Vaccines are one of the few things every dog owner deals with, and one of the topics owners ask about most. Which shots does a dog actually need? How often? And what if your dog had a bad reaction last time?
Whole Dog Journal executive editor Kate O’Connor put those questions to veterinarian Eileen Fatcheric, DVM, a 1988 graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine who now practices in Syracuse, New York.
Core vaccines vs. lifestyle vaccines
Core vaccines are recommended for every dog, whatever the dog’s lifestyle. For years that meant distemper-parvo and rabies. Dr. Fatcheric explains that leptospirosis has now joined the core list, and why: lepto is a bacterial disease spread through wildlife urine, and it can pass from dogs to people.
Other vaccines depend on where your dog goes and what it does. The Lyme vaccine makes sense for dogs exposed to ticks in long grass or wooded areas, alongside tick prevention. Kennel cough (Bordetella) is for dogs who spend time indoors with other dogs at groomers, daycare, or boarding. Canine influenza is becoming more common for dogs who travel.
The puppy schedule, and why it takes several shots
Puppies typically start the distemper-parvo series at 6 to 8 weeks and get a booster every 3 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks old. Dr. Fatcheric explains how antibodies from the mother’s milk interfere with early vaccines, and why the repeat doses are designed to cover the gap. She also warns owners against keeping puppies locked away until the series is done, since that is the prime window for socialization.
Boosters for adult dogs
Lepto, Lyme, kennel cough, and influenza are generally boosted every year. Rabies is good for one year after the first shot, then typically three years after the booster, though rules vary by state. Distemper-parvo is commonly given every three years after the first annual booster.
Titers and when to skip a vaccine
For owners who want to avoid unnecessary shots, a titer test measures a dog’s antibody level to distemper and parvo. Dr. Fatcheric explains what the results mean and the main argument against relying on them.
She also covers the situations where she would delay or avoid a vaccine: a past anaphylactic reaction, milder reactions that can be managed with pretreatment, and dogs with immune-mediated disease. For dogs who can’t be vaccinated, she talks through how to reduce exposure risk, and what to expect with rabies laws.
The takeaway
Every dog’s needs are a little different. Watch the full interview above, then bring your questions to your own veterinarian.
