Does my healthy 10-year-old indoor dog need her vaccinations?

That is a great question. Vaccinations and the benefits and risks should be discussed with your veterinarian. This is best because your veterinarian knows your pets medical history and whether all the vaccinations are still ok to do based on your pets immune system and current health. Another thing to take into account is your pets exposure to certain diseases. Most pets at least go outside to potty, so that scenario can expose your pet to certain diseases like leptospirosis (found in rainwater and the soil) and distemper (mimics rabies symptoms). And if your pet gets groomed periodically or goes to doggy daycamps or parks, then the Bordetella vaccination would be recommended to protect them from upper airway infections. Rabies however is the only legally required vaccination by law for pets to get. I hope that this information is helpful. Best of luck moving forward.

Yes, it is recommended and in most places it is actually required by law. You will have to check your local laws to know if it is required in your area. Some clinics have a 3 year rabies vaccine that only needs to be updated every 3 years. You an ask your vet about that. I am not sure if it is available in your country. Even though the dog is indoors most of the time, bats and other animals can get into your yard and/or in your house. In the United States most animals get infected when bats get into the house. The rabies vaccination is also important if your dog was to bite someone that comes into your house. It is for everyone's protection. Easy thing to do and inexpensive.

The codes regarding rabies vaccines can vary from place to place. You can look up local ordinances regarding frequency of vaccinations. You can also opt for having a rabies titer done instead of a vaccination. Many people decide to just get the vaccine since it is often less expensive. Ask your vet what your options are. Rabies vaccines are required by law since it is transmissible to humans and is so deadly. Titers may or may not be an option depending on the laws in your area.

Hello. A lot depends on what might be considered a problem in your area. For example, there have only been sporadic outbreaks across the country of Canine Influenza, & Lymes Disease is more of an issue east of the Mississippi. The AVMA considers the core or necessary vaccinations Rabies, Distemper, Adenovirus & Parvovirus, all of which can be given every 1, 2 or 3 years. You need to discuss this with your veterinarian as to what they see in their other patients, & also what you are comfortable with given your lifestyle with Cloud. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Your crew is adorable! Thanks for including a picture. The answer to which vaccinations your dogs need and how frequently depends on their ages and 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 In general, 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 dogs may be at risk for, but be sure to discuss that with your veterinarian to make the best decision. DAPP vaccinations are generally given every 3 years in adult dogs. The Rabies vaccination is given every 1-3 years depending on your local requirements. The non-core vaccinations do not appear to last as long, so those vaccination need to be given more frequently, but it sounds like your dogs are not likely at risk for those diseases. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hello, and thanks for your question. The ultimate decision will need to be made by your primary vet - but I would absolutely keep them both current on their rabies vaccinations, even if they have chronic health concerns. The rabies virus is 100% fatal, and can be spread to people, so it's just not worth the risk of letting their vaccine status lapse. In many states the law requires a current rabies vaccine. The rabies vaccine is very safe, so it is very rare that I will stop keeping a patient of mine current on the vaccine. Hope this helps! I can tell you're trying to make the best decisions for your dogs!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Abby. I typically recommend the bordetella vaccine, distemper-parvo combination, rabies and leptospirosis. Highly social dogs receive the influenza vaccine, but this may be unnecessary for her if she is not going to dog parks, doggy daycare, etc due to her aggression. I hope this information helps!