Booster Shots for Dogs

Most people know that puppies need a series of shots to protect them from deadly diseases. But adult dogs also need booster shots to make sure they are not susceptible to diseases. Rabies vaccinations are legally mandated, so check your state's law on how often you are required to have your dog vaccinated for that disease.

  1. Rabies

    • All dogs should receive rabies booster shots regularly. Your state's rabies law and your veterinarian can help you decide how often to administer a rabies vaccination. Rabies is a disease that affects a dog's nervous system. The disease is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, as rabies can cause aggression. Some animals that carry rabies include rats, raccoons, skunks and bats. Rabies can be transmitted to humans. The disease can be fatal.

    Canine Parvovirus

    • Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease, so it's important that your dog be vaccinated. This virus destroys the dog's lymphatic tissue, bone marrow and intestines and causes bloody diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Dogs catch canine parvovirus from coming into contact with the feces of an infected dog. That means if staffers at a kennel or vet office didn't properly clean after housing an infected dog, a dog that hasn't been vaccinated can easily become sick because the virus can live for years. This painful virus can be fatal if the dog doesn't receive treatment.

    Canine Distemper

    • Regular canine distemper vaccinations are recommended because the disease is extremely contagious and is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected dogs. Canine distemper results in death in more than half of the dogs that get it. Even if the dog doesn't die, damage to its nervous system can leave the dog with paralysis or seizures.

    Infectious Tracheobronchitis

    • Vaccinating your dog against infectious tracheobronchitis, or bordetella, is advised if you plan on boarding your dog, or if it comes into contact with other dogs frequently. Infectious tracheobronchitis is often called kennel cough and causes dogs to have a high-pitched cough often followed by vomiting. Although kennel cough is not a fatal condition, it is painful for the dog.