Optional Vaccinations for Dogs: Which Ones Provide Value?

In the case of preventive vaccinations, there are two types: core vaccinations that must be given and non-core vaccines. The first is mandatory and should be renewed regularly. The age and condition of your dog will determine whether or not he needs elective vaccinations.

Both for humans and dogs, some vaccinations are necessary. In the animal kingdom, however, there are also non-core vaccines. Veterinarians disagree about these elective vaccinations. Some doctors recommend non-core vaccines while others do not. It is best to decide on an individual level whether a non-core vaccination is right for your dog.

What are non-core vaccines?

The elective vaccinations are not mandatory for every dog. They are useful if the dog faces an increased risk of infection.

Non-core vaccinations include:

Lyme disease (also called “puppy Death “).*): The course of treatment is four to six month against Borrelia.afzelii, Borrelia.garinii, and one to one and a half years against Borrelia.burgdorferi.

Non-core vaccines: Protection against disease through non-core vaccines?

It is up to each dog owner whether or not they administer a non core vaccination. You should always weigh the benefits and risks of a non-core vaccination before deciding to give it to your dog. Your veterinarian can help you determine if the vaccination is more likely to help or harm your dog. If you spend a lot of time in woods and meadows, where ticks are common, it might make sense to give your dog a Lyme disease vaccine.

As a precaution, it’s also advisable to protect dogs in kennels from kennel-cough. A family dog that is kept in the home has a lower risk of contracting the pathogens.

What to consider when choosing a vaccination for your pet

Remember that vaccinations may have side effects. For example, elective vaccinations for Lyme disease can cause severe side effects, such as kidney inflammation. It is not recommended to vaccinate your pet against every possible disease as a precaution. It is sensible to provide additional vaccinations for dogs at risk of specific pathogens.

Consider that non-core vaccines do not always protect against infection, but can sometimes reduce the severity of the disease in dogs who have already been exposed. Most elective vaccinations have a short duration of action. They rarely last more than a year.

Non-core vaccinations: Veterinarian creates individualized vaccination schedule

Your veterinarian should discuss vaccinations with you annually. Your veterinarian will assess the risk of infection for your pet and develop a vaccination plan that is appropriate. The veterinarian will consider the risk that your dog poses and the environmental conditions when determining an appropriate interval between vaccinations. Non-core vaccinations are generally administered in the following manner: as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.