Vaccination Schedule For All Dogs and Cost

What Is A Vaccination?

A vaccination contains a small, modified dose of an infectious disease. It is administered to the body in order to elicit a mild immune response. The disease is then imprinted on “memory” cells and the immune system is now “primed” or “immunized” for further encounters. It can now remember the virus so should it encounter it again it will be immediately ready.

The active agent of a vaccine may be intact but inactivated forms of the pathogens or they can be purified components of the pathogen, such as the proteins from the outer coat of the virus, that have been found to rouse the immune system. Once the system detects these in the bloodstream the immune reaction will occur.

Dog Vaccinations play a critical role in protecting your dog from many dangerous and even fatal diseases. While state law requires all dogs are vaccinated for rabies, there are a number of other vaccinations that can protect your dog from serious diseases that are easily preventable.

At Georgia Veterinary Associates we have spent decades educating people about the benefits of dog vaccinations. This includes what vaccines are necessary and how they should be Scheduled. Over the years we have been asked every question possible about dog vaccinations and we have compiled some of the most frequently asked ones for you here. This is only meant to be a general introduction to dog vaccinations. At your dog's next veterinary appointment, we will be happy to help you understand the vaccination recommendations for your Dog.

   

 

What Are Dog Vaccines And Why Are They Important?

Vaccines help prepare a dog's immune system to defend itself from any invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which mimic disease-causing organisms in a dog's immune system, but don't actually cause disease. The purpose of puppy vaccines and dog vaccines is to mildly stimulate the immune system by having it recognize the antigens present. This way, if a dog becomes exposed to the real disease, it's the immune system will recognize it, and therefore be prepared to fight it off, or at the least reduce its effects.

Are There Optional Dog Vaccines?

Although puppy vaccines and Dog Vaccinations are very important to the overall health and wellness of your canine companion, not every puppy or dog needs to be vaccinated against every disease. Some canine vaccinations should only be administered depending upon factors including:

• Age
• Medical history
• Environment
• Travel habits
• Lifestyle

Therefore, it is very important for us to discuss the vaccination protocol that's right for your canine companion at your next appointment.

Schedule For Dog Vaccination

Once your puppy reaches adulthood, and all of the core puppy vaccines have been administered, your veterinarian can begin implementing an adult Dog Vaccination Schedule. A dog vaccination schedule consists of periodic adult boosters*, which are combinations of the same type of DHPP vaccine administered to puppies, along with several other additions.

When dogs come in for their first one year visit, we recommend boosting their DHPP, Leptospirosis, and Rabies vaccines as well as Canine Influenza and Lyme if the lifestyle of the dog requires these vaccines. If Kennel Cough (Bordetella) is due at this time, it should also be administered

That said, here is a generally accepted guideline of the puppy vaccination schedule for the first year.

Puppy’s Age	Recommended Vaccinations	Optional Vaccinations
6 — 8 weeks	Distemper, parvovirus	Bordetella
10 — 12 weeks	DHPP (vaccines for distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus)	Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease per lifestyle as recommended by a veterinarian
16 —  18 weeks	DHPP, rabies	Influenza, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Bordetella per lifestyle
12 —  16 months	DHPP, rabies	Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease
Every 1— 2 years	DHPP	Influenza, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease per lifestyle
Every 1 —  3 years	Rabies (as required by law)	none

The Amount Of Time Each Vaccination Is Effective Is As Follows:

• DHPP - 3 years
• Rabies - 3 years
• Leptospirosis - 1 year
• Canine Influenza - 1 year
• Lyme Disease - 1 year
• Bordetella (Kennel Cough) - 6 months

  

Puppy Vaccinations Cost

How much vaccinations for your puppy will cost depends on several factors. Where you live is one: Veterinarians in crowded and expensive urban areas will charge more than a rural vet in a small town. In other words, there are significant differences in price. But no matter what the range in costs, some vaccines, such as the “core vaccines,” and for rabies, are necessary.

Vet Info has a helpful guide for the approximate cost of puppy Vaccinations for her first year.

• The average cost will be around $75—100. These will include the core vaccines, which are administered in a series of three: at 6-, 12-, and 16 weeks old.
• The core vaccines include the DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza). Your pup will also need a rabies vaccination, which is usually around $15—20. (Some clinics include the cost of the rabies vaccination.)
• Often animal shelters charge less for vaccines — approximately $20 — or are even free. If you acquired your dog from a shelter, he would most likely have been vaccinated, up until the age when you got him.

The initial Puppy Vaccination Costs during the first year are higher than during adulthood.

VACCINATING AT HOME

Vaccinating your pet at home can be quick, easy, and less expensive. It may also be less stressful for your pet to not have to travel. However, there are important considerations before vaccinating at home.

Only vaccinate healthy animals. Animals incubating any disease or stressed due to shipping, malnutrition, or parasitism may not achieve or maintain an adequate immune response.

Although rare, severe allergic reactions (anaphylactoid) may occur that require immediate veterinary care. ANTIDOTE: EPINEPHRINE

It is a good idea to speak with your veterinarian before beginning an at-home vaccination protocol.

Syringes and needles are considered hazardous waste and they must be disposed of in accordance with local laws and regulations. They CANNOT be put in the trash or recycling. Most cities and counties offer a sharp or medical waste program. Contact your local government for disposal details. Vials and unused contents should be burned or disposed of the same way.

What are some common side effects of vaccination?

Some of the most common mild side effects seen after immunization include:

• Redness, mild swelling, and tenderness at the vaccination site
• Decreased activity levels (fatigue)
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, or other respiratory symptoms, which may occur up to 2 to 4 days after an intranasal vaccine (vaccination with drops or sprays via the nostrils) is administered

If any of these signs last more than 24 hours or if your pet appears extremely uncomfortable, notify your veterinarian.

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