Dog & Puppy Vaccines

Rabies is spread to unvaccinated animals through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly skunks, raccoons, coyotes and foxes. In unvaccinated animals, rabies causes muscle spasms, paralysis and death—and once symptoms appear, there is no viable treatment. Its lethality and ease of transmission are why most states require a rabies vaccine for dogs by law. Even if your state doesn’t legally require it, every dog should be vaccinated for rabies unless your veterinarian recommends against vaccination for medical reasons.

How often does my dog need a rabies shot?

The DHPP vaccine for dogs is a combined vaccination for distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus. Distemper affects dogs’ respiratory and nervous systems and can cause coughing, sneezing and neurological problems. This disease is often fatal. The adenovirus vaccine protects dogs against both CAV-2—which can cause kennel cough—and liver infections caused by CAV-1.

The parainfluenza vaccine protects against another strain of kennel cough.

Parvovirus is a deadly disease that commonly affects puppies. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea and often death, even with aggressive treatment. It’s also highly contagious, so pet parents should keep young dogs out of communal areas until two weeks after they’ve had all puppy vaccinations and boosters.

The Bordetella vaccine protects dogs from two strains of kennel cough but not all of them. It’s commonly referred to as the “kennel cough vaccination.”

Bordetella isn’t always fatal, but it can be. This disease causes terrible coughing and vomiting and can be highly contagious. That’s why this vaccine is often required for dogs who are boarded or attend day care. It’s recommended for any dog who is frequently in communal areas with other dogs.

Canine influenza is another virus that can cause kennel cough, although it’s not as common as Bordetella, parainfluenza or CAV-2. It can be very contagious, however, and pet parents whose pups spend time in communal environments should consider this dog vaccination.

The leptospirosis "lepto" vaccine for dogs became well known relatively recently. Leptospirosis is carried by rodents and other wildlife and is commonly transmitted through contaminated standing water or mud—typically puddles or ponds. It can cause vomiting, lethargy, increased thirst and fever. Luckily, it can be treated, and most dogs make a full recovery. Still, if you live in a high-risk area with stagnant water and lots of wildlife, the lepto vaccine may be recommended for your pup.

The Lyme vaccine for dogs is another vaccination whose need is typically determined by where you live. Lyme vaccinations are more common in the northeastern United States—where the disease is most common—and the upper Midwest and mid-Atlantic states. Reported cases of Lyme disease are increasing across the country, so this may be worth getting if your pet spends lengthy amounts of time outdoors.

Lyme disease can cause inflammation of the joints, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, sensitivity to touch and labored breathing. It’s usually not fatal and can be treated on an outpatient basis, but in some cases, it can become a lifelong, recurring condition. Flea and tick prevention can be integral to preventing this disease, but the Lyme vaccine can provide an extra layer of protection.