List of Dog Vaccinations

Vaccinating your dog is the only way to ensure protection against common viruses and bacteria. Even if a dog is an indoor pet, he will usually go outdoors, and many diseases are transmitted through the air or inanimate objects that infected dogs leave behind. There are many dog vaccinations available, but a there is a core set of vaccinations that adult dogs should receive on a regular schedule in order to remain protected.

Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a virus similar to measles in humans. The virus is transmitted through the air and bodily fluids. There is no cure or treatment for distemper, and death rates can be as high as 75 percent. An annual canine distemper vaccine protects your dog against canine distemper. The vaccination needs to be repeated every year of the adult dog’s life, because dogs do not form immunity to the virus.

Parvovirus
The parvovirus is spread through infected feces and can remain present in objects an infected dog has come in contact with for five months or longer. Treatment of parvovirus may include replacement of lost fluids from diarrhea, antibiotics and corticosteroids. Parvovirus is very deadly in puppies. The parvovirus vaccination is a live vaccination, meaning the shot contains modified amounts of the parvovirus to prompt the dog’s immune system to build immunity to the virus. Adult dogs need to receive the parvovirus vaccination annually throughout their lives.

Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is contracted through direct contact with an infected dog or objects that an infected dog has been in contact with. It affects the liver and other organs and can lead to death in as little as two hours after the dog presents the initial symptoms. Puppies are at a higher risk of death than adult dogs, and there is no cure or treatment program available. However, the hepatitis vaccination prevents contraction of the disease as long as it is administered annually to adult dogs. Check with your vet for a puppy immunization schedule.

Rabies
Rabies is usually contracted through biting an infected animal or being bitten by an infected animal. Most cases of domestic rabies originate with wild animals such as skunks, raccoons and bats. The rabies vaccination nearly always ensures protection from the disease, and most cities require all pets to be vaccinated for rabies. There are different dog vaccinations that have been developed over the years, and they require recurring vaccinations at different intervals. Talk to your veterinarian about the best choice for your dog, as the technology behind the rabies vaccination seems to change more than other vaccinations.

Other Vaccinations
There are many other available vaccinations for dogs, but they are not necessarily recommended by veterinarians unless certain conditions are met. The bordetella vaccination protects against a respiratory virus that is contracted through the air from exposure to infected dogs. It is most commonly contracted in kennels, dog shows or other venues where many dogs are present. If you board your dog at a kennel or regularly expose your dog to other dogs, the bordetella vaccination will protect your dog from infection. Parainfluenza and coronavirus are two other viruses usually contracted during exposure to many other dogs. The leptospirosis vaccination protects against a bacteria that causes damage to internal organs, particularly the liver. Veterinarians usually recommend this dog vaccinations when cases of dogs with the disease show marked increase.