1300 489 873As the proud owners of loyal pooches, it’s our job to protect them from preventable diseases, and to do this, we need to get them vaccinated. That’s because immunisations can keep protect them from life threatening diseases.
But it’s not easy to navigate the world of dog vaccinations, and there’s a financial factor to think about. We need to know which vaccinations our furry friends need to receive, which jabs are optional, and how much they cost. Discover all you should know about vax for dogs in this guide to dog immunisations, and learn how much this treatment costs.
Which Vaccinations Should My Dog Receive?
When vaccinating your dog, there are a few core and non-core vaccines to think about. While core vaccines are those that protect against life-threatening diseases, non-core vaccines are given to our canine companions based on individual risk. Here’s more on each of these types of vaccines.
Core Vaccine
Our pooches should receive one core vaccine for dogs, which works against three fatal diseases. The three diseases the core vaccines protect against are:
- Canine distemper virus – Canine distemper virus is highly contagious. It can affect our canine friends at any age, and can cause coughing, sneezing, muscle tremors, fits, and more.
Vaccinations for canine distemper virus start when your furry canine friend is between six and eight weeks, and they’ll need to receive booster jabs every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old to stay protected.
- Canine adenovirus – Canine adenovirus can cause canine hepatitis, which can cause fever, appetite loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. The core vaccine protects against type 1 adenovirus.
Again, your puppy will need the first vaccine when they’re between six and eight weeks old. They’ll then need a booster when they reach six months to protect them from this virus.
- Canine parvovirus – Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract and bones. Sadly, it can lead to vomiting, lethargy, fever, and various other severe symptoms.
The good news is that the Canine parvovirus vaccine can protect your pooch. Your little pup will need to be vaccinated against canine parvovirus when they’re between six and eight weeks old until they reach 16 weeks old. They’ll then need boosters every 12 months.
Non-Core Vaccines
After an assessment of our beloved canine’s risk of infection, location, and lifestyle, a veterinarian will decide which non-core vaccines are needed. The non-core vaccines protect against:
- Canine parainfluenza virus – The canine parainfluenza virus can lead to coughing and nasal discharge. Canine companions might also experience low-grade fevers with this virus.
The vaccine protects against the kennel cough that canine parainfluenza can cause. Initial jabs are provided when your pup is between six and eight weeks. And after the first vaccination, boosters will be given when your pooch reaches 12 weeks and then afterward at 16 weeks.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica – If your pooch regularly comes into contact with other dogs, such as at the dog park or at dog day care, they may be at risk of Bordetella bronchiseptica. This upper respiratory infection can potentially lead to fever, lethargy, pneumonia, and other symptoms.
But the Bordetella bronchiseptica immunisation, as part of the C5 vaccine, protects against this canine disease. Your vet will offer this immunisation when the pup is between 10 and 12 weeks old, and it can take the form of an injection or drops in the nose.
- Leptospirosis – If your dog has contact with livestock or stagnant water, they’ll need protection from leptospirosis. This is a bacterial disease that can come from infected animals, leading to flu-like illnesses, meningitis, kidney failure, and liver failure.
It’s with the Nobivac Lepto 2 vaccine that your dogs can stay protected against leptospirosis. Your pup can receive this vaccine from when they reach 12 weeks – they’ll need two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart.
Puppy Vaccinations
As touched on, our little puppies should receive immunisations like the first core vaccine when they’re between six and eight weeks. And they should get boosters every 2 to 4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks. That’s because this vaccination schedule aligns with the lessening effect of maternal antibodies.
Before taking your pooch to the park, or going to a public place, remember, they need to have had all the routine vaccinations beforehand. This will ensure there’s less risk of contracting infectious diseases from other dogs.
Tip: If your pup hasn’t yet had all their immunisations, carry them around and try to ensure they have limited exposure to other dogs and animals.
Booster Vaccinations for Puppies
Vets might recommend that pups get booster vaccinations when they reach six months, just in case they haven’t responded to the first course of vaccinations. It’s the booster that will help ensure a protective immune response starts to develop in cases like these.
There’s also the option for your vet to complete serological testing following the last puppy vaccination to determine if they have the right amount of protection. These tests can happen four weeks after the last vaccination, and they help vets decide if your four-legged companion needs the six-month booster.
Vaccinations for Adult Dogs
Now that your pooch has had its core vaccinations and its booster, you’ll need to schedule a core vaccination every 1 – 3 years. This will really depend on the level of immunity your pup gains from the immunisation, which in turn depends on the type of vaccine the vet uses.
Tip: Ask your vet which vaccination they will use and check the level of immunity to determine when to schedule the next core vaccination.
But let’s say you adopt a dog that’s older than 26 weeks and you don’t know the immunisation history. In this scenario, it’s best to request one dose of the core vaccine. This will give your pooch sufficient protection.
When in doubt, it’s important to ask your vet for dog vaccination advice. They’ll be able to complete a health check before giving your beloved companion any immunisations.
Does Dog Insurance Cover Immunisations?
These vaccines can be costly, and we’ve covered price ranges further down. Despite the fact that insurance does not cover vaccinations, it can help you make savings elsewhere, meaning you will never need to sacrifice the health of your dog due to financial reasons.
Dog insurance, instead, can help you get reimbursed for care needed in other scenarios. For instance, if you’ve adopted an adult dog that has not been immunised, but sadly has a condition, you can get cover for illnesses to nurse them back to health.
PetsOnMe, for instance, in its Accidental, Classic, and Deluxe plans covers the costs of medication when you pay a premium. This will mean that for illnesses such as Leptospirosis, your pooch can make a full recovery and you will be covered for the medicines required.
How Much Do Dog Immunisations Cost?
Dog immunisation costs can vary. But, on average, puppy vaccinations will cost around $80 at the lower end and $150 at the higher end. Annual booster jabs for your adult dog will cost between $90 and $150.
The costs can depend on the kind of vaccine your pooch needs and the vet clinic you go to, so it’s important to be prepared for these costs. With pet insurance, a few providers can aid you with the costs of consultations required to determine which vaccinations your beloved canine needs.
We recommend checking dog insurance policies and providers, such as PetsOnMe, comparing your options, and checking which ones have consult fees included.
At PetsOnMe, we cover consult fees in our Accidental, Classic, and Deluxe plans. When you choose one of these policies and pay your premium, you will be reimbursed for a fraction of the eligible vet consult bills.
Cover the Costs of Vet Consultations with PetsOnMe
As the owners of a little pup or loyal dog, it’s our job to ensure they are protected against diseases and viruses. Taking them to the vet is a key part of making sure they get the right immunisations. Costs can add up, but with pet insurance from PetsOnMe, you can get a portion of vet consultation costs reimbursed quickly.
Our pet insurance comes with no lock-in contracts, up to $20,000 annual benefit limit, no sub-limits on consult fees, and is always transparent. Contact us today, and obtain simple and affordable dog insurance so you’re ready to handle vet consult costs when required.
