I no longer vaccinate Dempsey at all. I am convinced that he has lifetime protection against all the viral diseases (Parvo, Distemper, Parainfluenza, Hepatitis and Rabies). Studies have been published for Parvovirus, and Distemper showing that protection lasts at least seven years; serology (titer) tests show duration up to 15 years (see Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know). These studies are ongoing, meaning the duration may be even longer; none of the studies have shown immunity to wear off. I did titers the first year, for peace of mind, but no longer do them, as I'm satisfied my dog is protected.

The 2003 Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccination Task Force says, "Dogs have been shown to maintain antibody titers to the core viruses CDV [distemper], CPV-2 [parvo], CAV-1 [adenovirus] and CAV-2 in viral-free environments for many years. In a study reported in 1997, dogs vaccinated with a product containing CDV and then place in an environment without CDV maintained antibody titers for at least 10 years. In a more recent controlled study of puppies vaccinated at 7 and 10 weeks of age (and housed with unvaccinated dogs to ensure CDV, CPV-2, CAV-1 and CAV-2 were not present), it was shown that vaccinated dogs maintained antibody titers for more than 4 years. . . . We now know that booster injections are of no value in dogs already immune, and immunity from distemper infection and vaccination lasts for a minimum of 7 years based on challenge studies and up to 15 years (a lifetime) based on antibody titer."

Bacterial Diseases

The vaccinations for bacterial diseases, including Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Lyme disease, do not provide long-term protection and in general must be be given yearly or even more often in order to provide protection.

Leptospirosis:

The benefit vs. risk ratio needs to be taken into account when deciding whether or not to vaccinate against lepto. Lepto is spread through the urine of infected animals, so dogs who spend time outdoors, swim in potentially contaminated water, or drink from water (including outdoor water dishes) that might have come in contact with wildlife are at greater risk than those who spend most of their time indoors. The vaccine is considered good for one year, but protection may last 9 months or less. Because lepto infections are most common in the spring and fall, vaccinations should be timed to try to cover those periods.

Bordetella:

Bordetella is a form of kennel cough. Dogs who live in kennels, are boarded, or who are exposed to a lot of other dogs, such as at dog parks, are at greater risk. Kennel cough is rarely fatal but can be very uncomfortable for the dog, and is highly contagious. I do not give the bordetella vaccine, as I believe the risk of exposure is low for Dempsey.

Lyme disease:

The Lyme vaccine can induce the same symptoms as the disease, but they do not respond to treatment, although I'm not sure if this is still true for the newer vaccine. The vaccine also has limited efficacy (only protects about 50% of dogs that get it, and doesn't last very long). I don't vaccinate for Lyme disease for these reason.

Note that if you do vaccinate for bacterial diseases, these vaccines should be separated from those given for viral diseases, according to veterinary vaccine specialist Ronald Schultz, and the lepto vaccine should never be given before the age of 12 weeks. Follow this link for answers to some basic questions.