Everything You Need to Know About the Required Vaccines for Dogs!

Vaccinating your dog is not just a routine check-up; it is a key step in making sure your furry friend stays happy, healthy, and ready for whatever adventure comes next! Even if you are protecting your dog from serious diseases or getting ready for a trip abroad, understanding the required vaccines for dogs is necessary. 

Let’s dive into the must-know facts that every pet parent should be aware of!

Why Are Required Vaccines for Dogs Important?

Imagine this: Your dog is by your side while playing at a park or getting ready to board a plane for an exciting trip. What you don’t desire is for them to be at risk of life-threatening diseases like rabies, parvovirus, or distemper. 

Vaccinations are a game-changer in protecting our furry friends’ health, especially for puppies! Not too long ago, diseases like distemper, rabies, and the more recent parvovirus were responsible for claiming the lives of thousands of dogs.

That is where the required vaccines for dogs come in! These vaccines help protect your dog from serious health issues and also prevent the spread of diseases to other pets and humans. Plus, vaccinations are often mandatory for international travel, so they are a must if you are planning any adventures across borders!

Types of Vaccines for Dogs

Vaccines are like a superhero training program for your dog’s immune system! They introduce a harmless version of a disease-causing germ, helping your pup build defences before encountering the real threat. But remember, vaccinations prevent disease, not treat it. That is why sticking to a proper schedule is so important!

Here is the thing: dog vaccines fall into two categories: core and non-core. Core vaccines, like rabies and distemper, are vital for every dog, while non-core vaccines, such as Bordetella, depend on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors. 

Keeping up with vaccinations ensures your furry friend stays happy, healthy, and protected!

1. Core Vaccines

These vaccines are the heavy-hitters that all dogs need, no matter what their lifestyle or environment. These are the required vaccines for dogs because they protect against diseases that could have severe consequences. 

Here are several things that you need to know:

a. Rabies

It is a serious and potentially fatal disease that affects your dog’s nervous system. Rabies is mainly spread through the saliva of infected animals, often via bites from wild creatures like coyotes, bats, or skunks. And here is the scary part: there is no cure once a dog catches it.

The best way to protect your furry friend is through rabies vaccination. The first shot usually happens at around 12 weeks of age, and a booster shot follows after one year. 

Depending on your area and the type of vaccines required for dogs, boosters could be needed every year or every three years. So, keep your pup up to date with its rabies shots—they are the best defence against this deadly disease!

b. DAP Vaccine (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus)

The DAP shot is like a superhero vaccine for your pooches! It protects against three highly contagious and serious diseases: canine distemper, canine adenovirus type 2, and canine parvovirus. 

These diseases can spread quickly and are dangerous for your pup, but with the DAP combo shot, your dog gets powerful protection all in one go!

Distemper

Canine distemper is a nasty virus that hits your dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, causing a wide range of troubling symptoms. Your pup might experience lethargy, runny eyes and nose, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even thickened skin on the nose and footpads. 

The virus can also cause coughing, difficulty breathing, seizures, and paralysis. It is a serious threat to your dog’s health, which is why early vaccination is vital to keep them protected!

Adenovirus

Canine adenovirus type 2 is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration, putting your dog at serious risk. The good news? The vaccine protects against this dangerous virus and also guards against a type of kennel cough, helping to prevent potential liver disease and respiratory issues. 

Parvovirus

This is a tough opponent for dogs, causing severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and bone marrow suppression. In some cases, it can even lead to heart failure. This nasty virus can affect multiple organs, including the liver, and without immediate and aggressive treatment, it can be fatal. 

2. Non-Core Vaccines

Now, non-core required vaccines for dogs are more specific. They are recommended based on your dog’s lifestyle, environment, and any travel plans you have. These are not mandatory for all dogs, but if your dogs are at higher risk, these vaccines can make a big difference.

Some examples include:

a. Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

Kennel cough is a pesky respiratory illness caused by Bordetella bacteria, parainfluenza virus, or adenovirus type 22. If your dog loves daycare or boarding, this vaccine is a must to keep them healthy and happy!

b. Leptospirosis

A bacterial infection that can spread through water or soil—yikes! Actually, leptospirosis is a nasty bug that dogs can catch from water tainted with infected animal urine. 

It can lead to appetite loss, fever, and even kidney or liver failure. While the vaccine doesn’t give full protection, it helps reduce the risk, especially for dogs in warm, rainy places. Two doses, followed by an annual booster, will keep your pup safe and sound!

c. Lyme Disease

Ticks love to hang out in grassy areas, so if you are in a tick-prone zone, this vaccine is worth considering. Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can cause symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, arthritis, and sometimes kidney issues. 

Ticks need to be attached for 36–48 hours to spread the disease, but not all dogs show symptoms. Tick prevention is crucial, but if your dog’s at high risk, your vet may recommend two vaccines followed by annual boosters to keep them protected.

How to Keep Up With Your Dog’s Vaccination Schedule

1. Puppy Vaccination Schedule

One of the first things you should do is start your puppy on the vaccination path. Most puppies begin their vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks, followed by boosters every 2 to 4 weeks until they are 16 to 20 weeks old. 

These booster shots are crucial because the immunity from their mom’s milk might interfere with the effectiveness of early vaccinations. In one year, they will need another DAP booster to keep them protected.

2. Adult Dog Vaccinations

Vaccines for adult dogs don’t stop once they are all grown up! Depending on the vaccine, booster shots are needed every 1-3 years to keep them safe. After the initial rounds, most vaccines protect for at least three years. 

You can either give boosters every three years or have a titer test to check if the vaccine is still working. Just remember, for rabies, a titer test cannot replace the required vaccine! 

Stay on top of your dog’s vaccination schedule to keep them healthy and happy.

Also Read: Dog Motion Sickness: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Help Your Pup

3. Vaccination Requirements for International Travel

Are you planning a trip abroad with your dog? Then, the required vaccines for dogs become even more crucial! Many countries require the rabies vaccine for incoming pets, and there is potential for additional mandatory vaccines depending on your travel destination. 

Do your research ahead of time, and be sure to get your dog’s vaccines in order to make sure they are allowed entry. 

Why are required dog vaccines so important? Vaccinations are not just a box to check off; they are about keeping your dog safe, happy, and ready for any adventure you have in store.

If you are getting ready to relocate your pet across the globe and need to check all the required vaccines for dogs, Global Paws has you covered! We are a family-owned business with over 20 years of experience, offering expert care every step of the way.

Stop waiting! Click here to contact us now and get your pet travel-ready in no time! With Global Paws, from doorstep to destination, we move your pets like our own!

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About Global Paws:

Global Paws is a family-owned business with over 20 years of experience in pet travel and relocation. We know your pets are part of your family, and we care for them like they are part of ours. As proud members of the International Pet & Animal Transport Association (IPATA) and certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations (LAR), we’re committed to making sure they travel safely and comfortably.

What sets us apart is the extra care we provide. Every pet is treated like family, and we make sure their journey is safe and stress-free, no matter where they are headed.

We believe every pet deserves a first-class experience, and we are here to make sure they are comfortable from start to finish. Our experience, backed by IPATA and IATA, gives you peace of mind knowing your pet’s journey is in safe, loving hands.

Then, are you ready to give VIP treatment for your furry friend? Visit our website to book your pet’s dream vacation today!