Adult Canine Vaccinations

The majority of vaccines currently in use for dogs are modified-live or inactivated (killed) bacteria or virus vaccines.  However, research is continuing to develop new types of vaccines and more effective disease prevention strategies.


 

 

At one year of age, dogs need to have boosters of all core vaccinations.  Non-core vaccinations are given based on an individual dog's risk.  After this, the vacccines will be staggered to best fit the proven duration of immunity of the vaccine, the health status and risk category of the dog, and the potential for side effects.  At your dog's bi-annual exams, we will re-evaluate your pet's needs and health.  Some years we will be able to focus more on medical issues such as appropriate weight, behavior in the home, dental health and fecal examinations without needing every vaccination.  As your dog ages, his or her needs will change along with the focus of our visits.  After seven years of age, we will begin to perform annual senior health panels, switch to senior foods, become aggressive in our fight against dental disease (which insidiously destroys the health of all body systems), and monitor carefully for the development of common age-related diseases.  Call us for an appointment to have your dog examined and together we will develop a long-term plan to make his or her life as happy and healthy as it can be!