Veterinary medical guidelines are constantly being updated. Canine vaccination guidelines were updated in 2011, with the development of core vaccines that are proven to provide immunity for at least 3 years. Last year, in hospital canine titre tests became available in Canada. Canine vaccination guidelines can not be updated to incorporate in house titre testing. Over the next two weeks, I will post a series on canine titre testing and vaccinations. Posts on feline vaccinations and titre testing will follow. This week, we will start with a brief description of canine diseases and vaccinations.
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Part 1: Canine Diseases and Vaccines
The 2011 American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccination Guidelines divides vaccinations into 2 categories: core vaccinations and non core vaccinations. The AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines are the standard used throughout most of North America when recommending vaccinations for dogs. The AAHA Guidelines can be found on the AAHA website (see Appendix 2: Resources). It is important to recognize that the AAHA Guidelines are guidelines only: the exact vaccination schedule of a patient will vary depending on medical history (illnesses), missed vaccinations, and lifestyle.
