The importance of vaccines for your dog

Dog vaccinations  

Dog vaccines are divided into two categories here in Australia: core and non-core.  

Core vaccines

Core vaccines are crucial for all dogs in Australia to protect them from serious, life threatening diseases.   

• Canine distemper virus
• Canine adenovirus
• Canine parvovirus

• These vaccines are commonly grouped together in one injection called a C3 vaccine.  

Non-core vaccines  

Non-core vaccines are those that don’t need to be administered to every dog. This could be because the disease is relatively mild and the dog has little chance of exposure to the disease.  

• Parainfluenza virus
• Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)
• Leptospira interrogans  

In some cases, non-core vaccines could also prevent your dog from falling ill, particularly if they socialise or are in regular contact with other dogs. Ask your vet whether the none-core vaccines would be appropriate for your dog.  

Puppies

Puppies get some immunity from their mother when they are born, but this is only temporary. It declines steadily over the first few weeks of life and is largely gone by twelve weeks, which is why your puppy will receive 3 vaccinations from 6-16 weeks of age.

Core vaccines should be administered to every puppy and should be used in adult dogs in a way that provides robust protection for life. 

Having your dog vaccinated can help prevent them from a range of diseases and help to keep them healthy. Always speak to your vet, who will be able to advise which vaccines are suitable for your dog and when they should have them.  

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