The Amount Of Time Each Vaccination Is Effective Is As Follows:
Everything You Must Know About Vaccinating Your Dog
Dog vaccinations play a critical role in protecting your dog from many dangerous and even fatal diseases. While state law requires all dogs are vaccinated for rabies, there are a number of other vaccinations that can protect your dog from serious diseases that are easily preventable.
At East Dallas Veterinary Clinic we have spent decades educating people about the benefits of dog vaccinations. This includes what vaccines are necessary and how they should be scheduled. Over the years we have been asked every question possible about dog vaccinations and we have compiled some of the most frequently asked ones for you here. This is only meant to be a general introduction dog vaccinations. At your dogs next veterinary appointment, we will be happy to help you understand the vaccination recommendations for your dog.
Texas law doesnt mandate any canine vaccines — with one important exception. By the age of 4 months, all dog and cats must receive a rabies vaccination. The Texas Department of State Health Services does recommend that pet owners check with their veterinarians “about other vaccines that are available for a wide range of diseases in these animals.”
If your dog is potentially exposed to rabies, either via a bite from a wild animal or a non-vaccinated canine, Texas law considers your dogs rabies vaccination current if the first injection was administered within 30 days before the incident. If your dog was previously vaccinated but is overdue for his booster shot, he is not considered current on his rabies vaccine. If not current, your dog is subject to much tougher quarantine restrictions than an animal considered vaccinated. That includes confinement in a veterinary facility or kennel rather than at home — and possible euthanization.
Any dog brought into Texas from another state or country past the age of 3 months must have a current rabies vaccination. You must provide the rabies vaccination certificate, which includes the vaccination date, type of vaccine and the veterinarians signature. While veterinarians practicing in Texas must use U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved rabies vaccines, a dog can still enter the state from another country if the type of rabies vaccine meets that countrys standards. Still, he must immediately receive an USDA-approved rabies inoculation from a U.S. veterinarian.
Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in “Horse News,” “Suburban Classic,” “Hoof Beats,” “Equine Journal” and other publications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from New York University and an Associate of Arts from the American Academy of Dramatics Arts, New York City.