Vaccines

AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines

These Guidelines empower veterinarians to make the best possible personalized recommendations for their patients by determining which vaccines are essential for each individual dog.

• All dogs should have the following core vaccines (unless there’s a medical reason not to vaccinate):
  • Distemper
  • Adenovirus
  • Parvovirus
  • +/- Parainfluenza
  • Rabies
• In addition to these, other vaccines are just as essential for some dogs based on their lifestyle and risk. These include:
  • Leptospira (should be considered for all dogs based on increasing prevalence)
  • Lyme disease
  • Bordetella
  • Canine influenza
  • Rattlesnake toxoid
• For every patient, ask: What should be added to the core vaccines for this dog? Core for an individual patient means they get the vaccines required for ALL dogs PLUS vaccines required based on the dog’s lifestyle and risk factors.
• When vaccines are overdue or unknown, consider that the benefits of vaccinating outweigh the risks in most cases. A good rule of thumb is: When in doubt, vaccinate.
• Train your team to talk to clients about vaccines and why they are a vital part of their dog’s health plan.