As a dog owner, the topic of vaccinations and immunizations for your dog has surely come up at least once. With National Pet Immunization Awareness month being recognized during August, it’s time to revisit this topic. While you may understand what a vaccination is in theory, we’re here to highlight the core and non-core canine immunizations for dogs and why they’re needed to keep your dog healthy and happy.
What Diseases Can Be Prevented with Canine Immunizations?
Before we dive into the various core and non-core canine immunizations, it’s important to understand what exactly canine immunizations protect against. When we discuss immunization, we are not referring to the common cold. We are highlighting very serious, and at times even fatal, diseases that can easily be combated with the right vaccinations given at the right times. Some of the diseases we vaccinate our pets against include the following:
- Distemper
- Rabies
- Parvovirus
- Kennel cough
- Hepatitis
- Lyme Disease
- And many more
Core Canine Immunizations
When we refer to core canine immunizations, we are speaking about vaccinations that are recommended and in certain areas required for all dogs. Some immunizations are given at as early as eight weeks followed by booster shots that carry on into adulthood. For most immunizations, your dog will require a vaccination to strengthen their immunity against the disease every one to three years. The core canine immunizations include the following:
- Distemper
- Rabies
- Adenovirus
- Bordetella or Parvovirus
Non-Core Canine Immunizations
Non-core canine immunizations are various other vaccinations that may be given to protect your dog against illness and disease that is more specific to your dog’s age, breed, or regional location. In order to determine which non-core vaccinations are suitable for your dog, it’s important to consult with your dog’s trusted veterinarian to develop a vaccination plan that promotes lasting health for your pet.
For more information on your dog’s core and non-core canine immunization needs, contact your local veterinarian to schedule an appointment today.