Ensuring your pet receives regular vaccinations is crucial for their health and well-being. At Zeus Nakulu Dog Shelter in Bhutan, we emphasize the importance of annual vaccinations to protect pets from various infectious diseases. Here’s a guide to the key vaccinations your pet needs annually:

Core Vaccinations for Dogs

1. Rabies
   • Purpose: Protects against rabies, a fatal disease transmissible to humans.
   • Frequency: Annually or every three years, depending on local regulations and vaccine type.
2. Distemper
   • Purpose: Prevents canine distemper, a serious viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
   • Frequency: Annual booster after the initial puppy series.
3. Parvovirus
   • Purpose: Protects against canine parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease.
   • Frequency: Annual booster after the initial puppy series.
4. Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis)
   • Purpose: Prevents infectious canine hepatitis, affecting the liver and other organs.
   • Frequency: Annual booster after the initial puppy series.
5. Parainfluenza
   • Purpose: Protects against canine parainfluenza virus, a cause of kennel cough.
   • Frequency: Annual booster after the initial puppy series.

Non-Core Vaccinations for Dogs

1. Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
   • Purpose: Protects against Bordetella bronchiseptica, a common cause of kennel cough.
   • Frequency: Annually or as recommended, especially for dogs frequently in contact with other dogs.
2. Leptospirosis
   • Purpose: Prevents leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can affect both dogs and humans.
   • Frequency: Annually, particularly in areas where leptospirosis is prevalent.
3. Lyme Disease
   • Purpose: Protects against Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks.
   • Frequency: Annually, especially in regions where Lyme disease is common.

Core Vaccinations for Cats

1. Rabies
   • Purpose: Protects against rabies.
   • Frequency: Annually or every three years, depending on local regulations and vaccine type.
2. Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia)
   • Purpose: Prevents feline distemper, a highly contagious viral disease.
   • Frequency: Annual booster after the initial kitten series.
3. Feline Herpesvirus (Rhinotracheitis)
   • Purpose: Protects against feline herpesvirus, causing respiratory illness.
   • Frequency: Annual booster after the initial kitten series.
4. Calicivirus
   • Purpose: Protects against calicivirus, another cause of respiratory illness in cats.
   • Frequency: Annual booster after the initial kitten series.

Non-Core Vaccinations for Cats

1. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
   • Purpose: Protects against feline leukemia virus, which can cause immunosuppression and cancer.
   • Frequency: Annually, especially for outdoor cats or those in multi-cat households.
2. Bordetella
   • Purpose: Protects against Bordetella bronchiseptica, a cause of respiratory infections.
   • Frequency: Annually, particularly for cats in boarding or multi-cat environments.

Additional Considerations

• Consult Your Vet: Work with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination schedule for your pet based on their age, health status, lifestyle, and local disease prevalence.
• Keep Records: Maintain an up-to-date vaccination record for your pet to ensure timely boosters.
• Health Checks: Use annual vaccination visits as an opportunity for a comprehensive health check-up.

Why Vaccinations are Important

1. Disease Prevention: Vaccinations protect pets from common and often fatal diseases.
2. Public Health: Some diseases, like rabies and leptospirosis, can be transmitted to humans, so vaccinating pets helps protect public health.
3. Community Safety: Ensures the overall health of the pet community by reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

By adhering to these vaccination guidelines, Zeus Nakulu Dog Shelter aims to promote the health and well-being of pets in Thimphu, Paro, and across Bhutan. Always consult with your veterinarian to tailor the vaccination schedule to your pet’s specific needs.