Protecting your dog matters and isn’t a one size fits all policy. In today’s world of pet vaccine clinics, it can be easily overlooked that your best friend deserves an immunization plan specific to them. The type of vaccination your dog receives is important and, at Healing Paws Veterinary Care, we recommend vaccination plans that are both effective and safe for your dog; following the American Animal Hospital Association’s most current guidelines to be sure of it!

For every patient that we vaccinate for Rabies, Healing Paws provides vaccination for a shelter pet!

Canine Vaccines That Prevent and Reduce Disease

All vaccinations given to dogs at Healing Paws Veterinary Care are analyzed to be the lowest volume, purest lines, with the most minimal side effects and highest levels of effectiveness available. When we choose a vaccine for your dog, we are choosing the vaccine brand that we also give our own dogs!

Rabies

Rabies vaccinations are given every 1-3 years based on your dog’s age, the brand of vaccination, AAHA vaccination guidelines and state requirements.Because Rabies is a disease that is always fatal, can not be tested for prior to death, and is transmissible to humans, Pennsylvania state law requires all pet dogs be vaccinated for Rabies. This protects not only you and your dog from Rabies but also protects you from the sad possibility of needing to have them isolated from you in lengthy Rabies quarantines and potentially euthanized for testing in the unfortunate event that they bite someone out of pain or fear.

DHPP, DAPP or DHLPP (aka “distemper”)

DHPP protects your dog from the deadly diseases of distemper virus, hepatitis caused by adeno virus, parvo virus and parainfluenza (if included). If there is an “L” in your dog’s distemper vaccination title that means it also protects for leptospirosis (see below). These viruses are spread by respiratory secretions and feces so are spread by your pet ingesting dirt in their mouth or inhaling other dog’s respiratory droplets, or coming in contact with your clothing if it has been exposed. Dogs are recommended to receive an initial series of 2-4 vaccinations based on their age and risk and then the “Distemper” vaccination should be boostered every 1-3 years based on your dog’s risk, lifestyle, and current guidelines. Your veterinarian will determine if your dog should receive leptospirosis vaccination combined in the distemper vaccine or separately.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a spiral-shaped bacteria that causes serious kidney and liver disease and is easily spread to humans. Leptospirosis is spread through water or urine (of many kinds of animals) when that water or urine comes into contact with irritated skin or mucous membranes. Vaccinating your dog for leptospirosis protects both your dog and your family from this serious disease. Dogs are recommended to receive an initial series of 2 vaccinations based on their age and risk favor and then they should receive a booster every year.

Lyme

Pennsylvania has an incidence of canine lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) significantly higher than any other state and proper vaccination along with the use of excellent prescription flea and tick prevention is the best way to protect your dog from this disease that causes painful joint disease and potentially kidney and heart disease. The brand of vaccination very much matters as to how it works to protect your pet and a lot of out-of-date data is on the internet about Lyme vaccination. Ask your veterinarian about the best Lyme vaccination for your pet. At Healing Paws Veterinary Care we recommend the use of Recombitek lyme vaccination for both safety and efficacy. Your dog should receive an initial series of 2 vaccinations and yearly boosters along with tick disease screening yearly.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a generalized name for bronchitis that is caused by numerous contagious organisms spread through respiratory secretions. Kennel cough is very contagious and can lead to pneumonia. Dogs who go to grooming, boarding, dog parks, pet stores, or training classes should be protected against the most common causes of Kennel Cough – bordatella, adenovirus and parainfluenza. This vaccination requires an initial series of 1-2 vaccinations and then annual boosters.

Influenza

In dogs, there are two strains of influenza -H3N8 and H3N2. Canine influenza is spread through respiratory secretions and can cause highly deadly pneumonia, spreading quickly to other dogs. Dogs who go to grooming, boarding, dog parks, pet stores, or training classes should be protected against both strains of canine influenza. This vaccination requires an initial series of 2 vaccinations and then annual boosters.

Your dog’s safe and effective protocol will be based on entering their lifestyle, risk, and age factors into account using the dog specific and science based guidelines found here: AAHA Vaccination Guidelines

It is normal for your dog to be sore or tired after vaccinations as their immune system does its job of creating immunity. This normally is mild and should last no more than 24 hrs. If an ice pack and rest does not make your dog comfortable please call us so that we can help.

Want more information about vaccine side effects?
Vaccine Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

Interested in vaccine titers as an alternative to vaccinating your dog?
Canine Vaccine Titers

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