FAQ - Vaccination

Which vaccines are needed in dogs?

Depending on your locality some infections may be more or less likely. The range of vaccines available includes: rabies, distemper, adenovirus/ infectious canine hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, coronavirus, Lyme disease, and Bordetella bronchiseptica (see Kennel Cough). These vaccines are often available in combinations given in one dose. These combination vaccines are convenient and avoid extra ‘needles’ but sometimes separation of vaccines is advisable. Your veterinarian will advise you based on your dog’s specific requirements and will assess the relative risks based on your circumstances and advise you accordingly.

Which is better: a live or killed vaccine?

Both have advantages and disadvantages. Your veterinarian takes many circumstances into account in making the choice.

Why is more than one dose of vaccine given to puppies?

There are two reasons. First, without complicated testing it is impossible to know when a pup has lost the immunity it gets from its mother (maternal immunity). An early decline in a puppy’s maternal antibody can leave it susceptible to infection at a very young age but a strong maternal immunity can actually interfere with early vaccination causing Vaccination Failure. Second, particularly with killed vaccines, the first dose is a ‘priming’ dose, and the second dose is needed to boost the response to a higher, longer-lasting level of immunity.

Why annual revaccinations?

In most properly vaccinated dogs, the immunity should last more than a year, and often several years. However, immunity does decline with time and this decline rate varies with individuals. To maintain the best immunity in a reasonable way, annual revaccinations have proven very successful. Because improvements are continuously made in the vaccines we use, some do not need to be given so often, depending on individual circumstances of the pet. Your veterinarian will discuss the need and frequency of boosters for your dog.