Vaccinations

Along with regular health check-ups, vaccines are a very important part of an overall preventative health strategy for your furry friend. Your veterinarian will formulate a protocol based upon your dog’s lifestyle, age, travel habits, and other factors.

The following list highlights an in-depth review of vaccine recommendations and protocol based on the CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association) guidelines.

DAP – Core (recommended for all dogs)

• Puppies are vaccinated at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. The vaccine is boosted one year, once initial puppy series is complete, then revaccinated every three years thereafter.
• Parvo – a frequently fatal viral gastrointestinal disease that causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and loss of appetite.
• Canine Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus) – causes liver disease with signs such as fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and encephalitis; this may be fatal.
• Distemper – a frequently fatal disease, causing depression, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and discharge from the eyes and nose. It may also cause convulsions and paralysis.

Rabies – Core (recommended for all dogs)

• A fatal disease carried, in our province, by bats. Statistics from the Public Health Agency of Canada report that from 2000-2005, 96% of the 95 bats tested in British Columbia were positive for rabies. Because of the human health risk, vaccination of all cats and dogs is recommended.
• Puppies are vaccinated at 16 weeks of age. Vaccine is boosted one year after initial puppy vaccine and then revaccinated every three years.

Bordetella – Non-core (Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis, “kennel cough”)

• A contagious respiratory disease. Signs are related to the degree of damage to the respiratory tract. Several organisms may be responsible; primary among them are the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica, as well as respiratory viruses and other bacteria.
• Vaccination is recommended for dogs who have significant social contact e.g. kennels, daycare, dog parks, agility classes, etc. Dogs who have a high-risk of exposure should be revaccinated every six months; those with lower/moderate risk should be revaccinated annually.

Leptospirosis – Non-core

• A bacterial disease that most frequently affects the liver and/or kidney, causing signs such as vomiting, depression, abdominal pain, and increased urination. Wildlife, rodents, and livestock spread the bacteria in their urine, contaminating surface water.
• Vaccination is recommended for dogs in contact with farms or wildlife areas, including areas frequented by raccoons. Puppies are vaccinated at 12 and 16 weeks of age and revaccinated annually.

Lyme Disease – Non-core

• A bacterial disease spread by tick bites, affecting different organs and causing a variety of different symptoms including fever, depression, loss of appetite, arthritis, and increased thirst and urination. Annual vaccination is recommended for dogs who have a significant exposure to tick bites.