How it is delivered
Vaccines can come in five way vaccinations or seven way vaccinations.
The five way vaccine covers Parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus cough, hepatitis and parainfluenza. 7 way vaccine include leptospirosis and coronavirus . Including adenvirus 1 or 2 in a vaccine will protect against adenvirus cough and hepatitis. Adenvirus 2 is commonly preferred.
Puppies could need additional shots to protect from parvovirus at 15 weeks.
Many authorities claim that most dogs do not need to have boosters although this is down to the discretion of the vet. There are many schools of thought with this issue, and can become a little controversial.
Some authorities make a claim that instead of using multiple vaccines they should use single component so one year they are protected against distemper the next adenvirus 2 following year parvovirus and so on. Then, repeating it year by year in cycles. Thus, the dog receives protection from each one every 3 years. This is down to the vet’s discretion so a trusted relationship with your pet is important. Read more.
Who to believe?
There are arguments suggesting that booster shots are not necessary as once a dog has received a vaccine then his immune system is taught how to fight the onslaught of any disease for many years and even for life. The vet may be recommending the boosters as there are good profits in booster shots and of course the addition of getting you into the surgery yearly could possibly be advantageous to the vet. Some argue boosters can actually be harmful or at the very least a waste of time.
What do we know?
The problem is simply what do we know? A little bit of knowledge is dangerous as they say and we only have online accounts and how do we know as simple dog owners which are right. Well the simple rule there is first of all select your vet very carefully and work with a vet you feel you can trust and ask him his thoughts on the matter. Whether we are wasting our money on booster shots or not is something dog owners do not know the answer too so trust your vet is the only answer really.
Recommended
As it stands, the most common advice is to have your dog vaccinated at 6 to 8 weeks and return for booster shots every 3 to 4 weeks up until the dog is 16 weeks old. That is the age for the vital rabies vaccination. Many vets still recommend boosters yearly.
Why?
Nursing pups receive protection from mother’s milk from a vaccinated mother but over time, the immunity wears off. Not knowing when this immunity decreases then booster shots are given to protect them. It is also recommended by many that ageing dogs and its recommended by many vets that they need shots once every 2 years against parvovirus and distemper as they are vulnerable at advanced years.
Getting into veterinary debates, we do not really understand is pointless so simply trust a good well-recommended vet.