bad option!
Vaccine Schedules
Typically, all of the above vaccines are given annually but your veterinarian will be able to tell you what specific schedule your pet should be on based on the vaccines that they use. As noted above, some rabies vaccines can be given every 3 to 5 years after the initial vaccine and it does not require a booster after 30 days, you’re one and done with this vaccine at 4 months old until the following year. DAPP schedules for puppies are a little more intensive. Starting at 6 weeks old, the first of the series is given. Every 3 weeks following, an additional booster is given until the pup is 16 weeks old. After this, annual boosters are typically recommended but some vets offer 3 year boosters. If your pup is already an adult, a DAPP vaccine is given with a booster typically given 30 days after the initial dose.
Properly vaccinating your pup can save a lot of time, money, and heartache. The above vaccines are not the only vaccines available but are considered CORE vaccines… the minimum of what you should provide. Several vets also offer titer testing to see if your pup still has an immunity built up to specific diseases before vaccinating again. It’s not something I often see advertised but you can ask your vet for this service specifically. It’s often more expensive than just getting the vaccines again but entirely up to you if you’d like to limit the amount of vaccines given to your pup.
