Vaccinations are an important part of protecting your dog from serious, potentially life-threatening infectious diseases. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs because they protect against diseases that are widespread, highly contagious, or have significant health consequences.

Puppies typically begin their core vaccination series at 8 weeks of age, with boosters given at 12 and 16 weeks of age. This schedule helps ensure puppies develop strong immunity as the protection they receive from their mother naturally decreases. After the initial puppy series, booster vaccinations are given according to current veterinary guidelines to maintain protection throughout your dog’s life.

Vaccinations are performed through a simple injection under the skin. Before every vaccination, your veterinary team will perform a health assessment to ensure your pet is healthy enough to receive their vaccine and to discuss the best vaccination plan based on their individual needs and lifestyle.

Core Canine Vaccinations

• Canine Distemper Virus: A serious and often fatal viral disease that can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It can cause coughing, diarrhea, seizures, and permanent neurological damage.

• Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis): A viral infection that can cause severe liver disease, fever, abdominal pain, and in some cases can be fatal.

• Parainfluenza Virus: A contagious respiratory virus that contributes to canine infectious respiratory disease. It spreads easily between dogs in social settings.

• Parvovirus: A highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that is spread in the feces of infected animals and can remain in the environment for months after exposure. It causes severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and can be fatal without intensive treatment.

• Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection spread through the urine of infected wildlife and rodents, and can be found in both rural and urban areas. It can cause kidney and liver failure and is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from pets to people.

• Rabies: A fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be transmitted to people through bites. Rabies vaccination is required by law in Ontario and is one of the most important protections for both pets and public health.

Non-Core Vaccinations

Non-core vaccines are not required for every dog but are recommended based on a pet’s lifestyle, environment, travel, and level of exposure risk. These vaccines provide additional protection against diseases that some dogs may be more likely to encounter.

• Lyme Disease Vaccine: Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected ticks. While dogs that explore wooded areas, tall grass, and hiking trails are at higher risk, ticks are no longer limited to these environments. With increasing deer tick populations in Norfolk County, exposure can occur anywhere — including neighbourhoods, parks, and your own backyard. Vaccination, along with regular tick prevention, helps reduce the risk of Lyme disease and its associated health problems, including joint inflammation, fever, and kidney disease.

• Bordetella (Kennel Cough) Vaccine: Kennel cough is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria, including Bordetella bronchiseptica. Dogs that visit boarding facilities, daycare, grooming salons, training classes, dog parks, or frequently interact with other dogs are at higher risk. Vaccination helps reduce the severity and spread of respiratory illness.

Keeping your dog’s vaccinations up to date is an essential part of preventive healthcare. A personalized vaccination plan ensures your pet receives the protection they need based on their age, health, and lifestyle.