Canine Vaccination Information

At Best Friends Animal Hospital we strive to provide our patients with the most up to date medical advice.  In developing our vaccination policy we have consulted the most current research and expert recommendations.  Some of our recommendations may differ from advice you have received in the past.  If you would like more detailed information our doctors would be happy to provide literature and information. 

Vaccinations are an important medical procedure that should be tailored to the individual patient.  Not all dogs should receive the same vaccines because not all dogs are exposed to the same risk factors.  Research also shows that some vaccines last far longer than one year and therefore annual vaccination is unnecessary.  Using vaccines less frequently, when it is appropriate, lowers the risks of side effects yet does not lessen the protection. 

The chart below details many of the diseases that veterinary medicine currently has vaccines against.  

Some of the vaccines are described as "core" vaccines which means they are recommended for all dogs.  These diseases have a high likelihood of causing severe illness or death and are so widespread they pose a serious risk to all dogs.  "Non-core" vaccines are only recommended for dogs whose lifestyle places them at risk for being exposed to these diseases.  Below we included some of the risk factors that would make vaccinations appropriate, but further discussion about your pet is important before a final decision to vaccinate would be recommended.  Finally, we also included vaccines that experts do not recommend and why they aren’t recommended. 

This handout is not intended to be a complete summary of all the information regarding your dog and vaccinations.  We provide our clients with this information to help them be more familiar with the individual diseases and some of the basics considerations regarding their vaccinations.  Our staff will discuss your dog’s lifestyle in greater detail and then make specific recommendations regarding which vaccinations could protect or even save your pets life and which ones are not recommended.  At Best Friends Animal Hospital we are determined to provide each patient with the best individualized care we can provide.