| Don't Over Vaccinate Your Dog!
Jefferson Animal Hospitals’ doctors and staff are dedicated to provide your pet with the optimum healthcare. Recent research has shown that most dogs maintain good immunity to some diseases for longer than one year. It is still vital for your dog to have an annual physical exam.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccines perform the vital function of preventing many diseases that otherwise could bring severe illness and premature death to our pets. Because vaccines are so important in preserving and protecting the health of our pets, our goal is to vaccinate sufficiently without risking possible side effects or immune compromised diseases unnecessarily.
Potential Problems
Any vaccination can cause mild to moderate reactions such as fever, lethargy, facial swelling, hives, vomiting and diarrhea. If any of these symptoms are seen after your pets vaccination is given, call your veterinarian immediately. In rare instances, moments after the vaccine is given, severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest, which are potentially fatal, can occur. If your pet has a history of any reaction to a vaccination, there are precautions that must be taken. Many times, pre-medicating with oral or injectable antihistamines is needed to help avoid a reaction. Your Veterinarian can help with this by giving specific recommendations.
Puppies
Puppies under 16 weeks of age will continue their series of boosters. It takes multiple vaccinations in a series to develop proper immunity to these diseases.
Core Vaccines
The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) has determined through extensive research that the Rabies vaccine and the DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) vaccine are the Core Vaccines to give to all healthy dogs. Other vaccines such as Bordetella and Lyme disease vaccines should only be given to those dogs who have potential for exposure. When your dog is examined at Jefferson Animal Hospital, our doctors will consider your dog’s individual health condition, age, and lifestyle to determine his/her vaccine needs. Over-vaccinating your dog can be dangerous to his/her health.
| Vaccine |
Why Vaccinate? |
Who Needs This Vaccine? |
| Rabies |
Fatal disease for all warm-blooded animals including humans. Due to human health concerns vaccinating all dogs is required. |
• All Healthy Dogs over 4 months of age
• 1-Year or 3-Year Rabies
|
Distemper/
Hepatitis/
Parainfluenza/
Parvo (DHPP) |
All of these viruses can cause symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, cough, severe dehydration, immune suppression, of which can be fatal. Viruses are highly contagious and Parvo virus can even live in the soil. |
• Puppy series beginning at 6 weeks old
• Adult INDOOR dogs every other year
(over 3 years of age)
• Outdoor or Kenneled dogs – annually |
| Bordetella |
Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) is highly contagious with any contact with another infected dog. |
• Dogs that are kenneled or groomed or
exposed to any other dogs which might
be infected (ie in the park) |
| Lyme |
Tick-bourne disease. Symptoms are vague as pain, lethargic, fever, lameness. Some infected dogs do not show symptoms for over one year. |
• Dogs with any exposure to ticks such
as wooded areas, lakes, or even high
grassy areas. |
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