When your dog finally makes it through her first year of puppy shots, it’s a time to celebrate. She won’t have to go to the veterinarian every few months for booster shots anymore, and she can now live her life as a fully vaccinated and healthy adult dog.
However, even after the first year of shots is completed, there are plenty of other necessary vaccination requirements for dogs throughout the rest of their adult lives. In the article below, you’ll find basic information about how often to vaccinate your dog depending on the shots she has already received or will continue to receive in the future.
Rabies
The rabies vaccination is required by law throughout the United States and in many other countries as well. If you are a dog owner, you should plan to have your dog’s rabies booster shot given every year throughout her life. Most dogs receive a rabies shot yearly during a checkup with the vet.
Although the rabies vaccination is usually given annually, some versions are given every three years.
DHPP
DHPP stands for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. This shot is given to puppies several times as a booster but is also given to dogs annually. Every time your dog goes in for her regular annual wellness exam, she will most likely receive this vaccination.
Some dogs can be given the DHPP vaccination at the same time as the rabies vaccine. However, if your dog has an unpleasant reaction to either shot, the vet will likely stagger them, so your dog receives one of the two every six months instead.
Some versions of the DHPP vaccination can be given every three years instead of annually, like the rabies shot.
Lyme Disease
Depending on where you live, you may or may not be required to give your dog a vaccination for Lyme disease. Some parts of the United States as well as other countries have a severe problem with Lyme disease, while others do not have much of this disease presence at all. Your veterinarian can let you know if the Lyme disease vaccination is recommended for your dog.
If your dog does get this vaccination, she will need it every year. This shot can usually be given along with other necessary vaccinations in most dogs.
Leptospirosis
This is another shot that may or may not be required by law depending on where you live. However, even if it isn’t required, it’s still a good idea to have your dog vaccinated against leptospirosis if you can. Once again, you should speak to your veterinarian for more information about choosing whether to give your dog this vaccination.
Like most of the dog vaccinations on this list, you should plan to have your dog vaccinated against leptospirosis every year. This shot may also be staggered with the others, so your dog is not receiving several shots at the same visit.
Canine Influenza
If your dog has received the DHPP shot, she has already been vaccinated against parainfluenza. However, some dogs are instead given the DAP shot, which contains the same vaccinations as DHPP but without parainfluenza. If your dog received the DAP shot instead, she may need a canine influenza vaccination as well.
The canine influenza vaccination is not required by law. However, it is strongly encouraged by vets since canine influenza is extremely contagious and can be spread easily throughout a community of dogs. Additionally, if you plan to take your dog to any boarding facility, you will likely be required to have vaccinated for canine influenza before she can go. This is an annual shot.
Bordetella
Finally, Bordetella is the last of the crucial non-core vaccinations given to dogs. Once again, this shot is not required by law, but it’s still a very good idea to have your dog vaccinated for Bordetella.
Bordetella is the cause of kennel cough. It is very contagious between dogs and can be spread quickly through the air as well as through shared toys, bowls, or collars and leashes. If your dog will be boarded, she will be required by the kennel facility to have this shot.
Bordetella shots can be given every six months or annually.
Talk with Your Vet in Sonora, CA
As you can see, there are still some crucial vaccinations your dog needs to get at certain points throughout her adult life. However, these are not as frequent as they are in puppies, and some of them may be optional—although depending on where you live, they could be important, nevertheless.
Call 209-432-9437 or book an appointment online to talk with your vet at Live Oak Veterinary Hospital for more specific information about your dog’s individual needs. The vet will be able to tell you which shots your dog must have, which shots she probably should have, and when she needs to get all of these.