What vaccines are recommended for my aggressive dog who is outdoors?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Abby. The rabies vaccine is required by law so this vaccine is absolutely necessary. I recommend keeping her current on her other vaccines as well. The annual exam is just as important to ensure that she stays healthy especially as she ages. I recommend a scheduling an appointment with her veterinarian to discuss risk factors in your area based on her lifestyle. From there, you can decide together on vaccinating her. I hope this information helps!

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.

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.

There are a variety of vaccines that are considered core vaccines (and some others that may be necessary depending on where you live and if Haley will be spending time at a boarding kennel or around other dogs). Core vaccines include the Rabies vaccine and Distemper/parvovirus vaccines. Depending on where you live Haley may also need a Lepto vaccine or Lyme vaccine. Finally, if she will be around other dogs frequently (like at a boarding kennel or groomers) she may need her Bordetella and Influenza vaccine. The best thing to do would be to have Haley checked out by a veterinarian. That way they can discuss the risk factors in your area and recommend the appropriate vaccines. At bare minimum Haley needs her Rabies and distemper/parvo vaccines. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and good luck with Haley!

Hello. Adult dogs should be kept current on their Rabies vaccination, Distemper/hepatitis/leptospirosis/parainfluenza/parvo vaccines. Depending on their lifestyle, Bordetella and Influenza may be recommended. These would be important for dogs that board at kennel facilities, go to groomers or frequent dog parks. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bingo. I would recommend the leptospirosis vaccine if you are doing hiking with him. This is a bacterial infection that is excreted in the urine of wildlife. It is a very serious disease in dogs, but can also be spread to humans. I recommend the Bordetella vaccine for all dogs as well. I hope this information helps!

A pit bull is a big enough dog to get as many vaccines at once that she needs. You will need to discuss what she needs with your vet. It depends on her lifestyle, where you live, etc. The core vaccinations that all dogs need are DA2PP (distemper, parvo, hepatitis) and rabies. Other vaccines again, are dependent on her lifestyle. If she is not good around other dogs I would just call the vet clinic you are planning to take her to and tell them the situation. I am sure they can arrange to take you guys directly into an exam room so you don't have to wait in the lobby with other dogs. You can also go in by yourself when you arrive and once the lobby is clear from other dogs you can go out and bring her in. Most vet clinics are very accommodating to this. I strongly suggest you use an independent vet clinic and not one located in a pet store like Banfield because they will never be free of other dogs. Hope this helps. Best wishes.