The health and well being of your pet is just as important as your own. There are several diseases out there that can affect dogs. Since prevention is better than cure, the best way to protect your puppy from such ailments is vaccination. There are certain infections that dogs are at greatest risk of contracting and may pose a threat to pubic health as well. In order to keep such diseases at bay the following vaccines are given priority over others. Such vaccines are called “High Priority (CORE) vaccines.” Some of the vaccines that are grouped under this heading are:
i> Rabies (RV) { not a Core Vaccine in countries where rabies has been eradicated}
ii> Canine Adenovirus-2 (CAV-2)
iii> Canine Parvovirus-2 (CPV-2)
iv> Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
Today, CAV-2 vaccine, which was formerly only used for vaccination against infectious hepatitis, also includes the PI vaccine for protection against parainfluenza. Rabies vaccine is compulsory for puppies aged between 4 and 6 months in the United States, followed up by a booster shot a year later and once annually for the next three years.
Duration of Immunity:
Research has brought into light the fact that more than 90% of dogs, if fully immunized, remain immune to adenovirus-2 and parvovirus-2 for not less than seven years. If a pup is administered a vaccination before 4 months, full immunization may not be attained due to interference by maternal antibodies. Immunization to corona-virus lasts a lifetime and for distemper; it may last up to 15 years. 80-85% dogs retain immunity to rabies and parainfluenza for about 3 years. That the duration of immunization varies according to type of vaccine used should not be overlooked. For example, dead parvovirus has shorter duration of immunity than a modified live virus. Tests show one strain of distemper attaining longer immunity duration than others. Modern recombinant vaccines produce a longer duration of immunity and work more efficiently.
Bacterial vaccines, like vaccines to bordatella, leptospira, borrelia (lyme) and giardia provide short-term immunization (usually less than a year) and may be effective in a much lower percentage of canines.
Minimalist Approach:
High priority vaccines are an absolute must and a minimal requirement for any dog older than 16 weeks, and revaccination for rabies as per local law. This is the minimalist approach that would enable a dog living in a rabies-free area to need only one injection in its lifetime.
Such an approach isn’t always beneficial. The parvovirus vaccine covers 90% of canines, but if you live in an area where there is a risk that an unprotected dog might infect your puppies, then the benefits far outweighs the risks. And puppies are most likely to contract diseases between the ages of 6-12 weeks when maternal antibodies begin to wane. Also, certain breeds like Rottweilers and Dobermans do not immunize easily. Besides, poor handling may call for extra “precautionary” vaccines. Of course, in absence of annual vaccination, there is always the concern that pet owners might skip a visit to the vet’s office altogether, so that other fatal diseases may not be detected.