18 Nov What Vaccines Does My Dog Need?

When you first become a dog owner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the questions you may have. You want to get everything right for your new furry friend, from the type of food they eat to the type of vet care they need, but it’s hard to know what veterinary information to trust. 

We have found that one of the most common questions from new dog owners is, “What vaccines does my dog need?” At PetWellClinic, we recommend certain vaccines to protect your dog against highly contagious diseases. Our goal is to give you the peace of mind to know you’re giving your dog exactly what they need to be happy and healthy. 

So, what vaccines does your dog really need?

What vaccinations are necessary for a dog?

There are some vaccines that all dogs should receive in order to protect themselves from infectious, and potentially deadly, diseases. At PetWellClinic, we include the following vaccines in all of our dog wellness packages:

• 5-in-1 Vaccine (DAPP)
• Lepto 4-Way Vaccine
• Bordetella Vaccine

5-in-1 Vaccine (DAPP)

5-in-1 (DAPP) vaccines are able to protect against many severe dog diseases with just one shot. If your dog reacts negatively to vet visits or shots in general, this type of vaccine is perfect for getting it all done quickly and easily. All dogs should receive the 5-in-1 (DAPP) vaccine as a puppy and then every few years as a booster shot.

The diseases that the 5-in-1 (DAPP) vaccine protects against include:

• Canine distemper virus
• Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1)
• Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2)
• Canine parainfluenza
• Canine parvovirus

Canine Distemper Vaccine

The first vaccine included in the 5-in-1 (DAPP) is for canine distemper. Distemper is a very severe virus that attacks the gastrointestinal and nervous systems in dogs. Since there is no cure for canine distemper, making sure your dog is vaccinated early on can truly be life-saving. This vaccine is recommended for puppies at six to eight weeks old.

Canine Adenovirus Vaccine

The next two vaccines included in the 5-in-1 (DAPP) are for canine adenovirus. There are two types of adenovirus that vaccines can protect against:

• Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), also known as canine hepatitis
• Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), which is known for causing kennel cough

Both types of canine adenovirus can cause severe, and even fatal, diseases in dogs, which is why they’re included in the 5-in-1 (DAPP) vaccine.

Canine Parainfluenza Vaccine

Canine parainfluenza is a viral lung infection that can easily spread between dogs. This infection is also known to cause kennel cough, as well as other troublesome symptoms like fever, nasal discharge, and sneezing. Fortunately, this is another virus covered in the 5-in-1 (DAPP) vaccine. 

Canine Parvovirus Vaccine

Parvovirus (parvo) is the fifth highly contagious disease that it is important to protect your dog from with the 5-in-1 (DAPP) vaccine. Luckily, canine parvovirus vaccinations are virtually 100% effective, so staying on top of their vaccines is the best way to protect your furry friend. 

Unvaccinated puppies who are less than four months old are the most at risk to contract parvovirus. This is why the parvovirus vaccine is recommended for puppies at six to eight weeks of age, then every three weeks until they are at least 16 weeks of age. Each year after that, your dog should get a parvo booster shot. 

If your puppy is not yet fully vaccinated, it’s crucial to limit their socialization with other pets and in public. You can speak to your PetWellClinic veterinarian about what that looks like for your puppy, and check out our puppy wellness packages.

To learn more about canine parvovirus, read our blog!

Lepto 4-Way Vaccine

Another critical vaccine that is included in all PetWellClinic dog wellness packages is the Lepto 4-way vaccination. This shot protects against Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause severe harm to your pup’s kidney and liver. This vaccine may be required by your dog’s daycare or boarding facility to keep everyone safe, so we recommend that all dogs receive it.

Doggy daycares and boarders also tend to prioritize vaccinations against a highly contagious airborne infection called canine infectious tracheobronchitis, also known as kennel cough. But how do you know if your dog is vaccinated against kennel cough?

Bordetella Vaccine

Is my dog vaccinated against kennel cough?

Kennel cough is highly contagious and can be caused by a few different viruses and bacteria. The canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) vaccine protects against one of those viruses, but there are other vaccines that your dog should have in order to be fully protected against kennel cough.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is actually the most common cause of canine kennel cough. Dogs can easily pick up Bordetella from being in contact with other dogs, whether that’s while they’re being boarded or simply walking through the neighborhood dog park. This means that the best way to prevent kennel cough is to make sure your dog has their Bordetella vaccination. 

Since kennel cough is so contagious, we recommend that dogs get the Bordetella vaccine annually. It’s conveniently included in all PetWellClinic wellness packages for dogs and puppies.

Rabies Vaccine

Rabies vaccinations are required by law in most states to keep both yourself and your pet safe. However, state laws do vary in terms of how rabies vaccines should be administered and how often they’re needed. 

At PetWellClinic, we provide a convenient rabies vaccine in each of our puppy wellness packages. You can also add a rabies vaccine to one of our dog wellness packages, or purchase it a la carte with a physical exam.

Do dogs need special care after receiving a vaccine?

After your dog receives their vaccines at PetWellClinic, they’ll likely show no ill effects. Some dogs may have minor reactions, such as tiredness or general discomfort. As long as they have time to rest and recover, these sorts of reactions are nothing to worry about.

However, if your dog does start to show signs of serious reactions, such as difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, or facial swelling, take them to an emergency vet immediately. While these reactions are not common, they could signal a serious underlying condition in your pet.

Convenient Puppy Wellness Packages

The vaccines we’ve mentioned are typically administered to puppies at a young age to reduce their risk of disease. To make caring for your pup as easy as possible, PetWellClinic offers convenient puppy wellness packages that bundle these vaccines with other preventative care necessities. 

Basic Puppy Package

Our Basic Puppy Package is essential for providing your puppy with the veterinary care they need early on. The Basic Puppy Package includes the following on your puppy’s first visit (6-8 weeks of age):

• A full physical examination
• Canine 5-in-1 (DAPP)
• Fecal test (so please bring in a stool sample)
• Deworming for hookworms and roundworms on your puppy’s first visit

Every three weeks after that, your puppy will receive a canine 5-in-1 (DAPP) booster as well as another deworming and fecal test. This will be repeated until your puppy has at least two DAPPs given over 12 weeks of age. 

On the last two visits, your puppy will receive a Leptospirosis vaccination. Then, on their final puppy plan visit, your dog will receive a rabies vaccine and a Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine. 

Plus Puppy Package

The Plus Puppy Package goes above and beyond the Basic Puppy Package. It includes everything that the Basic Puppy Package has, but it also adds on the following at every puppy plan visit:

• A full physical examination
• Nail trim
• Dose of heartworm preventative

The Plus Puppy Package is a great option for new puppy parents looking to provide the best possible care to their furry friend.

Get everything you need for your new canine with our Puppy Wellness Packages!

Walk-In Dog Vaccines

At PetWellClinic, we administer the necessary vaccines to protect your dog against the most common and contagious canine diseases. Our goal is always to inform and educate pet owners so you know what your dog needs to stay happy and healthy.

Walk into your local PetWellClinic today to stay up to date on your dog’s vaccines!

PetWellClinic is dedicated to being here for pet owners. We have locations and services built with convenience in mind. Stop by with your pet any time! No appointment necessary.