Vaccination Timeline

The following are general vaccination recommendations for adult dogs from the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force. However, the best vaccination schedule for your dog should be based on lifestyle and area of the country; talk to your dog's veterinarian.

~ Bordatella (bacterial illness commonly called kennel cough): optional; but recommended annually or more often for dogs at risk for infection

~ Borrelia burgdoferi (Lyme disease): optional, but recommended annually prior to start of tick season for dogs in high exposure areas

~ Canine adenovirus-2 (virus seen in combination with other agents causing upper respiratory infection): booster at one year, revaccinate every three years; also guards against canine adenovirus-1

~ Canine distempter (severe multisystemic viral disease): booster at one year, revaccinate every three years

~ Canine parvovirus (virus seen mostly in puppies that attacks the lining of the digestive system): booster at one year, revaccinate every three years

~ Leptospirosis (bacteria causing acute infection that can lead to kidney or liver disease): optional but can revaccinate every six months in high-risk situations, discontinuing booster schedule when exposure ceases.

~ Parainfluenza (viral disease, but less severe than distempter; also a type of kennel cough): booster at one year, revaccinate every three years

~ Rabies (virus affecting th brain and spinal cord): booster at one year, revaccinate every three years depending on state mandates