Dog owners in Dallas, Texas may hear a lot about how important vaccines are for the health of their pets, yet still be unsure which vaccinations their pet should have and how often they should get them.

The core vaccines include rabies and DHPP/DA2PP (distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus (1&2), parvovirus, and parainfluenza). Non-core vaccinations are not required but are highly recommended based on your pet’s lifestyle.  Bordetella bronchiseptica is a non-core vaccine that prevents kennel cough. It is an important vaccine for dogs that are frequently exposed to other dogs through social settings (i.e. dog parks, doggy day care, training classes, boarding, etc.). For adequate immunity vaccines are typically given in a series (initial, followed by boosters). Your veterinarian will determine a vaccination schedule that’s appropriate for your pet.