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Vaccinations for adult dogs are not only a good idea to help prevent serious illnesses and diseases, but in some cases they are a requirement. For example, when you take your dog to a groomer or have them boarded, they often require that your dog have vaccines against rabies and kennel cough. There are also required vaccinations when you are traveling by airplane with your dog. Here are some vaccines you must have, and others that are highly recommended.

Required Vaccinations

The first category of vaccinations are considered required as they prevent diseases that are easy to transmit. These are also referred to as core vaccinations. Some diseases are fatal to other animals, while others can actually be transmitted to humans, such as rabies. For this reason, the rabies vaccine is one of the most important vaccinations a dog should have. If you just adopted an adult dog and aren't sure what shots it has had, make sure you get the rabies shot.

The canine parvovirus and canine distemper vaccinations are also important to get. Canine distemper is a serious virus that has no cure. It affects dogs, ferrets, and wildlife. Since it can easily be contracted through direct contact, the vaccination is essential. Canine parvovirus is another illness you don't want your dog to get. The canine adenovirus 1 infection is also on the core vaccination list. Your veterinarian will inform you how often your dog needs these vaccines.

Suggested Vaccinations

Non-core vaccinations are considered voluntary, though they are still highly recommended. Your dog's risk for these diseases is what will determine whether or not they should have the shots. For example, if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, it might be at risk for tick infestation, which could lead to Lyme disease. There is a Lyme disease vaccination to protect it against the disease. Dogs that often go to lakes or rivers should also get the leptospirosis vaccine. Others you might want to consider are the canine cough complex vaccine and the canine influenza vaccine.

Parasite Testing and Treatment

While not actually vaccinations, treatment for different parasites is also very important to protect your dog's health. There are fecal tests that will look for internal parasites so you know what treatments your dog needs. You should also apply a good flea and tick prevention medication every month or so, depending on your veterinarian's recommendation. Fleas, ticks, and other parasites can make your dog very ill. To learn more, speak with a business like Basking Ridge Animal Hospital.