What dog vaccines are core? Do dogs need DPP, Lepto, or Lyme?

DHPP does not contain leptospirosis, so that is the difference. Leptospirosis is an infection of bacterial spirochetes, and it is zoonotic meaning it can be passed to humans. It will also make your dog extremely sick. Yes the vaccine is safe, and it's highly recommended to give it to your dog to prevent her from getting this horrible diseases. I hope this helps!

Great question! Your dog needs a combination vaccine containing DHPPi (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza), as well as a rabies vaccine. If leptospirosis is a problem in your area, then I would recommend having your dog get a lepto vaccine. A kennel cough vaccine would be recommended as well if your dog will be placed in kennels at any time over the next year.

The answer to which vaccinations your dog needs depends on her age and her individual risk factors. I am attaching a link to the American Animal Hospital Association's vaccine guideline below. https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines/practice_vaccination.aspx They recommend that all dogs receive DAPP and Rabies vaccinations. Those vaccines are considered Core vaccinations. Any other vaccinations are considered Non-Core and are only recommended for dogs that are at risk of contracting those diseases. The above website also includes a Lifestyle-Based Vaccine Calculator to help you determine which diseases your dog may be at risk for, but be sure to discuss that with your veterinarian to make the best decision. The Healthy Dog Package at VetCo includes DAPP vaccination and 2 Non-Core vaccinations (Bordetella and Lepto), but does not include Rabies. https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/vaccination-packages-and-prices/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Correct, you are all set with this year's booster. While the lepto vaccine is not a core vaccine and probably never will, it is important to consider it in areas where the disease incidence is high. If there have been some cases nearby, I would not take my chances and I would recommend the vaccine. Keep in mind that even though there may not be cases reported just exactly where you are at, that does not mean that there has not been any leptospirosis, it just means that it has not been reported. I think you are better off going forward with the vaccine especially if recommended by your veterinarian who knows the area well and also knows Ivy well. Have a great day!

She is a pretty girl!!! The most important vaccination (and one required by law) is the Rabies vaccine. This is essential. The second most important vaccine is the Distemper vaccine, which is often a combo vaccine sometimes called a DHPP (protects against distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza). These vaccines are considered the "core vaccines" for dogs. Every dog should have them. The rest will depend on her lifestyle. I also recommend the Leptosporosis vaccine for dogs if they spend time outdoors in areas with creeks/puddles/ponds because this disease is a bacteria transmitted to dogs by contaminated water (rodents who have the disease urinate and it contaminates the water and the dogs can acquire it this way). The Lepto vaccine requries a series of 2 booster 3 to 4 weeks apart if she has never had it before. Other vaccines you may consider would include Lyme if your dog is outdoors and exposed to ticks and you are in a lyme endemic area, Bordetella also known as Kennel Cough if you ever take her to the park/groomer/kennel/dog classes/out for walks in areas with other dogs. Canine Influenza is another vaccine I recommend for dogs that come into contact with many other dogs/areas with many other dogs such as kennels or dog shows/events. That vaccine will also require a series of 2 vaccines several weeks apart if she has never had it before.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Linus. Based on the information you have provided, it doesn't sound like he ever finished his puppy series. The distemper-parvo combination vaccine (DHPP) is typically given every 2-4 weeks until the puppy is at least 16 weeks of age. The "L" of that combination is leptospirosis. That takes two vaccines to complete the series so this is likely fine. He should have a bordetella vaccine and depending on his lifestyle, influenza. I hope this information helps!

Leptospirosis is frequently spread via the urine of infected rodents and other mammals. If your dog spends time outdoors or "in the field", the lepto vaccine should be considered. There are many strains, or serovars, of leptospirosis that can infect dogs. It is important to confirm with your veterinarian that the vaccine protects against the 4 most common serovars as opposed to a vaccine that has only 2. An initial vaccine is administered and followed up with a booster 3-4 weeks later, then yearly afterwards.