Dog Boarding Vaccination Requirements: Dog Retreat & Spa
What are common dog boarding vaccination requirements? As we see the global rollout of dog boarding requirements and vaccinations against Covid-19, we are reminded that a minority of people are hesitant about vaccines and their efficacy. The science behind them is nuanced, so many people are flustered and shamed by their lack of knowledge, and turn to unreliable authorities for information. This doubt is natural and can be healthy in certain situations, but it seems that the banishment of polio from modern society has swiftly been forgotten.
A common procedure for dog daycares is to ensure dogs have had all their vaccinations before they’re allowed to attend. This is just as true at our dog daycare Waltham MA, as it is anywhere else, and is part of how we protect our clients dogs. With so much misinformation and disinformation about vaccines going around, we thought providing some plain old information about the vaccines might help.
Here is a look at the vaccines that dogs get, why they get them, and when and where they may be more relevant.
Dog Boarding Requirements: Core Vaccines
These are the vaccines which every dog should have regardless of geographical location, as the bacteria or viruses may be prolific. The appropriate time to vaccinate them and frequency will be determined by your vet, and some vaccines may require yearly boosters. The core vaccines include canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and rabies. For dog boarding rates checkout our price requirements.
1. Canine Parvovirus
Also known as ‘parvo’, this highly contagious virus is spread between dogs through exposure to an affected dog or its feces, which makes it an important vaccination to get before even taking your dog to a park. Vaccines have proven to be effective in preventing this infection, but the mortality rate of unvaccinated dogs is around 91%, which reminds us of the sheer importance of this vaccine.
Scientists define this virus as a disease of the stomach and small intestines, where it destroys cells, impairs absorption, and disrupts the gut barrier. It can also affect the heart, bone marrow, and lymphopoietic tissues, which can lead to major problems later in the dog’s life.
The following breeds are especially prone to parvo:
- American Staffordshire Terriers
- Doberman Pinschers
- English Springer Spaniels
- German Shepherds
- Labrador Retrievers
- Rottweilers
2. Canine Distemper
Another highly contagious virus, this one affecting the gastrointestinal, nervous, and respiratory systems in puppies and dogs. This virus has been found in a wide range of wild animals, including wolves, coyotes, marsupials, and even big cats. The symptoms appear similar to rabies, and are often fatal, or otherwise cause irreparable nervous system damage.
As it is relatively common in wild animals one should ensure their puppy or dog is vaccinated before taking them out into forests, parks, or wild areas.
3. Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Canine adenovirus 1, or canine hepatitis, is a disease which causes congestion of the mucous membrane, a reduction in white blood cells, a deficiency of blood clotting, and even severe depression. Caused again by contact with the bodily fluids or excrement of infected dogs, this is another important vaccine to get before taking your dog to the park. It targets the lining of blood vessels, the liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen, and often other organs are involved too. The mortality rate is highest among younger dogs, and for those that survive it can cause long term kidney damage and clouding of the cornea.
4. Rabies
A well-known and generally terrifying disease which causes aggression in most animals it affects, and has an extremely high fatality rate of 86%. Rabies is spread through saliva, so again it can be picked up from simply walking your dog through a park with wild animals. Cementing this as the final core vaccination which should be undertaken before exposing your dog to other dogs and animals.
Dog Boarding Requirements: Additional Vaccines Needed For Dog Daycare
Depending on where you live in the United States, your dog may also require additional vaccines on top of the core vaccines. At our dog daycare Waltham MA, we require the core vaccines as well as bordetella and the canine flu vaccine due to the prevalence of those viruses in our State.
Depending on where you live, your dog may also require vaccinations against
- Bordetella bronchiseptica – also known as kennel cough, this is a disease which can cause infectious bronchitis in dogs (read more here)
- Borrelia burgdorferi – one cause of Lyme disease in dogs which comes from ticks (read more here)
- Leptospirosis – a life threatening disease which can come from the urine of an infected animal (read more here)
- Canine flu – H3N8 and H3N2 canine influenza, while not always life-threatening can cause a range of issues for dogs (read more here)
On top of these vaccinations, our dog daycare Waltham MA and most other dog daycares will expect that your dog has received tick and flea treatment, and have been checked for parasites. Be sure to speak with your vet about the necessity of any of the above additional vaccines, and work with them to ensure your puppies get the core vaccines as soon as it’s safe to.