We’ve had a rash of good weather lately, and I’ve been gearing up for my next trip. I’m long overdue for a visit to a friend in the PNC, so I’ve been looking for a pet hotel in Seattle.
Before we go anywhere, though, I want to be sure to get the dogs in to see the vet — they are both due for shots. It’s obviously important to keep your pets’ vaccinations up-to-date, but especially if you travel a lot — not only are you looking at a greater chance of exposure to the diseases we vaccinate for, but you also need to consider local vaccination laws.
Here is a list of vaccinations you should be sure your dog has before traveling:
- Rabies - Because rabies is so serious, vaccination against it is required by law. Some states still require yearly vaccination, while others acknowledge that a single vaccine protects a dog for several years. Many vets have become concerned about over-vaccination, but if you frequently travel through areas that require yearly rabies vaccinations, you may want to comply.
- Leptospirosis - This is a disease that dogs usually pick up from standing water, so if you go on lots of walks or visit dog parks on your travels, your dog may come into contact with this. This vaccination only lasts a year, so unlike some of the other shots, you’ll have to get it at your dog’s annual exam.
- Giardia - Dogs can get giardia by drinking water outdoors, or by eating the feces of animals that have giardia infections in their small intestines. The vaccine from giardia doesn’t actually prevent the disease, but it keeps it from spreading by lessening the symptoms and limiting the amount of giardia that is in the dog’s feces, so it is an important vaccination for all dogs to have.
- Lyme disease - This vaccine is only really necessary if you live in an area where ticks are common, or if you expect to be traveling in such an area. The American Lyme Disease Foundation has a map that shows the areas in the United States where the risk is highest. You really only need to vaccinate where the risk is medium or high.
- Bordatella - Also known as kennel cough, bordatella spreads when dogs are kept in close quarters with one another, such as when you kennel your dog. Most kennels require a vaccine against this highly contagious doggie disease, so if you plan on kenneling your dog instead of taking him with you, you’ll need to get this vaccination. Be warned that it only lasts 6 months, so you will have to get it twice a year in order to keep your dog current!
Most vets recommend that you be sure to maintain an aggressive vaccination schedule if your dog is high risk. Traveling a lot is considered high risk, because traveling causes stress and stress weakens the immune system. At the same time, when you are traveling your dog is constantly encountering new things — new puddles to drink out of, new poop to sniff — so the risk is higher in that sense, too.
If you are thinking of traveling with your dog, be sure that his shots and other care is up-to-date before you leave. Also, don’t forget that vaccines generally take a couple of weeks to be completely effective, so you will need to be sure to plan ahead. For more information, this article is a really great resource on vaccinations!
Tags: bordatella, giardia, kennel cough, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, pet hotel in Seattle, rabies, vaccinations
