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Just as with cats, we like to tailor a vaccine protocol specifically for each dog. The two vaccines we recommend for all dogs, whether they spend any time outside or not, are the canine distemper vaccine and the rabies vaccine.
The canine distemper vaccine is actually shorthand for a vaccine that protects your dog from a number of dangerous infections, including distemper (which attacks the nervous, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tracts and is usually fatal), parvovirus (a severe gastrointestinal infection that causes bloody diarrhea) and a hepatitis virus (which attacks the liver). These infections do not always require direct contact to spread.
As discussed above, the rabies vaccine is required by state law for every dog. Rabies is a serious human health risk. It is invariably fatal, and if your pet is exposed to the virus, all humans who may have contacted the pet will require post-exposure treatment for rabies. In addition, if your pet is not current on its rabies vaccine and either bites a human or sustains a bite wound from a suspicious animal or animal of unknown origin, you may legally be required to quarantine your pet or have your pet humanely euthanized for rabies testing.
There are 2 optional vaccines that we administer to dogs if it is appropriate. The first is the Lyme vaccine, for protection against Lyme disease. Unfortunately we live in an area with high rate of Lyme disease, but the vaccine is safe and effective.
If your dog spends any time in grasses, brush, in the woods, or at the beach where ticks are commonly found, we highly recommend the Lyme vaccine. The second optional vaccine is the Bordatella vaccine, which is required for dogs that will be going to a boarding facility or doggy day care.
It is often recommended for dogs that frequently go to the groomer as well. Finally, a vaccine for a bacterial infection known as Leptospirosis is available. This vaccine is recommended for hunting dogs and dogs that have access to standing water that can become contaminated by urine of an infected dog, raccoon, skunk, horse, or small rodent. Your dog must drink the contaminated water or have it contact mucus membranes (such as the eye, nose, or open wounds) to become infected.
Leptospirosis can be transmitted to people, and it causes liver and kidney failure. If your dog can drink standing water with wildlife access, we recommend the leptospirosis vaccine. Leptospirosis is now considered a core vaccine by the AVMA and AAHA.