Programs supporting regular vaccination of dogs have contributed both to the health of
dogs and to the public health. In countries where routine rabies vaccination of dogs is
practiced, for example, rabies in humans is reduced to a very rare event.
Currently, there are geographically defined core vaccines and individually chosen non-core
vaccine recommendations for dogs. A number of controversies surrounding adverse reactions
to vaccines have resulted in authoritative bodies revising their guidelines as to the
type, frequency, and methods/locations for dog vaccination.
Recommended administration of vaccines In 2010 and 2011, revised guidelines addressed
concerns about adverse vaccine reactions by altering the recommended frequency, type,
methods, and locations for administration of core and non-core canine vaccines.
General schedule Most vaccination protocols recommend a series
of vaccines for puppies, with vaccine boosters given at one year of age. Frequency of vaccination
thereafter varies depending on the lifestyle of the individual dog, including:
indoor vs. outdoor travel plans
kennel/boarding plans underlying disease conditions
other exposure risks, the disease and vaccine type being considered.
Because these factors may change over time, many professional organizations recommend
routine annual examinations, where a vaccination plan for each individual canine can be decided
during a discussion between the veterinarian and dog owner.
Type In their 2010 recommendations, WSAVA emphasized
the importance of administering non-adjuvanted vaccines whenever possible, as vaccines that
included these immune-stimulating agents were shown to increase adverse vaccine reactions
in pets. Frequency
WSAVA also prefers serological testing over unnecessary boosters or re-vaccination doses
of core vaccines after the initial 12-month booster that follows the puppy series of modified
live virus [MLV] vaccines. This is because core vaccines show an excellent correlation
between the presence of antibody and protective immunity to a disease, and have a long DOI.
Antibody tests can be used to demonstrate the DOI after vaccination with core vaccines,
though not for non-core vaccines. Method
Most vaccines are given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Respiratory tract
disease vaccination may be given intra-nasally in some cases.
Location Many recent protocols indicate that vaccines
should be given in specific areas in order to: ease identification of which vaccine caused
an adverse reaction, and ease removal of any vaccine-associated sarcoma. Although these
protocols were initially designed for cats, some similar protocols are likely to be developed
for canines, as well. In North America, vets adopted the practice
of injecting specific limbs as far from the body as possible, for example the rear right
for rabies. This set of locations was not widely adopted
outside of North American, and the international Vaccination Guidelines Group made new recommendations
that vaccines be administered: in subcutaneous sites
in the skin of the lateral thorax or abdomen so as to avoid the interscapular or intercostal
regions in a different site on each occasion
Core vaccines
Core vaccines are defined as those vaccines which ALL dogs, regardless of circumstances,
should receive. Core vaccines protect animals from severe, life-threatening diseases which
have global distribution. Rabies
The latest North American recommendation still includes rabies in the core vaccines. Likewise,
the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians in the U.S. gives detailed instructions
on how to deal with what they describe as a serious public health problem, and includes
a useful table, summarizing all the rabies vaccines sold in the U.S.
However, the 2010 international VGG recommendation generally considers the rabies vaccine a non-core
vaccine, except in areas where the disease is endemic or where required by law.
CDVCPV-2 In many locations the rabies vaccine is accompanied
by a single combined vaccine shot which protects against:
CDV, CAV-2 and
CPV-2. Non-Core vaccines
Non-core vaccines are those that are required by only those animals whose geographical location,
local environment or lifestyle places them at risk of contracting specific infections.
Except in areas where the disease is endemic or where required by law, the VGG considers
the rabies vaccine as non-core. Both of the most recent vaccine protocols
no longer consider canine parainfluenza to be a core vaccine and have moved CPiV into
the non-core category. For dogs expected to board, be shown, or to
enter a kennel situation within 6 months, vets may recommend administering Bordetella,
which protects again a respiratory illness commonly known as "kennel cough" in addition
to canine parainfluenza virus. Vaccination against Lyme disease, an illness
that is spread via deer ticks, is also indicated in certain environments where deer ticks frequently
occur. Lyme disease is known to cause lethargy, fever, soreness, and in cases gone untreated,
damage to joints, paralysis, and nerve damage. For dogs living in/visiting rural areas or
areas frequented by wildlife, another important vaccine is to consider is against Leptospirosis,
a disease characterized by weakness, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and kidney and liver
failure. Leptospirosis comes from standing water containing urine from animals infected
with leptospira, and the disease can be transmitted to humans via contaminated water or food.
Not recommended vaccines Generally not recommended, owing to unproven
efficacy, are: canine coronavirus,
canine adenovirus-1, Giardia vaccine and
rattlesnake envenomation vaccine. Controversy
In recent years, vaccination has become a controversial topic among veterinarians and
dog owners. Specific adverse reactions and general consequences for long-term health
and immunity are both being cited as reasons to reduce the frequency of pet vaccination.
The 2010 vaccination guidelines published by the WSAVA reduce the number of vaccines
which should be considered core for canines, as well as recommending less frequent vaccine
administration. In the executive summary section, the WSAVA
guidelines do argue against needless vaccination and in support of "the development and use
of simple in-practice tests for determination of seroconversion following vaccination."
In addition, they also note that "Vaccines should not be given needlessly. Core vaccines
should not be given any more frequently than every three years after the 12 month booster
injection following the puppy/kitten series, because the duration of immunity is many years
and may be up to the lifetime of the pet." The open letter critique focuses on the less-nuanced
summary of these recommendations in the Tables given for vaccination guidelines, which could
imply that re-vaccination should occur every 3 years.
Adverse reactions
Vets and owners should also consider factors that have been shown to increase the risk
of adverse vaccine reactions. Examples of such factors include:
age, number of vaccinations per office visit,
size, type or ingredients of vaccine itself,
breed, neutered status,
general health of the dog, and past vaccination history.
See also ATCvet code QI07 Immunologicals for canidae
DA2PPC Vaccine Feline vaccination
References ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vaccination Guidelines
Group of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. "WSAVA guidelines for the vaccination
of dogs and cats". Retrieved 2012-06-24. ^ a b c "2011 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines".
American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccination Task Force. 2011.
^ a b Moore GE, Guptill LF, Ward MP, Glickman NW, Faunt KK, Lewis HB, Glickman LT. "Adverse
events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs". J Am Vet Med Assoc
227: 1102–8. doi:10.2460/javma.2005.227.1102. PMID 16220670.
^ a b "Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines". UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
November 2009. Retrieved 2012-08-26. ^ "Feline Life Stage Guidelines". American
Association of Feline Practicitioners & American Animal Hospital Association. 2010. Retrieved
2012-08-26. ^ Eigner, Diane R. "Feline Vaccine Guidelines".
The Winn Feline Foundation. Retrieved 2006-08-27. ^ "VAFSTF Vaccine Site Recommendations". Vaccine-Associated
Feline Sarcoma Task Force of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, American
Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Veterinary Cancer
Society. Retrieved 2012-06-23. ^ "Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention
and Control, 2011". Morbidity and mortality weekly report of the Centers for Disease Control.
National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.. 2011.
^ "Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines". UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved
2012-06-23. External links
Vaccination Guidelines Group of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. "Vaccination
guidelines for the owners and breeders of dogs and cats".
*Horzinek, MC. "Vaccination protocols for companion animals: the veterinarian's perspective.".
Journal of Comparative Pathology. 142 Suppl 1: S129–32. doi:10.1016/j.jcpa.2009.11.001.
PMID 19954796. Vaccination Advice Sheet from the UK Kennel
Club Vaccine FAQ from The Pet Health Library
Baughan, Loretta. Are We Over Vaccinating Our Pets? Spaniel Journal
Guerra, Robert, DVM. "Leptospirosis". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
234: 472–478. doi:10.2460/javma.234.4.472. PMID 19222355.