Vaccinations are a vital part of your dog’s veterinary care that will help prevent serious disease.
Dogs should be vaccinated against diseases that are common, that cause serious illness, and/or are very contagious. Your veterinarian can help plan a vaccination program for your dog that considers your pet’s lifestyle, individual needs, and where your pet may travel to.
A common core protocol may include vaccines against canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, infectious canine hepatitis and sometimes coronavirus.* These are highly contagious viruses that can cause serious illness and potentially death in dogs.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the brain and the nervous system and can affect both you and your dog. It can be transmitted through saliva from an infected animal, such as bats and raccoons. In many municipalities it is mandatory that your dog be vaccinated against rabies regularly.
Leptospirosis is an infectious bacterial disease that may result in chronic kidney disease and can affect both you and your dog. It is transmitted by contact with the urine of an infected dog or wild animal. Click here to learn more about leptospirosis and your dog.
Lyme disease is an infectious bacterial disease transmitted by ticks that is becoming more prevalent in Canada. Your dog may be at greater risk if he or she plays in grassy fields, forested areas, or travels to areas where deer ticks are common. A comprehensive tick control program including broad tick protection is recommended. Click here to learn more about Lyme disease and your dog.
Canine infectious respiratory disease complex – CIRD (canine cough) is a group of infectious illnesses that affect the respiratory system of your dog. Vaccination for canine cough is particularly important for dogs that visit boarding facilities, dog parks or other communal areas such as grooming facilities and dog daycares.
After determining which vaccines your puppy will need, your veterinarian will develop a suitable vaccination schedule. Generally, puppies receive a series of vaccinations and then boosters are given one year later. After their first birthday, your veterinarian will determine the need for later vaccinations based on the specific risk factors for your dog.
Why repeat vaccinations are necessary? When dogs are vaccinated as puppies, the immunity they receive will not protect them for the rest of their lives. To maintain protection, regular booster vaccinations are required for adult dogs. Your veterinarian will let you know what the recommended interval is depending on the specific vaccine and the lifestyle and risk factors of your dog.
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More information can be found on www.canadianveterinarians.net
* Canine coronavirus vaccination protects against an enteral virus that causes mild disease. It can aggravate other gastro-intestinal disorders or is otherwise self-limiting. This virus is NOT the same as the respiratory coronavirus.
VISIT YOUR VETERINARIAN FOR REGULAR HEALTH CHECKS AND PROTECT YOUR PET FROM FLEAS, HEARTWORM, ROUNDWORMS, HOOKWORMS AND MANY SPECIES OF TICKS.
