Dog Vaccines Explained

Ensuring your dog is regularly vaccinated is vital in order to protect them against some very serious, and potentially fatal, diseases.  Vaccines generally start with a course of two injections at eight weeks old and are then given annually.  It is important to remember that not all the diseases are vaccinated against every year and the vaccines themselves are very safe.  

Primary Vaccines Courses

• Although some makes of vaccine can be given at six weeks of age, most vets chose to start them when a puppy is eight weeks.
• At birth the bitch gives the puppies some disease protection through the milk (called Maternally Derived Antibodies or MDA).  This tends to decline at about eight weeks of age but before that it is still active and can destroy the vaccines before they have a chance to work.  However, pups who are hand reared or are in multi-dog establishments can benefit from early vaccination.
• The second vaccine of the primary course is give two to four weeks after the first.
• The protection for the pup will reach adequate levels about a week later, which is when they can start going out and about and meeting the world!  Prior to this they must stay in private, controlled spaces like your home and garden.
• It is advisable to start and finish the course with the same make of vaccine.  So even if the breeder of your pup has already had the first jab done, you may need to restart the course (which is perfectly safe), if your vet uses a different type of vaccine.
• If a dog has never had a booster, or the annual vaccines have been allowed to lapse by more than 18 months, it is sensible to restart the course.  This is just the same as it is for pups, with two vaccines a fortnight apart.

Annual Vaccinations

• All dogs should have a booster vaccination every year, the most important of which is the one given when they reach their first birthday.  This is because some dogs don't take the vaccine up properly as pups and this first 'full' booster ensures they are covered.
• Some people worry about over-vaccination but it is important to realise that not every disease is vaccinated against every year.
• Leptospirosis, and in some clinics ParvoVirus, depending on the local risk factors, are vaccinated against annually but the other diseases are only covered every second or every third year.
• If you are still uncomfortable about regular vaccines, your vet can take blood tests to measure the levels of protection in the blood and if they are adequate then no booster is required at that time.
• Some of the diseases we vaccinate against are now rare, for example Distemper, but we must not complacent.  They are only unusual due to the high levels of vaccination amongst dogs and if vaccines were allow to lapse, they would return with a vengeance. 
• Annual vaccination is very safe.  Vaccine reactions or adverse effects are constantly monitored by the veterinary profession and currently stand at about 0.004%, the majority of which are mild problems such as lethargy or itchy skin.
• Also, remember that annual vaccinations are a great opportunity for your pet to have a full health examination by a vet and for you to chat to them about any concerns or questions you may have.

Infectious Diseases Vaccinated Against

This is not a comprehensive list of all the diseases we vaccinate against but it explains the most common and the ones you may have heard of.  

Distemper

• Thanks to vaccinations Distemper is now a fairly rare disease, but only a few decades ago it was responsible for the death of scores of dogs.
• It is a highly contagious problem which is spread by dogs breathing in the airborne virus.
• The symptoms can start off as relatively mild, with just  a runny nose and eyes and a cough but can progress quickly to more serious problems such as diarrhoea and anorexia.  Dogs who survive the initial infection can go on to develop neurological problems such as a loss of balance and seizures.
• There is no specific treatment for the disease, affected dogs can only be given supportive therapy such as fluids and nursing care but many will die.
• Distemper is covered in the initial vaccine course, in the first annual vaccine and then every  two to three years after that.

Parvo Virus

• Parvo Virus is covered against in the standard dog vaccines but it is a disease which many vets still see on a fairly regular basis.
• It is mainly seen in young, unvaccinated puppies and is highly infectious.
• It causes vomiting, diarrhoea with blood and severe dehydration.
• Treatment is aimed at supporting the dog's system while they fight the virus and includes intravenous fluids, antibiotics and nursing care.  There are anti-viral drugs which can be used but even they are not always successful and the disease is often fatal. 

Leptospirosis

• This is not a particularly common disease but it is still seen by vets occasionally in unvaccinated dogs.
• It is covered in the standard vaccines and is one of the few disease vaccinated against every year.
• It is most usually passed to dogs via infected rat urine in water such as ponds, streams and canals.  It is often seen in working dogs whose vaccines have lapsed.
• There are several strains of Leptospira and some can be fatal within hours but more usually the dog deteriorates over a few days as the disease attacks the liver and kidneys.
• Symptoms of Leptospirosis include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice. 
• The treatment for Leptospirosis includes antibiotics, fluids and supportive care.  However, it can be difficult, expensive and is not always successful.

Kennel Cough

• The main symptom of Kennel Cough is a harsh hacking cough, sometimes with flem production.  It is a more complex problem than the other infectious diseases as it can be caused by several different viruses and bacteria. 
• These are generally very infectious and your dog doesn't have to go to a kennel to catch them!  However, they are more common in those types of environments, where lots of dogs are sharing the same space and are a little bit stressed.
• The main cause of Kennel Cough is a bacteria and this is protected against in an intranasal vaccine which can be given annually.  A single dose is enough to provide adequate protection.
• Also, one of the viruses that can cause Kennel Cough type symptoms is given in the standard injectable vaccines, usually every two or three years.
• However, because not all the causes of Kennel Cough symptoms can be vaccinated against, the vaccines are not 100% effective.  So even vaccinated dogs can develop problems, although they tend to be mild.  For this reason most vets will offer, but not insist on, the Kennel Cough vaccination, unless the dog is going into a kennels or other high risk environment.

Rabies

• All dogs who travel abroad under the PETS travel scheme have to be vaccinated against Rabies and also have a blood test to confirm the vaccine has worked.
• Some vets will give a single vaccine and then take the blood test four weeks later, others chose to give two vaccines a couple of weeks apart and then take a blood sample two weeks after that. Either way is fine and a failure of the vaccine to give the correct levels of protection is unusual.
• Once this has been done, the dog cannot then return to the UK until 6 months after the date of the positive blood test.  However, they can leave at any time .
• Rabies is a very serious and fatal disease which is not present in the UK but is in certain parts of mainland Europe.  Keeping the UK free of the disease is paramount.

Regular vaccination is not only vital for the individual but also to keep the general population safe from any recurrence of disease.  Vaccines are extremely safe and the chances of any adverse reactions are very small.  They are also a good way to ensure your dog has regular health check-ups. 

Please note, this is a advice only article.  If you have any concerns about this, or any other pet related subject, you must speak to your vet.P>