Vaccinations For Dogs

 

Taranaki Dogs Should Be Vaccinated For:

 

Core Vaccination

Often referred to as the "Parvo" vaccination, the core vaccination Nobivac DHPPI, provides protection against all of the following diseases:

Distemper (Canine Distemper Virus) - This viral disease is a worldwide problem that fortunately is now only sporadic in New Zealand, due to ongoing vaccination. It most often leads to signs of fever, lethargy, neurological problems, seizures, lung problems and frequently death. Treatment for the disease is difficult, with our main option being only to provide supportive care.

Parvo (Parvovirus) - “Parvo” is still an ongoing issue in Taranaki (and the rest of New Zealand), due to the extremely strong survival of the virus in the environment, which can last up to several months or years in the right conditions. A dog will normally present with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, reluctance to eat, dehydration, lethargy and this can often lead to death. Chances of recovery are worst in young or immune-suppressed dogs. “Black and tan breed” dogs (Dobermans, Rottweilers, Pitbulls, German Shepherds) and English Springer Spaniels are more susceptible than most breeds. 

Infectious Hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus) - This disease is also very contagious and leads to fevers, liver disease, reluctance to eat, neurological signs and often death. Still present worldwide, Infectious Hepatitis is no longer common in New Zealand with good vaccination compliance.

Canine Parainfluenza - This virus is a component of the Canine Cough/Kennel Cough disease and will be described further below.

 

Core vaccination protocol for puppies

Most puppies will receive some immunity (in the form of antibodies) from their mother if she was vaccinated. This immunity starts to wane within several weeks - for this reason we vaccinate regularly throughout the 6 to 12 week old period so that we minimise their risk period. Most puppies will receive a core vaccination at 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age or 8 and 12 weeks depending on whether the breeder does an early vaccination. For breeds at higher risk of Parvo virus (Black and tan breeds, English Springer Spaniels), and immune-suppressed puppies, an extra DHPPi puppy booster is usually recommended at around 14-16 weeks old.

Please note: Different brands of "core" vaccines have different registrations for both the age that the final puppy vaccine may be given, and the revaccination interval. For this reason - a different protocol may have been used in the past if you have visited another vet clinic that stocks a different brand of vaccine. At Vets4Pets we use the Nobivac DHPPI vaccine because it is registered for an earlier puppy vaccine finish - meaning that puppies that come to our clinic can go out for walks & socialise earlier. This vaccine is also registered to be repeated every 3 years - not yearly like some other "core" vaccines - saving you money and giving you peace of mind with a highly effective vaccine. 

 

Core vaccination protocol for adult dogs

Adults only require one initial dose of the core vaccination. 

The core vaccination is repeated every 3 years from then on.

 

Recommended Vaccinations

Canine Leptospirosis Vaccination

This disease is a bacterial infection, capable of infecting most mammals including people. There are several different subtypes that have tendencies to infect particular species, with dogs often being infected by a subtype transmitted by rats, in their urine. For this reason it is more commonly seen in farm dogs or dogs that swim in rivers and lakes. Disease symptoms can vary from mild, unseen clinical signs to multiple organ failure and death. In New Zealand, Canine Leptospirosis has most commonly been observed in the Upper North Island, but confirmed cases have been seen in Taranaki within recent years. This disease and its transmission within several species is still a hot topic in Veterinary research.

Current Vaccination protocols involve a vaccine given as early as 8-9 weeks old, followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later and then strict annual revaccination.

 

Infectious Tracheobronchitis - Canine Cough / Kennel Cough Vaccination

Traditionally known as “kennel cough”, the name “canine cough” has been used in recent years to highlight that dogs may pick up and pass on the disease in every-day life, with normal social interaction between dogs. Multiple agents may interact (Canine adenovirus II, Canine parainfluenza virus, Distemper, Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria) to form a disease that is generally characterised by a dry, harsh cough. Frequent retching / gagging up white frothy saliva also occurs, with coughing usually lasting for 2-3 weeks. Most dogs recover without treatment, but young, old or immune-suppressed dogs may go on to develop bronchopneumonia and become very unwell. No vaccine is 100% protective but the intranasal vaccine tends to work faster and more effectively, aiming to reduce the incidence and severity of disease.

Vaccination is completed either with a single “squirt” of liquid up the nose, or 2 injections given under the skin, 2-4 weeks apart. This vaccine should be repeated annually.

 

Vets4Pets Standard Vaccination Programme for Puppies

Below is a common vaccination schedule for the first 2 years of life. Owners may choose to do all or only some of the vaccination types. 

• 6 weeks old     - 1st core vaccine
• 9 weeks old     - 2nd core vaccine, 1st lepto
• 12 weeks old   - 3rd core vaccine , 2nd lepto, canine cough 
• 15 months old (1 year later) - booster lepto and canine cough
• Dogs are then vaccinated yearly for lepto and canine cough and three yearly for DHPPi (the core vaccine). 

Your puppy's vaccination needs may vary, we will discuss this with you to suit your needs.

Dogs who are being transported overseas may have different vaccination requirements, depending on the destination country. If you are intending to transport your pet overseas, please contact a veterinary clinic at least 3 months before you intend to travel.