Core Canine Vaccinations vs. Non-Core Canine Vaccinations

At the present time, canine vaccinations are divided into two categories: core and non-core canine vaccinations.

  • Core canine vaccinations are those that are considered to be important to all dogs.
  • Non-core canine vaccinations are those that may not be appropriate for some dogs because of a low risk of infection.

Core Canine Vaccinations

Core canine vaccinations include:

  • canine rabies vaccine
  • canine distemper vaccine
  • canine adenovirus (CAV-2) vaccine
  • canine parvovirus vaccine

Rabies is a disease which can infect both pets and people and it is a fatal disease once acquired. Because of the serious nature of rabies, most communities have implemented laws requiring rabies vaccines for all dogs.

Rabies vaccines should be started for puppies at 12 weeks of age and should be boostered one year later. After that, how often the canine rabies vaccine needs to be given to your dog depends to a large extent on the laws governing your community. Usually the canine rabies vaccine must be given every year, every two years or every three years, but you should check with your veterinarian to determine when your dog needs to be vaccinated against rabies.

Canine Distemper Vaccination, Canine Adenovirus Vaccination and Canine Parvovirus Vaccination

Canine distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus are all diseases which are or have been quite common. They are easily transmitted and quite serious once acquired. Many times these diseases are fatal. For these reasons, vaccinations against these diseases are considered core vaccines and are important for all dogs.

Vaccinations against canine distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus are often included in the same multi-valent vaccine. This vaccine is called a DAP vaccine. Sometimes these viruses are combined in the same vaccine with other viruses as well, usually leptospirosis and parainfluenza. These vaccines are then known as DA2PPL or DHLPP vaccinations.

DAP vaccines should be started for puppies at 6-8 weeks of age and boostered every 3-4 weeks until the puppy reaches at least 14-16 weeks of age. Some veterinarians feel that 16 weeks is the minimum age to give the last "puppy booster".

The DAP or DHLPP vaccine should be boostered again one year later. After this booster, your veterinarian may advise continuing to administer the vaccine every year. The manufacturers of these vaccines only label the vaccine for yearly use.

Non-Core Canine Vaccinations

Non-core canine vaccinations include:

  • Lyme disease vaccine
  • Leptospirosis vaccine
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica (canine kennel cough) vaccine
  • Coronavirus vaccine
  • Giardia vaccine
  • Distemper-measles vaccine
  • Periodontal disease vaccine
  • Rattlesnake vaccine

Leptospirosis is more common in some areas than in others. Though it is not considered a core vaccination, your veterinarian may recommend vaccinating your dog against leptospirosis if the disease is common in your community and poses a threat for your dog.

Lyme disease is carried by ticks and dogs which are prone to tick infestation are candidates for the Lyme disease vaccine.

Bordetella bronchiseptica (or canine kennel cough) is a respiratory disease which is spread easily in kennel situations. The "kennel cough" vaccine may be recommended for your dog if he is going to be placed in a boarding kennel or other kennel situation, dog parks, or doggie day care.

Coronavirus is an intestinal disease affecting primarily young dogs. Canine coronavirus vaccination is probably not necessary for most adult dogs unless they are to be placed in a location where it has been previously diagnosed. On occasion, it may be recommended for young dogs and puppies.

The Giardia vaccine is generally not recommended because of questions about its efficacy. Although the vaccine does not seem to be efficient at preventing disease caused by Giardia, it is sometimes used for therapeutic treatment of already infected dogs.

The distemper-measles vaccine was once very commonly used to prevent distemper in very young puppies but it not used as commonly today. It is still used by some veterinarians and breeders to protect their very young puppies though it is not a vaccine that is endorsed by AVMA guidelines.

The periodontal disease vaccine is a fairly recent vaccine to come on the market and is marketed as an aid in preventing and controlling oral disease in dogs. The AVMA guidelines take no position on this vaccine.

The AVMA guidelines also did not issue a position on the rattlesnake vaccine, although this vaccine does not seem to be in wide use.