Dog Vaccines: Starting from the Basics

Biogal Academy | Dog Vaccines: Starting from the Basics (Brochure)

How Do Vaccines Work?

Vaccines are weakened or killed micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria etc.) that are injected into the body to stimulate a primary immune response.

Every virus has its own special marker, called an antigen. The body will develop, as part of its immune response, antibodies towards that specific antigen. These antibodies will remain in the body for months or years (long after the virus is eliminated).

If the dog is then infected with the same virus, but this time a live virus, the body will develop a secondary immune response– it will react much faster because it already has specific antibodies for the virus. This helps the dog get better quicker.

 

What Vaccinations Do Our Dogs Receive?

There are two groups of vaccines:

• Core Vaccines- These are vaccines recommended for all pets and protect against diseases that are easily transmissible, serious and fatal.
  • Canine Parvovirus
  • Canine Distemper Virus
  • Canine Adenovirus
  • Rabies Virus
• Non Core Vaccines– These are vaccines that may be indicated, depending on geographic location, lifestyle and risk.
  • Leptospira- considered a core vaccine in some areas of the world.
  • Lyme
  • Bordetella
  • Influenza
  • And more…

What Are These Core Viruses- Parvovirus/Adenovirus/Distemper Virus?

• These viruses spread easily- they can pass from direct contact with an infected dog, but also from contact with infected urine, feces and surfaces.
• They infect puppies and adult dogs but they will usually lead to a more severe disease in puppies because their immune system is not yet completely developed, thus can also be fatal.
• There is no treatment! There is no medication that can get rid of these viruses so vets can only provide care to help manage the symptoms and support the dog.
• The best way to prevent these diseases is vaccination.

 

Vaccination Protocols (WSAVA)

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has created general vaccination guidelines based on scientific research. These protocols divide dogs into two main groups: puppies and adult dogs.

Group	CPV2/CAV2/CDV	Rabies	Leptospira
Puppies	First dose at 6-8 weeks of age, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age	First dose at 12 weeks of age, high risk areas second dose 2-4 weeks after	First dose at 8 weeks, second dose 2-4 weeks later
Adult Dogs	Booster at 6 or 12 months of age, then every 3 years	Booster at 1 year, then every 1 or 3 years (depending on type of vaccine)	Every year

 

Are We Vaccinating Too Much or Not Enough?

The answer to both those questions is YES. And here is why:

1. The Individual Dog– Each dogs’ immune system is different and some dogs may have antibodies for more than three years (in some cases even a lot more), while others might have antibodies for less than three years.
2. Puppies– In the first few weeks of life, puppies have antibodies from their mother (called maternally derived antibodies). These antibodies can stay in their bodies for a while and interfere with vaccinations. Every puppy is different and the length that these maternal antibodies stay differs, so that’s why they need multiple vaccine shots. But sometimes, even after the full series, puppies might still not be fully protected.
3. Senior dogs– older dogs tend to be less responsive to vaccines and we might need to vaccinate them more often. On the other hand, older dogs may have chronic diseases, so it is important to be cautious and only vaccinate when necessary, especially if they have been regularly vaccinated in the past.
4. Nonresponsive dogs– rarely, there are dogs who don’t respond to vaccines and don’t develop antibodies. This is seen more frequently in certain species like Dobermans and Rottweilers. It is important to identify these dogs, especially when they are puppies, so we can be extra careful about exposing them to diseases.

 

Checking Antibody Levels with VacciCheck

Is there a way to check if our dog needs a booster vaccine? YES.

VacciCheck is a simple blood test that measures the levels of antibodies for Parvovirus, Distemper virus, and Adenovirus in our dogs.

• If the antibody levels are sufficient, there’s no need to give a booster shot.
• If the levels are low or there are no antibodies, a booster shot is needed.

Including VacciCheck as part of your dog’s annual vet checkup is a great way to ensure we’re not over-vaccinating and are only vaccinating when it’s necessary.