
Vaccines for your dog:
In keeping with the recommendations of AAHA’s most recent Canine Vaccination Guidelines, we have made some changes to offer your pets the best protection and comfort. As usual, a veterinarian will assess your pet’s vaccination needs based on lifestyle and exposure during wellness examinations. We use new technology that results in a vaccine with less volume and fewer impurities to inject. This means a safer and more comfortable vaccine for your dog.
Distemper-Parvo vaccine- An added benefit is that new studies indicate the duration of the Distemper-Adenovirus-Parvovirus (DAP) vaccine, considered the core canine vaccine, is three years. If your dog has received an annual Distemper vaccine in the past, the next DAP will be good for three years (some exclusions may apply)
Bordetella (Kennel cough) vaccine – The new Bordetella vaccine goes orally instead of intra-nasally. No more up the nose with the kennel cough vaccine. The oral formulation has been proven to be even more effective than the intra-nasal vaccine but better tolerated by most dogs.
Canine Influenza vaccine- Because we have not seen outbreaks of this disease as predicted when the vaccine was formulated several years ago, we are no longer recommending this to all dogs that get the Bordetella vaccine. In cases where dogs go to national shows or travel widely, it may still be a necessary vaccination.
Lyme Disease vaccine- Health officials are forecasting more cases of Lyme Disease in our area in both humans and dogs. In addition to tick control, we will be recommending this vaccine to at-risk dogs.
Leptospirosis vaccine- Again, because we are seeing more cases of this zoonotic (transmissible to humans) disease in our area, there are more dogs that SHOULD be getting this vaccine than currently are not. Traditionally, the Leptospirosis bacterin was the main suspect in causing vaccine reactions. With our Ultra vaccine technology, leptospirosis pet vaccinations in Cincinnati are safer than they ever have been. We will take precautions, however, with breeds that are prone to vaccine reactions. The leptospirosis vaccine only has a one-year duration of effect, so it will remain an annual vaccine.
Rabies vaccine- The initial puppy or kitten vaccine has a one-year duration, with subsequent vaccines given every three years. Rabies is also a disease that is getting closer and closer to Cincinnati. Please do not let your pet’s rabies vaccine expire!