Canine Vaccine Recommendations

DHPP
This is a combination vaccine against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. These viruses can cause significant, life threatening diseases in dogs.  We recommend giving the DHPP vaccine every three years to all dogs over the age of one.  Rather than vaccinate every three years automatically, you can determine your dog’s level of immunity by measuring antibody titers every year, which is a way to determine more precisely when a dog’s immunity has diminished to inadequate levels and when revaccination is required.

RABIES 
This is an untreatable, lethal virus that can infect any mammal.  Rabies is most often spread through bite wounds.  Wild animals that most commonly carry rabies are skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes. Dogs are legally required to be vaccinated against rabies, we give this vaccine every three years to dogs above the age of one. 

LEPTO 
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects humans as well as wild and domestic animals.  This infection is shed in the urine by an infected animal.  The bacteria can live in water or moist soil for several months.  Dogs become infected by drinking or swimming in infected water.  Once infected, dogs can have severe kidney or liver damage as well as other problems.  We recommend this vaccine for dogs that live or play near creeks, or who are hiking, camping, or around wildlife or livestock.  Because the immunity from this vaccine only lasts about one year, we recommend boosting this vaccine annually.

BORDETELLA
Bordetella is one of the main causes of kennel cough.  “Kennel cough” actually describes a group of infections that cause a hacking cough and are spread through respiratory secretions. Dogs that are vaccinated for bordetella are still at risk of catching one of the other infections that cause kennel cough, but often the infection is less severe.  This vaccine can be give intra-nasally (as nose drops) or as an injection.  It is recommended that this vaccine be given at least 5 days before boarding, once a year. 

CANINE INFLUENZA
Canine influenza, also known as the dog flu, is a highly infectious virus spread via direct nose-to-nose contact as well as aerosolized droplets from coughing, sneezing, and barking.  There are two forms: mild and severe.  Symptoms of the mild form are a cough that can stick around for up to 21 days despite treatment, nasal discharge, eye discharge, sneezing, lethargy, and decreased appetite.  Dogs that are infected with the severe form will often develop pneumonia; symptoms of pneumonia include fever, yellow or green nasal discharge, increased respiratory rate and effort, severe lethargy and anorexia.  Pneumonia is diagnosed by taking chest x-rays.  Canine influenza H3N2 is a required vaccine for boarding at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center.  Because the immunity from this vaccine only lasts about one year, we give this vaccine annually.