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How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost? (2023)

Dog vaccinations protect individual dogs from deadly diseases, as well as humans and other pets in the community. Vaccine costs can add up quickly, especially for young puppies, but these services are considered basic and essential to your pet's health. However, the best pet insurance companies will typically only cover vaccines through their wellness plans. We at the Guides Home team want pet parents to understand and budget for this necessary expense as part of the cost of owning a dog, so we've gathered everything pet owners should know about dog vaccinations. Dog Vaccinations Cost Dog vaccinations can range from $20 to $50 each, depending on the vaccine type and overall veterinary fees in your area. Vaccines are typically administered during your dog's annual wellness visit, so the total visit cost includes an exam fee and will depend on how many vaccines your dog receives. Here is a breakdown of the expenses by individual vaccination and state. Puppies receive antibodies from their mother's milk that temporarily protect them against infectious diseases, but that protection wanes after several weeks. Pet vaccinations start around 6 to 8 weeks of age, with doses given every two to four weeks until 16 weeks of age, which enables the puppy to make their own antibodies. Puppy vaccinations are customized to each pet depending on their current and expected lifestyle and needs. Core Vaccines Vaccines are broken down into core and non-core categories, based on disease severity and prevalence. Core vaccines are considered necessary for all pets because they protect against often-fatal diseases and help protect the community from outbreaks. Core vaccines for dogs include: Canine parvovirus vaccine: Canine parvo is highly contagious and attacks the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, leading to severe dehydration, systemic infection and shock. Most puppies will survive with treatment, but treatment requires intensive care, which can become costly. Distemper vaccine: Canine distemper virus attacks the nervous system and respiratory tract and is often fatal. Dogs who survive typically have permanent neurologic damage. Wildlife can carry and transmit the virus, serving as a reservoir of infection. Canine hepatitis vaccine: Canine infectious hepatitis, which is caused by an adenovirus, attacks liver cells and can cause secondary clotting problems or kidney disorders. Around 10% to 30% of infected young dogs will die, but vaccination provides good immunity. Rabies vaccine: Rabies virus is nearly 100% fatal, attacking the brain and nervous system within days of infection. The virus is prevalent in many wildlife species, such as raccoons and bats, and is transmitted through bite wounds. The rabies vaccine is extremely effective and is required by law to protect pets and humans from infection. What Is the 5-in-1 Vaccine? The 5-in-1 or 4-in-1 vaccine for dogs combines core vaccines into a single injection. Parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus and canine parainfluenza comprise the 4-in-1 vaccine; the 5-in-1 vaccine also includes protection against leptospirosis. This combination is often referred to as the DAPP, DHPP, DA2PP or DAPP+L vaccination, or the canine distemper combination vaccine. Most veterinary clinics use the combination vaccine rather than the individual components to minimize the number of injections required. Optional Dog Vaccines Optional dog vaccines are also known as lifestyle or non-core vaccines because they are administered only to dogs at high risk for contracting each disease. A dog's risk level is assessed during puppyhood and then reassessed during each annual wellness visit to determine whether their vaccine protocol is appropriate. Optional vaccines for dogs include: Bordetella vaccine: The Bordetella vaccine protects against the bacteria that commonly causes kennel cough and is recommended for dogs who spend time at dog parks, daycare, boarding kennels, dog sports or training classes. This vaccine does not completely prevent infection, but lessens infection severity and helps dogs recover faster. Canine influenza vaccine: Dogs at risk for Bordetella infection are also at risk for canine influenza, an airborne infection. The canine influenza vaccine does not completely prevent infection, but it can lessen disease severity, reducing the likelihood of complications, including pneumonia. Leptospirosis vaccine: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that dogs can pick up from water sources contaminated with infected urine. Leptospirosis causes severe liver and kidney damage and can be fatal for some dogs. Vaccination provides effective immunity. Lyme disease vaccine: Ticks transmit Lyme disease, which is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This vaccine is recommended for pets who spend time outdoors, and especially those who go hiking or camping with their owner. Puppy Vaccination Schedule Your puppy's vaccination schedule depends on when vaccinations begin and how many total vaccinations they need. Expect vet visits every few weeks until your puppy is at least 4 months old. Here is an overview of a typical puppy vaccination schedule. How Often Do Dogs Need to be Vaccinated? After the initial puppy vaccination series, adult dogs need vaccine boosters throughout their life. The first vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies to fight the targeted disease, while boosters help to reinforce this response. All vaccinations are boosted one year after the puppy series ends. After this, dogs receive some vaccines every three years and others yearly, depending on the manufacturer's labeling and veterinarians' recommendations. Adult Dog Vaccination Schedule This table shows a typical booster schedule for adult dog vaccinations. Are Dog Vaccinations Required? Rabies vaccination is required by law and is regulated by individual states and counties. Each county legislature sets rabies control laws and rules. In contrast, the animal control department typically enforces these laws and works with local veterinarians to protect pets in their communities. No other dog vaccinations are required; however, the DAPP combination, which includes four core vaccines, is highly recommended to protect your pet and others in your community. Summary of Dog Vaccination Costs Dog vaccinations typically cost between $20 and $50 each. Here are the average costs for each dog vaccine: Rabies vaccine: $23 to $27 DAPP vaccine: $33 to $38 Leptospirosis vaccine: $20 to $24 Lyme vaccine: $36 to $41 Bordetella vaccine: $28 to $33 Canine parainfluenza and influenza vaccines: $45 to $52 How To Lower the Cost of Vaccines for Dogs Pet parents can lower the costs for puppy vaccines by adopting a puppy from a shelter or rescue, who may include vaccinations in the initial adoption fee. You can lower adult dog vaccination costs using the following strategies: Visit low-cost vaccine clinics in your area Re-evaluate your dog's vaccine risk with your veterinarian each year Adopt an every-three-year vaccine protocol where appropriate Ask your veterinarian about vaccination packages with bundled costs Remember that low-cost vaccination clinics provide vaccinations only — a complete physical examination and other wellness services are still recommended annually for all pets. Pet Insurance for Dogs You can purchase a pet health insurance policy for your dog to cover expenses related to accidents or illnesses. You will pay a monthly premium to keep your policy active, and the insurance company will reimburse you for a percentage of the costs associated with your pet's care, minus any applicable deductible. While pet insurance plans help to ensure you're prepared for the unexpected, most policies do not cover wellness or preventive pet care services, including vaccinations. For an additional fee, you can add wellness coverage to some policies, which will then reimburse you up to a certain amount for vaccinations and other services, such as a microchip, heartworm test, heartworm prevention, deworming and spaying or neutering. Elizabeth Kowalski holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Illinois and an associate's degree in veterinary technology from Purdue University. After more than 10 years working as a certified veterinary technician, she chose to pursue veterinary writing, combining years of practical knowledge with a talent and passion for the written word. Elizabeth enjoys creating content for pet owners and veterinary professionals alike, and spends her free time playing sand volleyball and lounging at home with her pitbull, Piglet, and husband, Brenton. Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.

Mysterious Canine Parvovirus-like Illness Has Left Over 30 Dogs Dead In Michigan

Make sure that your dog is not having symptoms typically seen in canine parvovirus illness such as a ... [+] fever, hypothermia, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and severe, often bloody, diarrhea.(Photo: Getty)

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These may have been the "dog days of Summer," but many dogs in Michigan seem to be having it particularly "ruff" lately. A yet-to-be-identified pathogen, presumably a virus, has been spreading in the state and has reportedly left over 30 dogs dead already. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has announced that it's working with local animal control agencies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others to further investigate reports of a canine parvovirus-like illness that's been affecting dogs in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. That's the top of the hand part of the Michigan mitten.

Note that the MDARD said "canine parvovirus-like" and not simply "canine parvovirus." While the illnesses so far have seemed very canine parvovirus-y, the affected dogs' stool have tested negative for the standard canine parvovirus. Assuming that everything's cool with the stool tests, this suggests that the culprit may be either a new yet-to-be-discovered type of canine parvovirus or a completely different pathogen. While there is an effective vaccine against your standard canine parvovirus, both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs have gotten sick in this Michigan outbreak. Dianne Alward-Biery, writing for the Clare County Cleaver, quoted Clare County Animal Control Director Rudi Hicks as telling the Clare County Board of Commissioners on August 17, "As of today, from last Thursday [August 11] until now, we've had over 30 dogs die of a virus, a disease – not at the shelter – in the county. It mimics Parvo, so it's vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and they all died within three days: vaccinated dogs and unvaccinated dogs." Of note, August 11 was technically the end of the "dog days of Summer" based on the Farmer's Almanac. Hicks also said that infected dogs have died within three days of their first showing symptoms.

Such a disease course is sounding very Parvo-like. When dogs get ill from the canine parvovirus it's often no walk in the park. They can suffer from a fever, hypothermia, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting. And poop there is. The dogs can have severe, often bloody, diarrhea, which can leave them very dehydrated. This can proceed to septic shock and result in death within 48 to 72 hours. So, if your dog tells you that he or she has canine parvovirus illness, after you say, "how the heck are you talking to me" and "how the heck do you know, did you Google your symptoms," make sure that you contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. There's no specific medication for canine parvovirus illness, but the vet can administer aggressive electrolyte, protein and fluid replacement treatment to prevent shock and death.

And isolate your dog away from everyone and everydog else. The canine parvovirus is very, very contagious. Just a very small amount of poop can carry enough virus to infect others. And since dogs aren't always great at using the toilet, washing their paws, and the whole don't-lick-everything-you-see thing, infected dogs may end up contaminating any kennel surfaces, bowls, collars, leashes, sailor dog uniforms, and other objects around them. This includes the hands and clothing of people. Therefore, thoroughly clean and disinfectant everything that an infected dog has touched.

Moreover, if you haven't already done so, get your dog vaccinated against the canine parvovirus as well as rabies, canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis. The canine parvovirus vaccine may not protect against this yet-to-be-determined canine parvovirus-like illness, but it does offers very good (although not 100%) protection against the standard canine parvovirus. A small percentage of vaccinated dogs may still end up getting infected with the standard canine parvovirus. Now you yourself probably don't have to worry about becoming ill from the canine parvovirus, assuming that you don't have four legs, a tail, and a strong predilection to licking yourself. The parvoviruses that can infect humans are different from the canine parvovirus, which is the reason for the word "canine."

Of course, it's still not clear what specific pathogen is causing this current outbreak in Michigan. There haven't been any reported human illnesses to date. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to maintain appropriate infection prevention precautions. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, making sure that you lather your hands with soap and water for at least 20 "woof-woofs." Keep any areas that may have been touched by your dog clean and disinfected. And pay attention to any symptoms that your dog may be having. It is your doggy duty to tell if there's something wrong with your doggy's doody.

Vaccines Are Safe For Senior Dogs [Ask The Vet]

Editor's note: Dr. Lee Pickett has retired, but Creators is continuing to distribute columns from her archive. This one is from 2019.

Q: What is your opinion about vaccinating older dogs? As my two healthy senior dogs aged, their veterinarian increased the intervals between vaccinations. I worry that my dogs are now too old to safely vaccinate.

A: There is no evidence that vaccination increases the risk of any disorders in senior dogs. Vaccinations are spaced out as dogs age not because the vaccines are unsafe but because the duration of immunity is longer with repeated use.

Depending on the vaccine, initial doses protect for three weeks to a year. Thereafter, some vaccines last longer than that.

The American Animal Hospital Association, or AAHA, makes recommendations about vaccinations and senior dog health care by relying on evidence-based medicine, i.E., rigorous, high quality research, not opinion. Their guidelines are published at https://www.Aaha.Org.

AAHA recommends core (essential) vaccinations for common, serious viral diseases, including distemper, adenovirus and parvo. If the dog received the initial vaccine series and a booster within a year, most studies show they retain protective antibodies to these viral diseases for at least three years.

Rabies, another core vaccine, is boosted by the date shown on the rabies certificate. After initial vaccinations, that vaccine, too, is often repeated every three years.

Noncore vaccines protect dogs from diseases they may be exposed to based on geography and lifestyle. Examples are Bordetella, leptospirosis and Lyme vaccines, all of which protect against bacterial diseases. Research shows that duration of immunity isn't as long for bacterial diseases as viral diseases, so AAHA recommends vaccinating dogs at risk for these diseases every year.

AAHA doesn't recommend withholding vaccinations from senior dogs, because there is no evidence to support the practice. Indeed, elderly pets, like elderly people, often have poorer immune function than young and middle-aged adults, so vaccination boosters may be even more necessary in this age group.

I suggest you follow the recommendations of your veterinarian, who is in the best position to know your dogs' health and vaccine requirements.

Q: My husband and I are expecting a child, and we're worried our baby will upset our two cats, who have had us to themselves most of their lives. How can we prepare our cats for the new arrival?

A: Pets offer children unconditional love, and research shows that children who grow up with pets have fewer allergies, better intellectual development, and higher self-esteem and social competence than children without pets.

You're wise to plan ahead to ensure that your cats are happy with their new family member. Start by carrying a baby doll around in your arms. To familiarize your cats with baby scents, apply the products you'll use on your child to the baby doll, and let the cats sniff. Record baby sounds, and play them daily.

Accustom your cats to the sight, sounds and smells of a real baby by inviting a friend with a baby to visit.

After your child is born and while you're still in the hospital, have your husband take home a blanket or cap your baby used, and let your cats sniff it.

Once the baby comes home, remember to spend time petting, snuggling and talking to each of your cats so they'll know you still love them.

Minimize parasitic infections by keeping your cats indoors and using a preventive, like Revolution or Advantage Multi, that targets fleas and intestinal parasites, particularly roundworms and hookworms, both of which can infect children. Keep baby toys separate from pet toys.

Supervise young children's interactions with pets, teaching them to treat pets gently and with respect.

Perhaps my most helpful advice is to download a free copy of the outstanding "Pet Meets Baby" book at https://www.Americanhumane.Org/app/uploads/2016/08/petmeetsbaby-2014.Pdf.

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