08/12/2025
August is also National Immunization Awareness Month, so this week we’re going to talk about the importance of vaccinating our pets.
Today we’re going to address vaccinations for our canine friends! 🐶
🔗All information below provided by Zoetis Petcare - check out the links in the comment section for more information!
❓Why Are Vaccines Important for Dogs?
Even if your dogs don’t venture outside of the house or their own yard, they are still at risk and should stay up to date on their immunizations. Why is this, you may ask? Take these following points into consideration:
1️⃣Dogs are social creatures. Any spaces frequented by many animals can pose a potential risk - even the sidewalk in front of your house or just outside your fence.
2️⃣Human houseguests can bring something unexpected. Even if they’re strictly indoors, visitors can bring unwanted diseases into your home on their shoes or clothing.
3️⃣We’re living with fewer borders. Due to an increase in owners traveling with their pets, local dogs are more at risk for diseases not usually common in their area.
4️⃣Insects aren’t picky about who or what they bite.
5️⃣If your pet is at risk, your family may be as well. Zoonotic diseases, such as Leptospirosis and Rabies, can be passed to people, putting even you at risk.
❓What do canine vaccines protect against?
There are several safe and effective vaccines available for our dogs today. Here are the most common vaccines we administer in our clinic and what they protect your pet against:
💉Canine Distemper - Distemper is a highly contagious virus that can cause seizures, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal symptoms. Can be fatal in unvaccinated dogs.
💉Canine Parainfluenza - Parainfluenza can cause upper respiratory symptoms such as cough and runny nose.
💉Canine Adenovirus - Adenovirus can cause liver disease and can also be fatal in unvaccinated dogs.
💉Parvovirus - Parvo causes vomiting, diarrhea/bloody stool, lethargy, anorexia and a weakened immune system. This highly contagious and potentially fatal virus is spread by ingestion of contaminated f***s.
‼️ Parvo can live in the soil for up to 9 years!
💉Lepto - Leptospirosis is a bacteria that can cause fever, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea resulting in acute kidney failure and liver disease. It’s carried and spread in the urine of wild animals and can be passed to humans and can be fatal.
Canine distemper, parainfluenza, adenovirus and parvovirus are given as a combination vaccine series, often referred to as a ‘distemper and parvo vaccine’ for dogs. Lepto can also be included in this vaccine and should be boosted annually.
💉Bordetella - This vaccination is administered to protect your dog from Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex - commonly known as “kennel cough”.
🛑A common misconception is that your dog can only contract kennel cough at a boarding kennel, but really any nose-to-nose contact with an infected dog can put your dog at risk. Even through your backyard fence!
💉Rabies - Rabies causes neurological signs such as seizures and uncontrolled aggression. Transmitted primarily by infected wild animals, all mammals are susceptible.
‼️Rabies is 100% deadly and 100% preventable!
💉Lyme Disease - Lyme Disease, transmitted by infected ticks, can cause lameness, joint swelling/pain, fever, depression and anorexia. (This is not very common in our area, so we don’t typically carry this vaccine.)
Vaccines have greatly reduced disease risks, making it easy to forget how dangerous some diseases were before their use. Vaccinating your dog not only improves their quality of life and prevents costly treatments but also protects against fatal illnesses and zoonotic diseases. Vaccines are required by law in some areas, and in our interconnected world, keeping your dog's vaccines up to date is crucial for both their safety and yours. Regular vaccination is a simple yet effective way to prevent serious health issues.
