Why Should You Vaccinate Your Dog?

Our veterinarians always recommend vaccinating your dog, especially during the early years. Here’s why:

Offers Long-Term Protection

Dog vaccines operate long-term, helping prevent severe diseases that often have no specific cure. They are very useful for puppies, senior dogs, and those with compromised immune systems. The first dose will start the foundation, with booster vaccines strengthening the defense. 

Reduces the Spread of Disease

Places such as unhygienic dog parks, grooming salons, and boarding facilities are hot spots for the spread of disease. While dog vaccinations offer protection, they also reduce the spread of disease, helping other dogs and even humans avoid illness. 

Provides Cost-Effective Care

Preventive treatments are often recommended by our veterinarians at the clinic because they help avoid emergency costs and costly procedures. Basically, you’re protecting your dog and saving your resources. 

Complies With Regulations

In many countries, including the UAE, vaccinations for dogs are required for responsible pet ownership and international travel. These are required to obtain a vet health certificate and a pet passport. There will be fines and consequences for owners of unvaccinated dogs. 

Allows Access to Services

Vaccinated dogs may enjoy essential services such as grooming, daycare, boarding, and more. They are even required for simple activities such as walking in certain communities. 

What Vaccines Do Dogs Need?

Dogs require core vaccinations for protection and compliance. If needed, our veterinarians at the clinic may recommend lifestyle or non-core variations.

Core Vaccinations

• Rabies Vaccine: This protects against the rabies virus and is required for all dogs, especially for travel and legal compliance. 

• DHPPi/L: A combination vaccine that offers protection against several viruses, including CDV, CAV-1 and -2, CPV, CPIV, and leptospirosis. 

Non-Core Vaccinations

• Bordetella: This preventive vaccine protects against Bordetella bronchiseptica, the primary cause of kennel cough. 

• Canine Influenza: Recommended for dogs at risk of infectious dog flu strains (H3N8 and H3N2).

• Lyme Disease: Advised for dogs at risk of Borrelia burgdorferi, bacteria transmitted by deer ticks.

What Do Dog Vaccinations Protect Against?

Now that we know which ones dogs need, let’s discuss what they actually protect against. 

Rabies

A fatal viral disease that affects the dog’s brain and nervous system, causing neurological issues, seizures, and paralysis. This usually spreads when saliva enters bite wounds. Once the clinical symptoms appear, the disease is virtually fatal in almost all cases. 

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets from infected dogs or animals. In advanced stages, neurological damage is expected. 

Canine Adenovirus 1 and 2

CAV-1 causes severe canine hepatitis, which targets the liver, kidneys, and eyes. On the other hand, CAV-2 causes respiratory disease, most notably kennel cough. A key difference is that CAV-1 is systemic, while CAV-2 is localized. 

Canine Parvovirus

CPV is a severe and contagious disease that destroys the intestinal lining of dogs, causing intense vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and dehydration. The virus is extremely resilient and can spread through direct contact or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces, feces, and soil. 

Canine Parainfluenza

A contagious respiratory disease that causes coughing, nasal discharge, and fever. Canine parainfluenza causes inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and can easily spread to other dogs in close proximity through respiratory secretions. 

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a fatal disease caused by Leptospira bacteria. This disease may damage the kidneys and liver and is often contracted through contaminated soil, water, and urine. Leptospirosis is also zoonotic, meaning it can be passed from dogs to humans. 

Bordetella bronchiseptica

A highly contagious bacterium that’s considered the primary cause of kennel cough in dogs. Kennel cough is generally common in places where dogs are close together, such as unclean boarding facilities and daycares. Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough, nasal discharge, and gagging. 

Canine  Influenza

Also known as dog flu, canine influenza is a respiratory infection that results in fever, tiredness, and a reduced appetite. It’s caused by specific Type A influenza viruses (mainly H3N8 and H3N2). 

Borrelia burgdorferi

The bacteria transmitted by deer ticks that cause Lyme disease, a condition characterized by lameness, joint pain, and lethargy. Lyme disease can also progress to more serious symptoms, such as joint pain, kidney failure, and other long-term health issues.