Experts generally agree that the core vaccines for dogs include distemper, canine adenovirus-2 (hepatitis and respiratory disease) and canine parvovirus-2. Some would say vaccines to protect against leptospirosis and coronavirus should also be considered "core" vaccines.

Noncore vaccines include canine parainfluenza and Bordatella bronchiseptica (both are causes of kennel cough), Borrelia burgdorferi (causes Lyme Disease), and for some veterinarians, coronavirus and Leptospira. Again, consult with your veterinarian to select the proper vaccines for your dog or puppy.

Researchers at the Veterinary Schools at the University of Minnesota, Colorado State University and University of Wisconsin suggest alternating vaccinations in dogs from year to year. Instead of using combination vaccines (vaccines against more than one disease) they recommend using vaccines with only one component, e.g., a vaccine that only contains parvovirus. So, one year your dog would be vaccinated against distemper, the next year against canine adenovirus-2, and the third year against parvovirus. Then the cycle would repeat itself. Other researchers believe we may not have enough information to recommend only vaccinating every 3 years. As with cat vaccines, manufacturers of dog vaccines have not changed their labeling which recommends annual vaccinations. Again, each dog owner must make an informed choice of when to vaccinate, and with what. Consult with your veterinarian to help you make the decision.

Heartworm Testing

Dogs on monthly preventatives (e.g., Heartgard, Interceptor)

Because of the heartwormís life cycle, it is advised that for dogs on seasonal preventative, any testing should be performed no earlier than 6.5 months after the last monthly date the preventative was given. In areas with very short mosquito seasons, and for clients who carefully administer the monthly preventatives, testing at 2-3 year intervals is sufficient. It is recommended, however, that a test be performed after the first year the dog has been on the preventative.

For a dog that receives a monthly heartworm preventative year round, the American Heartworm Society suggests that the interval between tests could be longer that one year. This is only if there were no missed or late doses of preventative. If a dose was missed or late, the dog should be tested on an annual basis. It is also recommended that a test be performed after the first year the dog has been on the preventative.

The active ingredient in most daily preventatives is diethylcarbamazine. Severe reactions can occur if diethylcarbamazine is given to a dog with adult heartworms. Because of this, dogs receiving daily preventatives on a seasonal basis must be tested before the preventative is resumed in the spring or summer. Dogs receiving daily preventative all year round must be tested annually.

As with vaccinations and heartworm testing, you will find different opinions on when/if fecal examinations should be performed and when/if pets should receive regular wormings. Decisions on testing and worming should be based on circumstances such as:

• the age of your pet
• the likelihood your pet is exposed to feces from other animals,
• whether your pet is on a heartworm preventative that also controls intestinal parasites,
• if your pet has been previously infected,
• if you plan to breed your female pet, and
• if there are children who play with the pet.

The American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have made the following recommendations for deworming dogs and cats:

Puppies and Kittens