The Importance of Vaccinating Dogs: Core and Non-Core Vaccines

1. Introduction

Vaccinating dogs is a key component of preventive health care for dogs. There are two types of vaccines for dogs: core vaccines and non-core vaccines. These vaccines should be administered once the puppies and adult dogs receive a thorough veterinary examination. The examination should also rule out any diseases or illnesses. This essay highlights the importance of vaccinating dogs in order to ensure their well-being in terms of disease prevention. The essay also discusses core and non-core vaccines and their importance for dogs.

Vaccines are part of preventive health care. Some vaccines should be given to every dog, whereas others are dependent on the dog and its environment, whether the dog lives indoors or out, or stays in boarding facilities, attends shows, or travels, or has a greater chance of exposure to other dogs. For the most important vaccines, use of the term "essentials" or "core" vaccines has been recommended to make it easy for the dog-owner to understand the benefits of vaccinating his or her dog. Vaccination of dogs results in protection against different infectious and zoonotic diseases, which have the potential to cause morbidity and mortality in both dogs and humans. Dogs need to be vaccinated against other infectious diseases too to protect them against contagious diseases, whose occurrence and spread are unpredictable and may lead to the appearance of outbreaks or the development of diseases that are untreatable. Preventing the spread of infectious diseases caused by vaccines has benefits, including reducing the perception of insecurity and supporting trust in preventing and controlling diseases. This is a three-way approach to dealing with dog-related public health.

2. Understanding Dog Vaccines

Getting regular vaccinations for dogs is as important as regular dog grooming. In the case of dog vaccines, there are usually two types: core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are still considered the main vaccines that all dogs must receive, without losing the scheduled booster in any situation. Non-core vaccines are optional vaccinations that you can have to reduce your dog's risk of exposure to disease, depending on the environment and lifestyle of the dog. You should carefully discuss the option of getting the vaccine with a veterinarian before proceeding.

Core vaccines are vaccines against viral diseases that are very infectious and can be life-threatening for dogs. All dogs should receive vaccinations against the following diseases: Rabies (Rabies Virus), Canine Distemper (CDV), Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CAV-1), Canine Parainfluenza virus (CPiV), Canine Parvovirus (CVV), and Leptospirosis. Puppies usually start getting vaccinated against rabies at 16 weeks old and then boost with a rabies vaccine a year later. Following the rabies vaccination, the veterinarian should continue to provide regular rabies booster at the interval stipulated by the state.

The practice of regular vaccinations for dogs, in addition to the need for regular dog grooming, is essential. A booster is required for this basic type of dog vaccination to ensure that the dog's immune response to the initial vaccine is still strong. Boosters generally need only periodic reinforcement unless a veterinarian prescribes them otherwise. All these vaccines are applied to dogs by injection. Always consult your veterinarian about the timing of vaccinations, including booster intervals.

2.1. Core Vaccines

Early vaccination of puppies should be established in all households where puppies are bred, whether they are purebred puppies or mixed-breed puppies. The first vaccine should be administered at 6 weeks of age. These vaccines are called core vaccines. These core vaccine groups aim to protect against severe illnesses that dogs should be protected from and common diseases that are highly contagious.

Symptoms of rabies in dogs:Changes in behavior: - The dog becomes unusually anxious or nervous.
- Sudden changes in mood, such as changing from gentleness to aggression.- Isolation and hiding in unusual places. Neurological symptoms- Hyperactivity or extreme excitement- Extreme sensitivity to sounds and light- Muscle spasms and difficulty swallowing.- Paralysis of the limbs, often starting in the hind limbs and progressing to the front.
Characteristic symptoms: - Excessive drooling (due to difficulty swallowing). - Difficulty breathing. - Hydrophobia (fear of water) due to convulsions when trying to drink.
Final stage: - Complete paralysis. - Coma - Death within days of the onset of neurological symptoms.
Rabies is fatal in most cases if not treated quickly. Preventive vaccination against rabies is the best way to protect your dog from infection. The appropriate time to vaccinate dogs against rabies varies depending on age and previous vaccinations. Here are the general recommendations:
First dose: - Usually given at 12 to 16 weeks of age (3 to 4 months).
- The first dose should be given after the dog is at least 12 weeks old, because the immune system of puppies is more able to respond effectively at this age.
Second dose (booster dose): - Given one year after the first dose, regardless of the dog's age at the first dose.
Subsequent doses: - Usually given every 1 to 3 years according to the recommendations of the veterinarian and local laws. The period between doses varies depending on the type of vaccine used and the manufacturer's recommendations.
Symptoms of Canine Distemper: Respiratory Symptoms: - Coughing (dry or moist)- Sneezing-Nasal discharge (clear or thick)- Eye discharge (often watery or pus-like) - Fever, which may come and go Gastrointestinal Symptoms: - Vomiting- Diarrhea - Loss of appetite - Weight loss Nervous System Symptoms (more advanced cases): - Muscle twitches (myoclonus) - Seizures (often starting as facial twitches or chewing movements)- Paralysis - Behavioral changes, such as confusion or disorientation Other Signs: - Hardening of the footpads and nose (hyperkeratosis, often called hard pad disease)- Lethargy and weakness - Sensitivity to light Age, Vaccination, and Susceptibility: - Age and Susceptibility: - Puppies (3 to 6 months old): Puppies are most susceptible to canine distemper, Especially if they haven't been fully vaccinated. Their immune systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to the virus.
- Unvaccinated dogs of any age: Dogs that have not been vaccinated or have an incomplete vaccination series are at high risk of contracting distemper.
- Older dogs: While older dogs are generally less susceptible, they can still contract the disease, particularly if they have a weakened immune system or if their vaccination status is not up to date.
- Vaccination: - Initial vaccination: Puppies typically receive their first distemper vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age, with additional booster shots every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old.
- Booster shots: After the initial series, a booster is typically given one year later, and then every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine type and the dog’s risk of exposure.
- Importance of full vaccination: Ensuring that a dog completes the full series of vaccinations is crucial for protection against distemper. Partial vaccination leaves puppies and dogs vulnerable to infection.
Prevention: - Vaccination: The most effective way to prevent canine distemper is through vaccination. Ensure your dog is up to date on all vaccinations.
- Avoiding exposure: Keep young puppies away from potentially infected animals and environments until they are fully vaccinated.
- Regular veterinary check-ups: Regular health checks can help ensure that your dog's vaccinations are current and that they are protected against diseases like distemper.
Canine distemper is a serious disease with no specific cure, so prevention through vaccination is essential. If you suspect your dog may have distemper, seek veterinary care immediately.

• Fever: One of the earliest signs.

• Lethargy: Dogs may appear tired and unwilling to move.

• Loss of Appetite: Dogs may refuse to eat.

• Vomiting and Diarrhea: Often occurs, sometimes with blood.

• Abdominal Pain: Dogs may show signs of discomfort or pain when their abdomen is touched.

• Jaundice: Yellowing of the eyes, gums, and skin due to liver damage.

• Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes may become enlarged.

• Coughing: Respiratory symptoms can occur.

• Neurological Signs: In severe cases, seizures, disorientation, or coma may occur.

• Initial Vaccination: Puppies should receive their first dose of the canine adenovirus vaccine (CAV-1 or CAV-2) at around 6-8 weeks of age.

• Booster Shots: A second dose is typically administered at 10-12 weeks, with a third dose at 14-16 weeks.

• Annual or Triennial Boosters: Depending on the vaccine type and vet’s recommendation, adult dogs may require booster shots every one to three years to maintain immunity.

Parvovirus is one of the most common and most deadly diseases that dogs should be vaccinated for, and 90-100% deaths are encountered in puppies infected with parvovirus. Parvovirus is usually transmitted through the stool of an infected dog and can last in the environment for months to years. Parvovirus is detected in areas with dense dog populations such as animal shelters, dog breeders, veterinary clinics, obedience schools, open play areas in parks, etc.

Parvovirus (canine parvovirus) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs, especially puppies. The virus primarily targets the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to severe illness or even death if not treated promptly.

Symptoms of Canine Parvovirus:- Severe vomiting- Diarrhea, often bloody and foul-smelling- Loss of appetite- Lethargy- Fever- Dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea- Abdominal pain and bloating Age and Susceptibility:- Puppies (6 weeks to 6 months old ) are the most susceptible to parvovirus, especially if they have not completed their vaccination series. - Unvaccinated dogs of any age are at high risk, but puppies are particularly vulnerable because their immune systems are not fully developed.

Impact of Previous Vaccinations:- Fully vaccinated dogs: Dogs that have received the complete series of parvovirus vaccinations are generally protected from the virus. However, no vaccine offers 100% protection, so it's still possible, though rare, for a vaccinated dog to contract parvovirus. - Partially vaccinated puppies: Puppies that are in the process of getting their vaccinations (usually given in a series of three or four shots) are still at risk until they have received their final booster at around 16 weeks of age. It's crucial to keep puppies away from areas where infected dogs might have been until they are fully vaccinated. - Unvaccinated dogs: Dogs that have never been vaccinated are at the highest risk of contracting parvovirus, especially if they are exposed to environments contaminated with the virus .

Prevention: - Ensure that your dog receives all recommended vaccinations according to the schedule provided by your veterinarian.

- Avoid exposing puppies to potentially contaminated areas (like dog parks) until they have completed their full vaccination series.

Parvovirus is a preventable disease with proper vaccination, but it can be deadly if not treated early. If you suspect your dog may have parvovirus, seek veterinary care immediately.

Rabies is a highly serious viral disease that affects the central nervous system of dogs and other animals, including humans. The virus is transmitted primarily through the saliva of an infected animal, often through a bite or scratch.

Canine distemper is another disease that dogs should be vaccinated against, with a fatality of 80-85%. Canine distemper can pose a risk of infection for all household dogs in rural areas, village dogs, dogs that may not have been vaccinated, or are not vaccinated, because many dogs run loose in these areas.

Canine distemper is a serious viral disease that affects dogs and other animals. It targets the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, and it can be fatal, especially in young and unvaccinated dogs.

Hepatitis epidemics, which lead to deaths of 20-30% of the infected dogs, usually occur in regions with high dog population density such as kennels, breeders, animal shelters, and veterinary clinics. All adult dogs that have completed their puppy vaccinations should be vaccinated with these core vaccines once a year.

Hepatitis epidemics: Canine hepatitis is a serious viral disease caused by the Canine Adenovirus Type 1 (CAV-1). This virus primarily affects the liver but can also impact the kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. It is a highly contagious disease, transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, their bodily fluids, or contaminated environments.

Symptoms of Canine Hepatitis:

2.2. Non-Core Vaccines

Alternatively, non-core vaccines are optional. These vaccinations are not considered essential for all accessions to be given on a regular basis. These may be recommended based on streamlining direction, age, lifestyle, genetic propensity, environmental conditions (such as geographical areas the dog originally came from and where they currently live or frequent), recreational attractions (such as boarding, visits to events, outdoor activities or other in rendezvous with other dogs), or specific environmental contingencies consult the individual dog located at and the department. Some examples of non-essential vaccines for dogs include Bordetella bronchiseptica/kennel cough and influenza virus if a dog uses grooming services or is attracted to performance or other dogs in performance situations.

These vaccinations are also recommended for separation and adoption, since dogs are at higher risk of developing both diseases when they are placed in non-core situations and when they live in temporary situations such as renting, boarding and the like. Consider using the lath to study and share the areas in which positive incidences have occurred, in your classified area with the private practitioner or by calling the national animal censure laboratory at night at the veterinary services. Vets who will want to prescribe a leptospirosis vaccination will also recommend reviewing our Customers' brochure for leptospirosis to help clients make adequate decisions about vaccination. Inform them of the possible benefit-to-risk ratio and benefits of vaccinating against different strains and serogroups.

3. Benefits of Vaccinating Dogs

Vaccinating dogs: Benefits and general recommendations

Vaccinating dogs is essential to protect their health and that of their human owners. Vaccines save dogs' lives, reducing the severity of infections, shortening their duration, and helping prevent up to 33 diseases (out of the 51 that affect dogs the most). Given the health situation in many unknown dogs, most of the main regulatory bodies and organizations, as well as the World Health Organization, recommend vaccinating them. These organizations recommend vaccinating dogs against rabies and parvovirus as basic vaccines (or "core" vaccines).

Core vaccines provide dogs with protection against deadly diseases. It is important to know that not all dogs have the same level of protection against all diseases after vaccination, and that some dogs can still be infected despite being vaccinated. However, the infections contracted are usually much less serious than if they had not been vaccinated. It is possible to consult the websites of the governing bodies to find out about the recommended vaccines, depending on the breed, environment, and individual dog characteristics.

Erroneous vaccination practices can lead to an increase in the general population of unvaccinated dogs and, with it, the probability of disease outbreaks. This has implications, for example, for measles or whooping cough in children in Europe. Therefore, it is advised to discourage the use of "non-core vaccines".

3.1. Protecting Individual Dogs

Different aspects of reasons for vaccinating dogs have been suggested. Reflecting a "top down" approach, this paper presents a comprehensive and theoretical view where each aspect is addressed in some detail. Vaccination can protect both individual dogs and dog populations and therefore benefits the greater society. In this paper, our focus is on the two individual-based concepts, namely that vaccination attempts to protect individual dogs against infectious disease and secondly, that vaccination reduces or negates the ill effects of infections contracted by individual dogs.

3.1. Protecting Individual Dogs

Illness often occurs in individuals that, for various reasons, have failed to be effectively immunized. Categorizing the particular reason in each individual case is most likely impossible because a range of factors acts together in a multifactorial causation. However, this should not preclude taking broad measures and making generalizations.

It is common knowledge that vaccination is one means of providing some protection against contracting an infectious disease. Protection may be no more than a delay in developing a clinically expressed infection or it may allow a milder form of the disease to develop. The clinicopathological signs are usually less severe in previously immunized individuals than in those not immunized. Although the effectiveness of a vaccine may wane over time and revaccination is generally needed at a later date, vaccinated individuals remain relatively healthy and suffer less severe disease and, importantly, have greater longevity.

Since good health is often associated with a higher quality of life, the long-term well-being of an individual will most likely be improved by vaccination. The use of vaccines in veterinary surgery has an added bonus. Many epidemiological studies show that vaccination, in the longer term, lowers the costs of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of afflicted individuals in a particular community.

Additionally, some individuals may suffer multiple infections, so if each vaccine can specifically protect against a distinct infectious agent, the overall risk of illness will be further reduced. Such immune modulation at the individual level also affects the infecting pathogens. In some cases, it can reduce the likelihood of introducing infection into the animal host, reduce the duration of shedding in body fluids and in others, it can reduce the intensity of shedding, the severity of the infection, and the morbidity rate of those that have become infected. This will ultimately reduce the infective load in the general environment, making it safer not only for other dogs but also protect humans, especially small children and immunosuppressed individuals living in the household.

In some instances, vaccination-induced immune responses can also provide signals to other animal hosts in their immediate vicinity, which may serve as early warnings about the presence of a specific infection. In turn, non-vaccinated individuals can be given an opportunity to better protect themselves, either by isolation, immune modulation of their own immune systems, or treatment with drugs such as antiparasitic agents, antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals.

3.2. Preventing Disease Spread in Communities

While the reduction and elimination of clinical signs in individual animals are major incentives for vaccination, the prevention of disease is critical for populations in general. The concept of 'herd immunity' in human medicine and 'population immunity' in veterinary medicine focuses on the principles of population medicine. If a sufficient number of pet owners in any community refrain from vaccinating their pets, a significant proportion of the animals in the community would be susceptible to diseases that could otherwise be prevented or controlled by vaccination. The 'disease' in this instance would include the increasing of the number of pets affected, whether those pets belong to vaccinating or non-vaccinating pet owners. Vaccination of dogs is therefore as much about preventing the spread of disease in a population as it is about protecting the health of any individual.

The concept of 'protective immunity' is vital for all species and refers to the development of a level of immunity that will interfere with the ability of the infection to last, if it 'takes' at all. So when we assume that 50-70% of the population is protected, we believe that there are too few 'susceptibles' for the rate of 'spread' to be high enough for widespread infection. Although outbreaks or sporadic cases may still occur, they will not spread far. Protective immunity is important for those who are not protected because over time other factors may become involved. As more people are vaccinated, those who are left unvaccinated are at more risk. If GP numbers drop, these people will be more at risk. Other factors needed to achieve control are increased awareness of the disease and steps to prevent it that make people more likely to get vaccinated. In general, about 20% of pets do not respond well to a vaccine. These pets are unlikely to be protected from serious infection even after receiving all their vaccinations. For these people and their pets, herd immunity is especially important.

4. Vaccine Schedule for Dogs

Both core and non-core vaccine schedules for puppies usually begin at six to eight weeks of age. These vaccinations are boostered at two-to-three week intervals until the puppy is 16 weeks of age. Both puppies and adult dogs should receive annual revaccinations to boost immunity to the core vaccines and to update immunizations against endemic diseases in the area.

DAPPV (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza) is the vaccination series for puppies. Although manufacturer product labels dictate pet vaccination protocols, the distemper virus immunization is the major consideration. It takes about a month for DAPPV immunization, so beginning at six to eight weeks of age with two subsequent boosters at two-to-three-week intervals is the rule. For most puppies in the United States, the end dose would be at 14 to 16 weeks of age with a subsequent booster at one year of age. Over time, the immunity to the core vaccines (primarily distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus) fades. To maintain a dog's immunity, regular booster shots are recommended. Annually, the veterinarian should administer injectable vaccines to maintain immunity. In optional years, the veterinarian might advise for a revaccination titer blood test to see if the immunity is still strong, or if there is waning immunity, an injectable booster shot may be needed. Some vaccines also are available in an oral form (injectable plus booster). The injectable form stimulates the best and current immunity.

5. Conclusion

In this essay, we have focused on the importance of vaccinating dogs against serious infectious diseases, as well as diseases causing significant economic losses in at least several endemic areas in the world. Vaccination should include core vaccines, since these pathogens are widespread. These core vaccines should also be recommended as live attenuated vaccines.

In addition to vaccines designed to prevent these three diseases, at least in at-risk dogs, it is advisable to use non-core vaccines, particularly vaccines against parvovirus-2b and adenovirus-1. We personally suggest using attenuated live vaccines containing more viral strains/subtypes instead of killed vaccines containing only or mainly a single strain.

This procedure, as observed in other veterinary areas (e.g., avian vaccines, swine vaccines, respiratory disease vaccines in bovines), allows the dog's immune system to be challenged by a higher number of types of pathogens and, therefore, to produce heterologous immunity that may limit the replication of a different strain/subtype of the same pathogen.

Finally, veterinarians, dog breeders, kennel workers, and pet owners should be explicitly recommended to vaccinate dogs. This will help to safeguard canine health, improve the welfare of dogs, reduce animal shelter overcrowding, and increase the economic sustainability of dog breeding (due to reduced energy consumption, reduced costs for treating sick dogs, and reduced dog mortality).