Canine Vaccinations & Guidelines
Core vaccines are recommended for all puppies and dogs with an unknown vaccination history. The diseases involved have significant morbidity and mortality and are widely distributed, and in general, vaccination results in relatively good protection from disease. These include vaccines for canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus (CAV), and rabies. In addition, the leptospirosis vaccine is now being recommended as a core vaccine for dogs because the disease has the potential to occur in any dog (even in urban environments), can be life-threatening, and the vaccines are considered safe and efficacious, with recent improvements in safety over the last decade to minimize vaccine reactions.
CANINE RABIES VACCINATION - $35.50
We recommend that puppies receive a single dose of killed rabies vaccine at or after 12 weeks and before 6 months of age. Adult dogs with unknown vaccination history should also receive a single dose of killed rabies vaccine. A booster is required one year later on puppies and all dogs with previous unknown vaccination history and thereafter, rabies vaccination should be performed every 3 years using a vaccine approved for 3-year administration.
[1] In accordance with Franklin county law, all dogs and cats are required to be vaccinated against the Rabies virus. Giving the vaccine is considered a medical procedure and only healthy pets should be vaccinated. Because of this, we require a physical exam be done on your pet with a doctor when we give the Rabies vaccine. The physical examination ensures the health of your pet and, therefore, safety in receiving the vaccination.
CANINE DISTEMPER-ADENOVIRUS-PARAINFLUENZA-PARVOVIRUS VACCINATION - $31.80-$39.03
For initial puppy vaccination (< 20 weeks), one dose of vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) CPV, CDV, and CAV-2 is recommended every 3-4 weeks from 6-8 weeks of age, with the final booster being given around 18-20 weeks of age.
Revaccination is required at one year and recommended every 3 years thereafter.
For dogs older than 20 weeks of age, two doses of vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) CPV, CDV, and CAV-2 given 3-4 weeks apart are recommended. Revaccination is required at one year and recommended every 3 years thereafter.
CANINE LEPTOSPIOSIS VACCINATION - $35.64
This vaccine has a history of controversy due to allergic reactions to the vaccine. In general, Leptospira vaccines have been associated with more severe postvaccinal reactions (acute anaphylaxis) than other vaccines. The recent introduction of vaccines with reduced amounts of foreign protein has reduced this problem. Reaction rates for vaccines containing Leptospira, while higher than those for vaccines that do not contain Leptospira, are still low in incidence (in one study, < 0.6%). Vaccination of dogs that have had previous reactions to Leptospira vaccines should be avoided if possible. Multiple leptospiral serovars are capable of causing disease in dogs, and minimal cross-protection is induced by each serovar. Currently available vaccines do not contain all serovars but do contain the most common ones that cause disease in dogs, and duration of immunity is about 1 year.
Leptospirosis is not uncommon in Ohio dogs both from urban backyards and is reported more frequently today. In addition, the disease can be fatal or have high morbidity, and also has zoonotic potential to people. Therefore, we recommend annual vaccination of all dogs. The initial vaccination should be followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later, and the first vaccine is given no earlier than 9 weeks of age.
CANINE BORDETELLA VACCINATION - $37.08-38.73
This is an agent associated with 'kennel cough' or canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) in dogs. For Bordetella bronchiseptica, mucosal vaccination with live avirulent bacteria is recommended for dogs expected to board, be shown, or to enter a kennel situation within 6 months of the time of vaccination. We currently stock the oral and injectable vaccine containing B. bronchiseptica.
For puppies and previously unvaccinated dogs, the initial vaccination should be followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later, and the first vaccine is given no earlier than 8 weeks of age. Revaccination is required at one year and annually thereafter.
CANINE INFLUENZA VACCINATION - $58.84
There are two types of influenza virus that have recently shown up in the dog population. These two viruses do not appear to mutate as frequently as the human virus and are not zoonotic to humans but will cause a disease similar to the human flu and can also be mistaken for 'a kennel cough'. Vaccines for both infections are commercially available, including a combination H3N8/H3N2 vaccine (which we carry). Vaccines may reduce clinical signs and virus shedding in dogs infected by CIV.
Vaccination may have the potential to interfere with the results of serological testing, which in non-endemic areas are used to assist diagnosis.
Canine influenza virus H3N8 emerged in the United States in greyhounds in Florida in 2003. The virus is now enzootic in many dog populations in Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. The virus causes upper respiratory signs including a cough, nasal discharge, and a low-grade fever followed by recovery. A small percentage of dogs develop more severe signs in association with hemorrhagic pneumonia. Canine influenza virus H3N2 emerged in 2015 in Illinois and has spread to several other states, including California. Several affected dogs have recently (December 2017/January 2018) been identified in the south bay area in Northern California. Disease caused by CIV H3N2 may be slightly more severe than that caused by CIV H3N8, and the virus has affected more dogs in veterinary hospitals and the community (H3N8 has largely remained confined to shelters).
For puppies and previously unvaccinated dogs, the initial vaccination should be followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later, and the first vaccine is given no earlier than 8 weeks of age. Revaccination is required at one year and annually thereafter.
CANINE LYME VACCINATION - $61.99
We recommend this vaccine to dogs that come in contact with ticks even on an infrequent basis. This disease is very common in our area and if your dog is exposed to wooded areas or areas with tall grass there is a risk of coming into contact with deer ticks that carry this disease. Most infected dogs show no clinical signs, and the majority of dogs contracting Lyme disease respond to treatment with antimicrobials. Furthermore, prophylaxis may be effectively achieved by preventing exposure to the tick vector. Between 20-50% of deer ticks in this area can carry this disease.
Although the vaccine is generally not 100% the vaccine and good tick control methods effectively greatly reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease. This vaccine is given initially after 9 weeks of age and followed up by a booster 3-4 weeks later and annually thereafter.