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Vaccinations for dogs

Help protect your dog’s health by staying current with their vaccinations.

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Key takeaways

Good dog health starts by making sure your canine companions are up to date with their vaccinations! Vaccinations for your pet fall into two categories: core vaccinations and non-core vaccinations that your veterinarian recommends based on your pet’s individual needs.

Quick reference guide: Core and non-core vaccines

Core vaccines for dogs

Rabies
Canine distemper
Canine adenovirus (infectious hepatitis)
Parvovirus
Leptospirosis

Non-core vaccines

Canine cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus type 2)
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)

Core vaccinations for dogs

Core vaccines help to protect dogs against diseases that can cause serious illness and are widely distributed. Puppies typically receive their first set of vaccines at the age of 6 to 8 weeks, and several boosters at defined intervals during their first year. For adult dogs, vaccines are often administered at their annual veterinary check-up, although boosters may be required at other times. Your veterinarian can advise you about the recommended schedule.

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral disease transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. It affects an animal’s central nervous system causing changes in behavior, loss of appetite, nervousness, irritability, uncharacteristic calmness or aggressiveness, drooling and paralysis. Eventually, the disease will lead to death of the affected animal. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and vaccination of pets is an important way to keep pets and people safe.

DAP

DAP is a vaccine that protects against: 

D: Canine distemper. An incurable viral disease that can cause respiratory signs, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, paralysis, and death
A: Canine adenovirus. A virus that causes hepatitis (liver disease) in dogs, leading to vomiting, jaundice, pain, and potentially death
P: Parvovirus. A highly infectious virus that can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, and severe, often bloody diarrhea. It often leads to extreme dehydration and death, particularly in puppies.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that causes serious illness in dogs, other animals, and people in Canada and around the world. The disease is caused by spiral-shaped bacteria called leptospires that live in water or warm, wet soil. Leptospirosis can cause a variety of flu-like symptoms, but it can develop into a more severe, life-threatening illness that affects the kidneys, liver, lungs, and eyes.

Dogs most commonly become infected with leptospirosis by coming into contact with the urine of infected animals—usually in water or on wet ground. Dogs may become infected by swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or by playing in areas where infected urine is present. The bacteria enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth, or through a break in the skin such as a cut or scratch. Once infected, leptospires can multiply and spread to other parts of the body. If the infection reaches the kidneys, a dog may become a carrier and spread the bacteria through its urine.

Non-core vaccines for dogs

Canine cough

Canine cough, often referred to as kennel cough, is a highly contagious infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract and sometimes the lower respiratory tract of the dog. Known by veterinarians as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), it can be caused by a variety of different infectious organisms. The primary causes of canine cough are bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica and viruses such as canine parainfluenza and canine adenovirus type 2. Several other disease-causing organisms, such as canine influenza virus (CIV), can also play a role. These different pathogens may act alone or together, but they can result in similar respiratory signs, such as coughing, sneezing, retching, and nasal discharge. In some cases, the infection can progress and affect the lower respiratory tract, potentially leading to pneumonia and other more serious symptoms. Talk to your veterinarian to learn more about canine cough and prevention options.

Any dog, regardless of breed or age, can be at risk for canine cough. However, certain environments and activities can further raise your dog’s risk of infection. In assessing this risk, your veterinarian may ask whether your dog:

Is boarded at a kennel or attends doggie daycare
Attends puppy class, group training, or “dog kindergarten”
Visits dog parks or regularly interacts with other dogs
Attends dog sporting events or dog shows
Visits a groomer, pet store, or veterinary hospital
Recently arrived from a shelter, rescue, breeding kennel, or pet store
Interacts with other dogs when on walks in your neighbourhood

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that can be transmitted to humans, dogs, and other animals by certain species of ticks, primarily the blacklegged tick and the western blacklegged tick. It is caused by the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted from a tick to a dog when the tick feeds. Because ticks are tiny and difficult to spot—both in the environment and on your dog—it can be very difficult to prevent exposure. While some dogs may not show any outward signs of illness, lameness is the most common symptom of Lyme disease and is caused by a condition called Lyme arthritis. In addition to painful joints, dogs may also experience fever, loss of appetite, and loss of energy. Symptoms—when they do appear—may come and go, vary in severity, and may be mistaken for those of other conditions. Since symptoms are not always visible, employing preventative measures is the best way to protect your dog.

The risk of Lyme disease depends on whether blacklegged ticks or western blacklegged ticks are present in your area, or in areas where you plan to travel. Talk to your veterinarian about the risks in your region. In assessing this risk, your veterinarian may ask whether your dog:

Lives in an area where blacklegged ticks or western blacklegged ticks are present
Travels or will be travelling to areas where these ticks are established
Spends time outdoors on walks, hikes, hunting or camping trips
Spends time in wooded areas, tall grasses, or even your backyard

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References

Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. “Pets and Vaccinations: What You Need to Know.” OVMA, 30 Oct. 2023, https://www.ovma.org/news/pets-and-vaccinations-what-you-need-to-know-757da48888a6d83fc695b9ce87d5aa35.
Toronto Humane Society. Canine Vaccine Information: Benefit & Risks. Apr. 2022, https://www.torontohumanesociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Canine-Vaccine-Information.pdf.
Brooks, Wendy, DVM, DABVP. “Kennel Cough in Dogs.” Veterinary Partner, VIN, https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951478.
Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme). “Risk Areas.” CanLyme, https://canlyme.com/risk-areas/.
Veterinary Partner (VIN). “Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs.” https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952009.

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