VACCINATION FOR DOGS
By Chris Lewis B.Vet.Med MRCVS,
Foreword by John Davies: Breed health Coordinator
All vaccinations carry low risks. However, in all cases mentioned in this article the benefits outweigh these risks.
Vaccinations for dogs come in 3 categories:
- CORE VACCINES: These are Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirous, and Leptospira. You would be extremely unwise to overlook these.
- NON CORE VACCINES: Para-influenza and Bordetella Bronchisptica. It is highly recommended that these vaccines are used.
- OTHER UK AUTHORISED VACCINES: Herpes, Canine coroavirus, and Rabies. It is recommended that you speak with your veterinarian to establish which may be appropriate to your dog.
The following article is written by Chris Lewis B.VET.MED.MRCVS. It gives up to date detail on vaccine options in scientific terms.
Vaccination.
Vaccination affords protection against the 4 major disease fatal to dogs and against annoying Kennel cough.
There are 6 manufactures of vaccines available in the UK
Two groups exist. One advocating a three yearly boosterand the other annual
The commonest used vaccines contain fractions against Distemper, Canine parvo virus, Canine hepatitis(adenovirus), Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis (either 2 or 4 serotypes)
The data sheets for each manufacturer appears in the veterinary compendium from which these recommendations are taken
| Manufacturer | Product Name | Data Sheet Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Zoetis | Vanguard 7 | Primary 1st dose 6 weeks. 2 Doses 14 days apart Over 10 weeks Single dose + 2nd lepto 14 days later Annual full booster |
| Merial | Eurican | Primary 1st dose 8 weeks 2nd dose 3-5 weeks later 12 weeks and over single dose + 2nd lepto 2-4 weeks later Annual full booster |
| Virbac | Canixin | Primary 1st Dose from 8weeks 2nd Dose 3-4 week later Annual Full Booster |
| Virbac | Canigen | Primary 1st dose 6weeks 2Doses 10 weeks Over 10 weeks Single dose+2nd Pi Lepto14 days later Booster Full every 3 years Annual for PiLepto |
| Zoetis | VeriscanPlusL4 | Primary 1st dose 6weeks 2Doses 3-4 weeks Pi Lepto14 days later Annual full booster |
| MSD | Nobivac | Primary 1st dose 6 weeks2nd dose 10 weeks Over 10 weeks Single dose + 2nd Pi Lepto 2-4 weeks later Booster Full every 3 years Annual for PiLepto |
Virbac Canixin Primary 1st Dose from 8weeks 2nd Dose 3-4 week later Annual Full Booster Virbac Canigen Primary 1st dose 6weeks 2Doses 10 weeks Over 10 weeks Single dose+2nd Pi Lepto14 days later Booster Full every 3 years Annual for PiLepto Zoetis VersicanPlus L4 Primary 1st dose 6weeks 2Doses 3-4 weeks Pi Lepto14 days later Annual Full Booster MSD Nobivac Primary 1st dose 6 weeks2nd dose 10 weeks Over 10 weeks Single dose + 2nd Pi Lepto 2-4 weeks later Booster Full every 3 years Annual for PiLepto Notes Of the6 manufacturers 4 advise annual boosters,whilst 2 advertise a3 yearly full booster but as Pi and Lepto are poor antigen they need to be boosted annually. Problem with vets is if you want a 3 yearly booster and they stock one lf the others they will demand a extra fee for specially ordering it in. Companies with 2 vaccines have acquired one from affirm they have taken over and have decided to keep both available. Of the 6 listed my preference every time is for the MSD Nobivac. It has been around certainly since the mid 80s. It is constantly being updated and they have probably the most stable Distemper and parvo virus lines.They were the first to recognise the increasing prevalence of different strains of Lepto and introduce their L4 vaccine based importantly on the European risk not as Zoetis who based theirs on the American risk but promote it for Europe. Looking at the data sheets the information regarding the various strains of virus and its concentration and passage characteristics do not seem to differ markedly from those advocating annual and those advocating 3 yearly. We have used Nobvac as recommended ever since Vaxitas was withdrawn in 1984 , I have spoken to MSD and they have had few reports of adverse reaction ,those they have had all concern anaphalactic shock, none of which died due to prompt attention by the vet. In the late 90s they like everyone else received reports of auto immune problems at the same time as the MMR report was published and now discredited. From 2015 onwards they have received none. They are expecting them to start coming again as the anti vaccine chorus increases in volume