There are generally 2 categories of vaccinations in canine medicine: Core and Non-Core Vaccines. Core vaccines are those that are required by law for public health or are necessary because of the severity of the consequences to the animals and the ease of infection. In dogs Rabies and Distemper Vaccines cover these. Non-core vaccines are those that should be considered based on the health, life-style and potential for exposure of each individual animal.

For more information on feline vaccines.

For more information on vaccine safety, concerns and protocol.

Rabies- A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals including humans. The virus is transmitted from animal to animal and animal to man primarily through the bite of an infected animal. This vaccine is given once during the puppy series, again at one year of age then repeated once every 3 years in adult dogs. It is required that dogs be vaccinated every 3 years as an adult in the State of Maine.

Distemper (DA2PP)- Our canine distemper vaccine actually includes 4 different viruses in one injection. This vaccine is given as a series when they are a puppy, at one year of age, and then once every three years.

• Distemper- A widespread, and often fatal disease, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia, and potentially brain damage.
• Adenovirus (Types 1 and 2)- The cause of infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection.
• Parainfluenza- Part of the kennel cough complex. It is often a mild respiratory infection but can be more severe in puppies or debilitated dogs. This is not a core vaccine but is included as part of a complex of vaccines.
• Parvovirus- A widespread and potentially fatal disease, which may cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. It is especially dangerous in young dogs and individuals susceptible to the effects of dehydration.

Leptospirosis- This vaccine is given as part of the distemper vaccine in puppies. After one year of age it is given on a yearly basis. This disease is a bacterial infection that can cause permanent kidney damage. It is very contagious and is spread through contact with urine, nasal secretions, or saliva. Leptospirosis or "Lepto" can also be spread to humans. There are various strains of Lepto throughout the country and we use a vaccine that covers 4 strains of the virus. Lepto is more prevalent in the northeast than other parts of the country.

Bordatella- A bacteria that infects the upper respiratory tract that causes an irritating "goose-honk" type cough. There are many strains of this disease and it is easily spread between dogs, most kennels in the area require this vaccine. We may recommend vaccinating for this if your dog spends time with other dogs on a consistent basis or gets groomed. This is a yearly vaccine.

Lyme- This disease is spread by a bacteria that is carried by ticks. The greater Bangor area has a relatively low prevalance of Lyme, and therefore we do not typically recommend this vaccine. If your dog travels to more endemic areas such as southern Maine and the rest of New England we may recommend this vaccine. This is a yearly vaccine.

We recommend doing a series of vaccinations for puppies to make sure they are fully vaccinated. Puppies acquire some temporary immunity through antibodies from their mother. As the animal ages this immunity begins to drop off. This is where vaccinations come in to create the lasting immunity necessary for protection. All animals are different so we do not know when mom's antibodies wear off. Also, mom's antibodies interfere with the ability of the vaccines to stimulate the immune system. It is not the number of vaccines that is important so much as the timing. We know some pets' acquired immunity begins to wear off as early as 6 weeks while some will last to 16 weeks. Because of this we must give a young dog multiple vaccines over its first 2-4 months of life to make sure it is adequately protected. Rabies vaccines are made of a killed virus so the mother's antibodies do not block their effectiveness so only one initial vaccine is required.

See the recommended canine series protocol.