Canine Vaccine Programs

Core Vaccines: Vaccines every dog should receive, regardless of lifestyle and exposure to other dogs

Canine Distemper-Parvo-vaccine (DAP)

This vaccine protects yours dogs from 3 viruses. The initial puppy series includes vaccine administration every 3-4 weeks with the last vaccine administered after 16 weeks of age. The vaccine is administered again at 1 year of age and then every 3 years.

  1. Canine Distemper
    This is an often fatal, serious disease causing high fevers, lack of appetite, suppression of the immune system and neurological signs.
     
  2. Canine Adenovirus
    Adenovirus causes hepatitis or liver disease and can also lead to kidney failure and death.
     
  3. Canine Parvovirus
    This virus causes severe fever, vomiting and diarrhea and suppression of the immune system, which can result in death, especially in puppies or sick dogs.

Rabies vaccine

This vaccine is required by state law for all dogs 6 months of age or older.

The first Rabies vaccine is given as a single dose, then an “adult booster” a year later (the booster must be given with-in 9-12 months of the initial vaccine. The rabies vaccine is then given every 3 years. (State law mandates this interval).

Rabies virus is a fatal infection typically transmitted through bite wounds, open cuts in the skin or onto mucous membranes. There is no treatment available once your dog is infected with rabies. This virus has very real and serious human and pet implications.

For more information on Rabies in Massachusetts click here.

 

Non-Core Vaccines: These vaccines are available and can be given based on your dog’s risk.

Leptospirosis Vaccine

The initial puppy series includes two vaccines given 3-4 weeks apart. The vaccine is then administered annually.

Leptospirosis is endemic to Western Massachusetts. It is caused by various strains (serovars) of bacteria. Infected dogs often have a fever, do not eat well, may vomit, and may suffer liver and kidney damage. This disease, even when treated can be fatal. Infected dogs shed the bacteria in their urine, and humans can become infected by contact with contaminated ground water, soil, or animal urine. Raccoons or skunks carry some serovars. Farm animals, deer and mice harbor other serovars.

Borrelia Borgdorferi (Lyme Disease) Vaccine

The initial puppy series includes two vaccines given 2-4 weeks apart. The vaccine is then administered annually.

Hampshire and Franklin Counties are considered endemic areas for ticks carrying Borrellia burgdorferii, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Any dog who may be exposed to ticks is at risk, as the ticks transmit the bacteria during feeding. While effective tick control remains the cornerstone for reducing the risk of all tick-borne diseases, you may elect to reduce the risk further by having your dog vaccinated against Lyme disease. Before starting the vaccine series, we will test your dog for Lyme disease with the 4DX Heartworm test. The vaccine is not 100 % effective but does help to reduce the incidence of this serious disease. We continue to vaccinate patients who test positive for Lyme disease in order to minimize the risk of re-exposure.

For more information click here.

Bordatella (Kennel Cough) vaccine

This vaccine helps protect dogs against some forms of contagious bronchitis, and is recommended for dogs that stay in boarding facilities, go regularly to groomers, visit dog parks, attend dog shows or obedience classes, or frequently contact large numbers of dogs. It may not last for a year and dogs at very high risk should be vaccinated every 6 months.

 

 

Sample Vaccine Schedule for a New Puppy

Age

Vaccine(s)
8 weeks of age DAP
12 weeks of age DAP, Rabies
14 weeks of age Lyme, Leptospirosis
16 weeks of age Lyme, DAP
18 weeks of age Leptospirosis

 

 

 

Vaccine Reactions

We use the safest vaccines currently available to the veterinary profession. We have chosen the above vaccines and follow current vaccine guidelines to (1) Minimize the number of vaccines we are administering to our patients and (2) to minimize the number of side effects to our patients. Even with our best intentions, a very few number of dogs may still have a vaccine reaction. Below is a summary of these reactions and what you should monitor. If your dog has had a vaccine reaction, we will need to tailor a specific vaccine protocol for your individual dog to help avoid such reactions in the future. Please call us if you notice any of these reactions.

Mild vaccine reactions, if they occur, may last for a couple of days after the vaccine is administered and may include:

Severe vaccine reactions may occur within a few minutes to a few hours after vaccine administration. If you notice any of these severe vaccine reactions, veterinary attention is required IMMEDIATELY.

 

 

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