Dog Vaccination

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Briar Patch Veterinary Hospital

Dog Vaccination - FAQs 1

Dr Katherine Vissio
Briar Patch Veterinary Hospital

Are there any risks associated with dog vaccinations?

Yes, there are some risks associated with dog vaccinations. However, vaccines are generally extremely safe. The risks might include soreness at the site of injection or a bit of tiredness. Some dogs may have vaccine reactions either from previous history or underlying medical conditions. However, we believe that the benefits greatly outweigh these risks and each vaccination is administered with individual considerations.

Are there ways to minimize any risks associated with my dog vaccinations?

Indeed, we can minimize the risks associated with dog vaccinations by considering the health, age, or size of your pet. We can break out vaccines and limit it to two vaccines per visit. Minimizing risks could be breaking those vaccines up, not giving them all at once or even giving Benadryl beforehand to reduce the histamine release that comes from some vaccine reactions. We also consider your pet's risk factors, like how much they interact with other pets or with wildlife areas.

Are vaccinations painful to my dog?

Vaccinations can be a little uncomfortable. We administer them underneath the skin, not in the muscle, which makes it less uncomfortable. Most pets do not notice at all, though some can be a little bit more sensitive.

Can my dog get cancer from a vaccine?

The evidence does not support that cancer comes from vaccines, especially in dogs. We are constantly learning and improving the safety profile of our vaccines.

Can my dog have an allergic reaction to vaccines?

Yes, allergic reactions to vaccines are possible but very rare. The main signs you might notice would be facial swelling, hives, vomiting, and diarrhea. If that ever occurs, we note it in the record and respond quickly with medications like Benadryl or steroids if needed.

Is it safer to opt out of any non-core dog vaccinations?

If your dog is exposed to many dogs or to wildlife, they are at risk of catching diseases. In that situation, I would highly recommend vaccinating them for the non-core vaccines. However, we're not going to recommend vaccines if your pet is not at risk for those diseases. Safety is the primary factor.

Is there evidence to support that any particular breed has a poor response to vaccines?

There's not strong evidence to support that any particular breed has a poor response to vaccines. There are certain dog breeds that are more prone to reactions to things like ivermectin, which is in heartworm prevention, but not the vaccines themselves.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (607) 272-2828, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram

Dog Vaccination - FAQs 2

Dr Katherine Vissio
Briar Patch Veterinary Hospital

Are all puppy and dog vaccines necessary?

Vaccinations depend on your and your pet's lifestyle. They are not all necessary, many of them are highly recommended, some are required by law. We go over all of these things with you either at your initial puppy visit or any time you come in for a wellness visit. We'll assess your pet's individual risk and then recommend vaccinations based on that.

What are the core dog vaccinations?

Core dog vaccinations are rabies and distemper. Rabies is a severe life-threatening neurologic disease. The distemper-parvo-parainfluenza combo is another one that we recommend for all dogs, and they get multiple of those throughout their puppyhood until they are at least 16 weeks old. This timing ensures the pet's own immunity comes up from the maternal antibodies and protection weaning to make sure that they don't get diseases like parvovirus, which puppies are particularly prone to and can be very serious.

Are core dog vaccinations mandatory?

Nothing is mandatory, you can always decide on the vaccines for your pet. However, New York state law is very clear about rabies vaccines being required, especially not only for your pet's health but also for human public safety and public health.

What are the non-core vaccines and why would my dog need them?

Non-core vaccinations include things like Bordetella or kennel cough vaccine. This vaccine is important for dogs that have exposure to others at dog parks, daycares, or groomers. This exposure could lead to the spread of respiratory secretions, especially when aerosolized sprays are used. The same situation applies for the influenza vaccine, especially with the emergence of new respiratory viruses. Dogs vaccinated for Bordetella and influenza seem to recover much better and faster. Other non-core vaccines include those for leptospirosis and Lyme. Leptospirosis is a spiral-shaped bacteria transmitted in the urine of wild animals. Exposure could lead to severe illness that attacks the liver and kidneys. The Lyme vaccine is also a lifestyle vaccine. Lyme disease is very common in certain areas and can severely affect dogs causing limping, lameness, and in a small percentage of cases, fatal Lyme nephritis. The Lyme vaccine, in addition to tick prevention, offers a second line of defense to protect pets.

Does my senior dog still need core vaccines?

Yes, senior dogs do offer things like core vaccine titers, so it is possible that your pet may have sufficient antibodies to protect them from these diseases if they've had several vaccinations throughout their lifetime. However, we still recommend vaccinations because we don't want your pet to get sick with something potentially serious, especially if they're already dealing with other health issues later on in life.