Core vaccine selection (dogs)

WSAVA guideline

Key findings

• Core, dogs (worldwide): CDV, CAV, CPV (variants); rabies core wherever endemic, first dose generally not before 12 weeks, 1- or 3-year DOI per law (VGG 2024, Introduction; Table 1).
• Leptospira regional core rule: core where endemic + serogroups known + suitable vaccines exist (recategorised from non-core in 2024); two doses 2–4 weeks apart then annual; DOI 12–14 (up to 15) months; lapse ≥18 months → restart 2 doses (VGG 2024, Introduction; FAQs).
• Puppy schedule (Table 1): start no earlier than 6 weeks; repeat every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks; high-risk: continue to 20 weeks at 2–3-week intervals; never more frequently than every 2 weeks.
• The most important dose is at ≥16 weeks; if only one vaccination is possible, give core vaccines at 16+ weeks (VGG 2024, Executive Summary).
• A further core dose at or shortly after 26 weeks replaces the old 12–16-month booster (VGG 2024, §Canine Vaccination Guidelines).
• Adults >16 weeks with unknown history: a single dose of MLV/recombinant core vaccine likely protects most (some manufacturers recommend 2 doses 2–4 weeks apart); Leptospira always needs 2 doses; one rabies dose immunises (VGG 2024, Table 1).
• Adult intervals: ~6 months, then 3 years of age, thereafter no more than every 3 years; a core MLV lapse >3 years needs only one dose, no restart (VGG 2024, Table 1; FAQs).
• A new recombinant CPV vaccine (single dose from 4 weeks) breaks through MDA before the routine course; serology for CDV/CAV/CPV from 20 weeks (VGG 2024, Table 1; §Serological Testing).

Drugs named in WSAVA’s own guideline text

As printed in WSAVA’s document, not this app’s own extracted data — see “Related drugs in this reference” below for that.

• (Dog)

  DOI of core MLV ≥3–4 years; lapse >3 years → one dose

• (Dog)

  Chimaeric recombinant CPV to overcome MDA in very young puppies

• (Dog)

  DOI 12–14 months; lapse ≥18 months → restart 2 doses

• (Dog)

  Single dose can immunise; law overrides datasheet

Recommendations

• Vaccinate all dogs against CDV, CAV, CPV (6-to-16+ week series, 3–4-weekly)

  Core

• Leptospira for all dogs in endemic regions (2 doses, then annual)

  Core (regional); Non-core elsewhere

• Rabies in all endemic areas, following local law

  Core (regional) + legal

• Final puppy dose at ≥16 weeks; further dose at or shortly after 26 weeks

  Core schedule principle

• Adult MLV/recombinant core boosters no more often than every 3 years

  Core

• Single-dose adult core vaccination where history is unknown

  Core (with manufacturer variation)

• Restart Leptospira (2 doses) if ≥18 months lapsed

  Core (regional) practice rule

• Lifelong core revaccination in geriatric dogs (>3-year lapse → fewer protective CDV/CAV titres in one study)

  Core

Related drugs in this reference (0)

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