Vaccines Provided by Our Veterinary Staff

Part of keeping your pet happy and healthy is making sure they get the proper vaccinations each year. At Compassion Vet Hospital, our veterinary staff recommends the following vaccines for your pet in the Bradford, NH, area. 

Core Vaccines for Dogs:

The core vaccines for your dog are meant to prevent acquiring and spreading deadly diseases, some of which are transmittable to humans as well. According to AAHA (The American Animal Hospital Association) the following vaccines are considered core for every dog:

• Rabies
• Hepatitis
• Distemper
• Parvo
• +/- Parainfluenza

AAHA classifies Lyme, Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Influenza as “just as essential for some dogs based on their lifestyle and risk”. In consideration of our climate and other sources, however, CVH considers Lyme and Lepto to be core for all dogs. Bordetella and Influenza should be given to all dogs who go out in public places. Please read below for further information on each vaccine.

Lyme:

Our vets review blood work from dogs exposed to Lyme on a daily basis. It’s here in our region to stay. The ticks that transmit Lyme are out anytime the weather is over 37 degrees, which means there are plenty of midwinter days that make Lyme a year round risk. For this reason we strongly recommend all our canine patients be vaccinated and on year round prevention. Dogs who are on prevention and vaccinated rarely have clinical Lyme disease and knock on wood neither CVH vet has ever seen a vaccinated dog have a deadly form of Lyme. 

Leptospirosis:

Lepto is a bacterial infection transmitted by the urine of infected animals. From mice to racoons to deer, it can transmit off dew, puddles, urine in a barn or ponds and puddles. Urban and rural dogs are equally at risk. Lepto can transmit from a pet to a person and in both cause severe liver and kidney damage. The ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine) 2023 recommends that all dogs, regardless of breed or lifestyle, should receive this vaccine. 

Bordetella (kennel cough):

All dogs who go out in public can potentially be exposed to other dogs and various respiratory pathogens. While many of us correctly think of grooming, boarding, day care and training as being the most at risk spots, dogs interact with other dogs at stores, on walks, at the dog park and in other manners on a daily basis. Unless your dog does not leave home, they are potentially at risk. 

Influenza: 

Like kennel cough, flu can be transmitted anytime dogs are mixing with other dogs. Unlike kennel cough, flu can cause a much more serious illness and prevention is better than treatment. Not all boarding facilities require this vaccine, but we do recommend it for all dogs who frequent any facility with other dogs. 

Possible Side Effects

With any vaccination, there is the possibility that your pet may experience side effects. Most of these are very mild and may include soreness at the injection site or fever. It’s important to note that the majority of the side effects, and the percentage of animals that experience them, are very small risks when compared to the damage these diseases could do to your animal if acquired.

It’s best to schedule your pets’ vaccinations with our veterinary staff when you have the time to monitor your pets’ reactions over the next few hours. If they experience any of the following side effects, you should contact our office immediately:

• Loss of appetite for more than 36 hours
• Facial swelling or hives
• Collapse
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures

Is it time to schedule your pet’s annual vaccinations? If so, call Compassion Vet Hospital, serving Bradford, NH, today.

What about Vaccine Titres?

• We are always happy to run a vaccine titre for the Distemper/Parvo vaccine in place of a vaccine. We then only need to vaccinate should that titre come back low. 
• The State of NH does not, however, consider Rabies titres to be acceptable by law, so in compliance with state law, we do require our patients to be up to date with Rabies vaccines. 

Is it time to schedule your pet’s annual vaccinations? If so, call Compassion Vet Hospital, serving Bradford, NH, today.