Non-core vaccinations in dogs | Don't give nasty diseases a chance

Non-core vaccinations in dogs. Vaccinations are indisputably part of a conscientious health prophylaxis for your dog. In this article we explain which non-core vaccinations are recommended for dogs, which pathogens they protect against and under which circumstances they are useful.

Which types of vaccinations are there in general?

Vaccinations are divided into core vaccinations and non-core vaccinations. The former protects against infections that all dogs are likely to get. The latter are only used if your dog is exposed to certain risk factors, for example close contact with other dogs in boarding kennels. Another important difference is that core vaccines provide comprehensive protection against disease, whereas some non-core vaccines do not prevent the onset of disease, but can only mitigate the symptoms. A well-known example of this is the vaccination against kennel cough.

Kennel cough: mainly available in animal shelters and boarding kennels

Wherever many dogs meet in a small space, infections can spread quickly from animal to animal. This is how kennel cough got its name: Dogs in kennels are particularly likely to contract it because they have close contact with many of their own kind.

The medical term for the disease is Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). Did you know that it can be triggered by various bacteria and viruses? That is why the vaccination against kennel cough contains two components: the Bordetella bacterium and the canine parainfluenza virus. Both trigger a sudden, dry cough when the disease breaks out, which can be followed by nasal discharge and inflammation in the nasopharynx.

The vaccination against bordetellosis has a special feature: it is applied directly to the nasal mucosa with the help of a syringe (without a cannula). The dog's parainfluenza virus can be administered in this way as well as injected under the skin, usually together with other vaccine components.

And the skin fungus sprouts happily: Greetings from dermatophytes

Dermatophytia is a fungal infection of the skin and is mainly caused by two fungal genera: microspores and trichophytes. They settle on the skin and hair and can cause itching as well as hair loss, dandruff and redness, which usually appear in a circular shape that is characteristic of fungi.

Your dog becomes infected through contact with other animals or through contaminated objects such as combs or blankets. Although the vaccination does not protect against infection, it alleviates the symptoms and can even be used therapeutically, i.e. to cure the skin fungus disease.

Borreliosis and leishmaniasis: Sandflies and ticks have loaded heavy artillery

The bite of a tick or sand fly is not dangerous in itself, but the infectious agents they can transmit are. You are probably familiar with Lyme disease caused by Borrelia from human medicine. These are bacteria that live in tick saliva. If they bite, they can get into the body and cause inflammation in the subcutaneous tissue, joints and kidneys. The interesting thing is that the Borrelia bacteria migrate into the dog's body at the earliest 24 hours after the tick bites. Therefore, you should always remove ticks as soon as possible!

If your dog has been vaccinated against Borrelia, it forms antibodies that the tick picks up when it sucks blood. They bind to the bacteria and prevent them from migrating into your dog's body.

Leishmania also moves with the help of a “vehicle”: sandflies. If your dog is bitten by one of these, the single-celled parasites enter the bloodstream. They infect the bone marrow, spleen, liver and immune cells. As a result, skin inflammation, loss of pigment in the nose and mouth area, but also systemic symptoms such as fever and emaciation can occur.

Not good for your dog's liver: infectious canine hepatitis

The virus causing the infectious liver inflammation (hepatitis contagiosa canis, HCC) primarily damages - as the name suggests - the liver, but also the kidneys and blood vessels. Nowadays, the disease has practically disappeared from the dog population − thanks in part to strict vaccination management! However, cases are still being reported in Eastern Europe.

The virus is excreted in faeces and urine and can be transmitted via these or directly from animal to animal.

Equally dangerous for humans and animals: rabies

Rabies is probably a word you have already heard. Germany has been considered free of rabies viruses since 2008. Only the related bat rabies still occurs occasionally, but infections via the small bats are extremely rare. So why do people still vaccinate? Because it is still widespread worldwide and can be brought into Germany. The rabies virus circulates mainly among domestic dogs, but is also found in many other animal species. Therefore, it is a legal requirement that dogs and cats brought into Germany must have valid rabies protection. In the past, it has happened from time to time that this requirement was disregarded and that the virus entered Germany as a stowaway, e.g. from Turkey. Many other countries also require a valid rabies vaccination or even proof of vaccine antibodies in the blood if you want to enter with a dog or cat.

Rabies is a monitored disease and very dangerous for humans and animals. It is transmitted via the saliva of infected animals. The virus causes damage to the central nervous system and the course of the disease is almost always fatal in the short or long term. Therefore, in case of suspicion, action is taken without compromise according to legal requirements: If a non-vaccinated animal is suspected of having rabies or has been in contact with a rabid animal, it is killed by order of veterinary authorities. This is to prevent further infections and protect people and animals in the vicinity. If your animal has been vaccinated, this does not happen; as a rule, only quarantine is ordered.

When should I vaccinate my dog?

Kennel cough occurs more frequently in animal shelters and boarding kennels as well as at dog shows. It is therefore always a good idea to get vaccinated before your dog meets lots of other dogs. This also includes puppy meetups or gatherings at the dog park. The same applies to vaccination against fungal skin infections.

Since Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, the need for vaccination depends on the presence of these parasites. You can look up on a map in which areas and at which times of the year there is a particularly high risk of infection with tick-borne diseases. In Germany, the tick season is now almost year-round due to the increasingly warmer climate.

Leishmaniasis is a disease that is mainly found in the Mediterranean region, but also in other European countries. You should therefore always consider vaccination and other preventive measures such as repellent collars if you plan to travel with your dog.

Rabies is very rarely brought into Germany by animals from abroad. Although rabies has been eradicated in many European countries, it still occurs on all continents. Countries and areas affected include Ukraine, Russia, the USA, North Africa, India and many more.

Infectious canine hepatitis has also been largely eradicated in Germany through regular vaccination. It can be transmitted by wild animals such as foxes or imported dogs from Eastern Europe.

Conclusion on non-core vaccinations in dogs

If your dog is at increased risk of contracting certain infections, you should consider preventive vaccination. This includes not only meeting lots of dogs, but also a tick bite or travelling to certain areas. It is best to discuss the matter with your vet or contact the confidu vet team to find an individual solution for you and your dog.

The confidu magazine is written by our veterinarians according to current scientific standards. The articles do not replace a veterinary diagnosis, but are intended to provide you with initial information on many topics related to your animal. If you have specific questions about your pet, our vets will be happy to advise you via the confidu app.