If you are a new dog parent, you are at the place to know about the Dog Vaccinations schedules that’s very important to keep your dog strong, robust, and fit as a fiddle. Just like for humans, Vaccination plays a very crucial role to defend against fatal diseases in dogs. Vaccination and Deworming are the basic pillars of disease prevention. You must vaccinate your dog periodically for disease prevention and for your safety as well.

Why vaccinating your dog is important?

Dog vaccinations are composed of weakened disease-causing agents that stimulate the immune system but are unable to cause disease. On stimulation of the immune system, the body of the individual prepares specific antibodies, making the individual immune to disease. The main aim of vaccination is to prepare the body against any specific disease in advance.

Dog Vaccination also plays a role in stopping the spread of deadly diseases like rabies in a specific geographic area.

According to WSAVA, Journal of Small Animal Practice,

“Vaccination play two important roles. Firstly, it protects dogs against fatal diseases. Secondly, it also helps to decrease the prevalence of the disease in the specific area”

Types of Dog vaccines

Based on importance and essentiality, dog vaccines are categorized into core and non-core.

Core Vaccines for dogs (basic vaccines)

Core vaccines for dogs are those which are essential and should be administered to every dog irrespective of geographic location and lifestyle. Core vaccines protect dogs against very serious health issues like rabies, canine parvovirus, canine distemper, etc.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association guidelines following are the core vaccines for dogs.

Canine Distemper
Canine Parvovirus
Adenovirus-Hepatitis
Canine Parainfluenza virus
Rabies

In the executive summary section of WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) guidelines for vaccination 2010, the number of core vaccines was reduced to avoid the frequent use of vaccines in pets.

Non-core Dog Vaccines

Non-core vaccines are not essential for all dogs rather they should be administered based on factors including the lifestyle of the dog. These are not essential but, in some areas, it becomes essential if the disease is prevalent. Non-core vaccines can be administered by keeping in view the travel history, interaction with other pets, and lifestyle of the dog.

Non-core vaccines names for a dog include

Bordetella (kennel cough)
Leptospira
Lyme vaccine
Canine influenza (dog flu)

Vaccination schedule for Dogs

What is 7 in 1 Vaccination for dogs?

At the age of 6 weeks, a puppy should be given the first shot of 7-in-1 vaccination (7-in-1 vaccination includes Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Corona Viral Enteritis, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis), if a pup has been on mother’s milk otherwise start vaccination as soon as possible.

At the age of 9 weeks, 2^nd dose includes Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Bordetella, and leptospirosis.

At the age of 12 weeks, booster shots of all the vaccines mentioned above.

At the age of 16 weeks, a secondary vaccination booster shot will be administered.

Then, revaccination for booster shots will be administered every year onwards.

Based on lifestyle and medical history, some dogs need additional vaccines. We recommend you see a veterinarian or consult a veterinary doctor online for a better understanding.

Dog Vaccination Price

Dog vaccination price in India varies from 150 to 400 INR for one vaccine depending upon the brand of vaccine, the dosage of vaccine, age of the dog, and breed of dog. It will roughly make the price of puppy or dog vaccination almost 1500 to 2500 INR for one-time administration.

Dog Vaccine prices in the United States range between 15$ to 25$ per shot and 75$ to 150$ for packages including Core Vaccination, doctor examination, and blood screening, which may be charged as applicable.

Rabies Vaccine for dogs

Rabies vaccination for dogs is essential and also mandatory by the law of various countries. The first shot of rabies will be administered at the age of 3 months. A Booster shot will be administered at the age of 15 to 16 weeks. Onwards, a booster shot will be administered annually.

Is it safe to vaccinate your dog?

The benefits of vaccination are exceedingly greater than their harms. It’s generally all safe to vaccinate your dog and it also provides prevention against deadly diseases. Sometimes due to some factors like age, medical history, and breed of the dog, vaccines react adversely to cause potential health issues but, it’s rare.

What are the Side effects of Dog Shots?

Most side effects of vaccines are mild and bearable which can be ignored just like in humans. It includes mild fever, laziness, and temporary pain. But sometimes when vaccines react adversely signs and symptoms will be more serious including swelling of paws, facial swelling, diarrhoea, vomiting, and difficulty in breathing. In case, you need to consult your Vet immediately.

Vaccines for Dogs – Everything to Know