Summary of Vaccination Guidelines
for SHELTERS-Canine

From the 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines ( www.aahanet.org/resources/guidelines_canine.aspx)

Vaccines Recommended for
Shelter-Housed Dogs

Vaccine Initial
Inoculations
PUPPIES
(< 16 weeks old)		 Initial
Inoculations
ADULT &
ADOLESCENT
(> 16 weeks old)		 COMMENTS
Recombinant Distemper
+ Adenovirus-2
+ Parvovirus

(Combination product)

NOTE:  With the exception of Rabies, killed-virus vaccines should NOT be used in shelter-housed dogs or cats.		 Administer 1 dose immediately on admission;  then,

Every 2 weeks
until 16 weeks of age.

NOTE:  If occurrence of Parvovirus and/or distemper is high, vaccinate puppies as young as 4 weeks of age.		 Administer 1 dose immediately on admission;  then,
Repeat in 2 weeks if still in the facility.    		Recent studies at U of Wisconsin have shown the ability of the RECOMBINANT Distemper vaccine (in combination with Adenovirus-2 & Parvovirus)¹ to immunize puppies in the face of maternal antibody.  Shelter-like environmental challenge study demonstrated protection among vaccinated puppies.

Conventional MLV canine distemper vaccines will not immunize in presence of maternal antibody.

Alternative: A combination MLV Distemper-Adenovirus-2-Parvovirus product may be used.  However, these vaccines will not immunize puppies that have nursed and have maternal antibody level.  NOTE:  low levels of maternal antibody may interfere with vaccination yet not protect against natural exposure. 
Bordetella bronchiseptica
+ Parainfluenza Virus

(Intranasal Vaccine is Recommended-see Comments)

(Combination Product)

CAUTION:  DO NOT ADMINISTER PARENTERALLY
 Administer a single dose by the intranasal route at the time of admission to the shelter.
 Administer a single dose by the intranasal route at the time of admission to the shelter. 
NOTE:  ALL intranasal vaccines contain both B. bronchiseptica + Parainfluenza Virus.

A limited number of intranasal vaccines also contain Adenovirus-2...these products are not recommended if using a parenteral Adenovirus-2 (above).

Alternative: A parenteral vaccine is available, however a 2-dose regimen, given 2 weeks apart, is required to immunize, making this product impractical for use in most shelters.
Rabies 1-Year
Administer 1 dose at the time of release from the shelter to puppies 12 weeks of age and older.

A booster vaccination is generally required 1 year later.
 Regardless of the dog’s age...

Administer 1 dose at the time of release from the shelter.

A booster vaccination is generally required 1 year later.		 There is no medical indication for administration of Rabies vaccine at the time of admission unless dogs will be housed in long-term shelters or sanctuaries.

Local statutes may supersede these Rabies Vaccination recommendations.

Separate regulations may apply to dogs being held on a Rabies Quarantine. 
1 RECOMBITEK® C3:  MERIAL Ltd, Duluth, GA (USA)

Vaccines NOT Recommended for
Shelter-Housed Dogs

Vaccine COMMENTS
Distemper-Measles (D-M) (MLV) The Canine Distemper-Measles vaccine is a 1970’s vintage product that was originally intended to protect puppies (ONLY) against distemper virus infection even in the presence of Maternal Antibody.  While this product (Measles virus) will induce measles antibody that cross protects against canine distemper, the vaccine must be given IM;  also, the vaccine should not be given to dogs greater than 16 weeks of age.   (see FACT FINDERS below)

NOTE:  the recombinant Canine Distemper virus does everything the Canine D-M vaccine was intended to do without the associated consequences of interfering maternal antibody.  The recombinant Distemper vaccine can be used in routine vaccination programs in puppies as well as adult dogs.
Canine Coronavirus (MLV & Killed) While infections may be common among shelter-housed dogs, there is no test for infection, clinical disease is mild to inapparent and, if present, generally limited to puppies (≤ 6 weeks of age).  In addition, the efficacy of current vaccines is limited.  Although commercial vaccines are safe, the benefit of vaccination does not justify the expense.
Leptospirosis Not indicated in shelter-housed dogs due to absence of exposure risk.
Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) Not indicated in shelter-housed dogs due to absence of exposure risk.
Giardia lambia Not indicated in shelter-housed dogs due to absence of exposure risk.
Anecdotal comments from veterinarians suggest this vaccine is being use to “treat” giardiasis;  limited studies have shown that the vaccine is not effective when used in this way. The giardia vaccine is not labeled for therapeutic use.
Canine Adenovirus-1 CAUTION:  Individuals who donate vaccine to shelters are likely to have purchased OTC vaccine (pet product catalogs or websites);  some of the OTC products available today contain MLV Adenovirus-1 (which can cause serious adverse events:  “blue-eye” and  nephritis). Some OTC products actually contain BOTH Adenovirus-1 and Adenovirus-2.
Crotalus atrox (the “Rattlesnake Vaccine”) Not indicated
Porphyromonas spp. vaccine (the “Periodontitis” vaccine)
 Not indicated

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FACT FINDERS - Canine Shelter Guidelines:
  1. Canine Shelter Guidelines were developed to facilitate veterinarians who work in shelter medicine or advise shelters on vaccination recommendations. They have been developed specifically to address cost and efficacy issues based on realistic risk of infectious disease exposure to dogs housed in a shelter environment.
  2. Although multiple D-A2-P (CORE) Vaccines are available, incorporating the Recombinant Canine Distemper vaccine has clear advantages in the shelter environment, particularly where the risk of infection to canine distemper exists or is considered to be high. In particular, the recombinant CDV (rCDV) vaccine will immunize puppies despite the presence of maternal antibody; furthermore, vaccination of puppies with a combination vaccine containing the rCDV is recommended as early as 3 WEEKS of age where distemper risk is particularly high.
  3. The MLV Distemper-Measles vaccine is still available. However, the rDistemper vaccine is recommended over that vaccine. REASON: Females dogs that develop Measles Antibody could pass that to subsequent litters in the form of Maternal Antibody…which, in turn, may interfere with attempts to vaccinate puppies against distemper.
  4. Early Vaccination against Canine Distemper. In HIGH PREVALENCE environments and during OUTBREAKS, puppies as young as 3 weeks of age should be vaccinated with a combination vaccine containing Recombinant Distemper. Vaccine containing the recombinant vaccination should occur every 2 weeks until 15-16 weeks of age if the dog remains in the facility.
  5. INTRANASAL B. bronchiseptica Vaccine is PREFERRED . Recent publications support the use of an intranasal vaccine to protect dogs against infectious tracheobronchitis (“kennel cough”):
    - A single dose can induce a protective immune response within 3 to 5 days…the parenteral vaccine initially requires 2 injections, 2 to 4 weeks apart, to induce an immune response. Protective immunity occurs several days to 2 weeks following the second inoculation.
    - ALL intranasal vaccines are combined with parainfluenza virus vaccine. The intranasal route is actually preferred for administering parainfluenza virus vaccine.
    - While BOTH vaccine (intransal and parenteral) will protect against clinical signs following exposure, the intranasal vaccine prevents shedd
  6. Adenovirus-2 and Parvovirus vaccines should be Modified Live Virus (MLV) products. There is no place in a shelter for killed virus vaccines. REASON: A single dose of MLV vaccine may induce a protective immune response. A minimum of 2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart, is required to induce protective immunity…in a shelter…that kind of time is NOT available. There are NO killed canine Distemper vaccines.
  7. Canine Adenovirus-1 (CAV-1) vaccines are still sold through catalogs and the internet and are occasionally donated to shelters by benevolent donors. DO NOT USE VACCINES CONTAINING CAV-1.

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