Canine vaccinations are a crucial way to protect your dog against disease and illness, beginning with the “puppy series” during their first few months of life. However, keeping your dog safe and healthy remains a top priority well into their adult years. Many veterinarians encourage annual booster shots to maintain immunity, but are yearly dog vaccinations really necessary?
It is a legitimate question to explore since an unnecessary vaccination could lead to vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAE) instead of effectively protecting your dog from diseases. Below, we discuss whether annual booster shots are necessary for your dog and what the process entails.
Required Canine Vaccines
Vaccinations for puppies and adult dogs in the United States are not legally required, except for the rabies vaccine. The required dosage for the rabies shot includes the initial vaccine given to puppies, with a follow-up booster one year later. Most states in America require further booster shots for dogs every three years.
Core Vaccinations: The “Puppy Series”
All puppies should receive a series of vaccinations called the Core Vaccines. These shots protect the young dog from a variety of canine illnesses, including:
- Canine adenovirus 2 (CAV)
- Canine distemper (CDV)
- Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2)
Veterinarians administer these three vaccines when a puppy is between 8 and 16 weeks of age. In most cases, the puppy receives these shots before coming home. The rabies shot is not part of the core vaccinations because it follows a different schedule than the other vaccines and is not administered until your puppy is at least 12 weeks old.
Are Booster Shots Necessary for Dogs?
While the primary vaccination schedule represents essential protection for puppies, it is healthy to explore whether other vaccines are helpful for your dog. Are booster shots necessary for dogs? Not all canine vaccines require yearly boosters, especially where the level of protection is comprehensive enough to last for years (or for life).
Dogs typically benefit from frequent booster shots, and missing necessary vaccines puts the animal at high risk for dangerous, even deadly, illnesses.
However, if you have concerns about vaccinating too frequently or believe your dog would be fine without a booster shot, it is best to speak to a professional. Consider asking your veterinarian to check your dog’s antibodies to a particular illness. The antibody titer works by drawing blood. The results show whether the dog carries enough immunity to the specific disease to warrant missing a booster.
Antibody Titers for dogs
When your veterinarian determines whether your dog needs a canine vaccine booster, they will draw bloodwork and run the antibody titer. The test measures the concentration of antibodies by repeatedly diluting the blood sample while exposing it to a specific virus. It measures the reaction of the antibodies in the blood for overall strength.
An antibody titer reveals whether or not your dog would benefit from additional antibodies from a booster shot. The cost of an antibody titer can be as much (or more than) the booster shot itself. However, if you are concerned about over-vaccination, it is worth discussing with your veterinarian.
What Happens If Your Dog Is Not Vaccinated?
If you decide against booster shots for your dog, there are other considerations. For instance, what happens if your dog is unvaccinated and exposed to a canine virus? If your dog is in good health, eating a well-balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercises, their immunity may be sufficient to fight off some less virulent diseases.
Of course, this does not include rabies. The rabies booster is still essential to protect your dog and your family from this disease. Follow the prescribed timelines of your state’s rabies vaccination program, even if you decide to forego other booster shots for your dog.
Should My Older Dog Get Booster Shots?
At what age do you stop vaccinating your dog? Senior dogs do not generally stop requiring vaccinations, but it will depend on your dog’s lifestyle and overall health. Once a dog reaches seven years of age, its senior status requires some special considerations to keep them healthy and happy.
Senior dogs may need:
- special food or supplements
- medications to treat aging joints and other conditions
As the effects of aging take their toll on your dog’s body, the immune system also suffers. Older dogs receive most vaccinations every three years, like younger dogs. You and your veterinarian will need to discuss a suitable schedule based on your dog’s health.
It is important to note that some senior dogs may require more frequent boosters, such as the vaccinations for Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. Your veterinarian may recommend these as often as every six months, depending on your senior pet’s general health and lifestyle.
Does My Dog Need Booster Shots?
Your Penny Paws veterinarian can provide advice and recommendations based on their experience and knowledge of your dog. However, the owner makes the final decision about what booster shots to give to the dog.
Before You Go to the Veterinarian
- Research the vaccinations your dog may need, including the advantages or risks of each. Being prepared ensures a more productive conversation with the dog’s veterinarian.
- Take your dog’s complete medical history with you, even if the veterinarian has it on record. Include medications or supplements and anything about their health or behavior that has changed since the last visit.
Not all dogs need yearly booster shots for their vaccinations, but there are situations where boosters could protect their health. It may even save their life, so it is a vital consideration. Be sure to learn about canine vaccines in detail while remaining mindful of your dog’s condition when deciding if and when to get booster shots.
Call Penny Paws for More Information About Booster Shots
At Penny Paws, our policy provides affordable, high-quality veterinary care for all types of pets. Whether in an emergency or at your dog’s next check-up, we offer first-class attention that sets both of you at ease.
If you have any further questions about vaccinations for your pet, contact the Penny Paws location nearest you.