During your vet consult, your vet may have discussed dog vaccinations. You may be eager to learn more.
A Singapore-licensed veterinarian at a pet clinic in Singapore has written this article on dog vaccines, which follows the “Singapore Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats 2020”. This article describes “core” vaccines and “non-core” vaccines, what they are for, vaccination schedules, and the potential side effects of vaccinations.
We strongly recommend that all dogs receive “core vaccines”, regardless of background/lifestyle. “Core vaccines” differ amongst countries, depending on the disease risks in these countries. In Singapore, “core vaccines” protect against the following viruses:
Unvaccinated puppies are at the highest risk of death from these diseases.
Pet clinics in Singapore -including Vets for Life Animal Clinic- offer combination vaccines against the above diseases. These vaccines also protect against other diseases, including Leptospirosis (details later).
Vaccines are given according to a schedule. A vaccination schedule has two parts- the ‘initial vaccination series’, and immunity-maintaining boosters.
The first vaccine in the initial series is given when a puppy is at least 8 weeks old. The puppy is then revaccinated every 2-4 weeks until s/he is 16 weeks old.
However, adult boosters for core vaccines can be protective for over a year. Therefore, ask the Vets for Life Animal Clinic team about “Vaccicheck” (an alternative to annual core vaccines). “Vaccicheck” is a blood test that checks your dog’s immunity against the core diseases. You can get results within an hour, to check if a core booster is needed for that particular year. Note that departures from vaccine manufacturers’ specifications are considered “off-label”.
Depending on your dog’s lifestyle, your vet may recommend annual boosters over Vaccicheck. Generally, dogs that often go outdoors or mix with other dogs should receive more frequent boosters than entirely indoor dogs in single-pet households.
If your dog is over 16 weeks old and has no/irregular/unknown vaccination history, consult your vet for personalised advice.
In Singapore, “non-core” vaccines protect against the following diseases:
Leptospirosis: A bacteria that infects many species, including rats, dogs and humans. Leptospirosis spreads through infected urine and other body fluids (except saliva), and can survive for months in contaminated water/soil. As rats are common in Singapore, dogs can get leptospirosis from licking/nosing at puddles contaminated with rat urine – and then infect their humans.
Leptospirosis causes bleeding disorders and multiple organ failure (e.g. kidney/ liver failure). Signs in animals and humans include jaundice, vomiting, reduced urination and reddened eyes.
Although leptospirosis is “non-core”, outbreaks occur in Singapore. In January 2024, the Upper Thomson area had a cluster of dog cases.
All dogs that go outside should receive leptospirosis vaccines The initial vaccination is given when the puppy/dog is at least 8 weeks old, with a second vaccination 2-4 weeks later. Annual boosters are required to maintain immunity. Consult your vet for specific advice if your dog has an irregular/no vaccination history.
Although dog combination vaccines in Singapore often protect against core diseases and leptospirosis simultaneously, you may not always need the combination vaccine annually. Ask your vet about Leptospirosis-only vaccines, which can be used if your dog’s “Vaccicheck” results indicate immunity against the core diseases.
You can also cover drains if living on landed property (to prevent rat infestations). Walks benefit dogs’ health, so continue them (unless your vet instructs otherwise) and avoid puddles.
Kennel Cough is inflammation of the airway caused by many germs (e.g. Bordetella, adenovirus-2). Signs include coughing, runny nose/eyes and sneezing. Kennel cough can self-resolve, or progress to pneumonia.
Some pet clinics in Singapore stock oral and nasal vaccines. Generally, these vaccines are recommended for dogs in high-density settings (e.g. boarding, dog parks). One initial dose is given to puppies that are at least 8 weeks old, followed by yearly boosters.
Rabies is a deadly virus that affects mammals’ nervous systems. Singapore has been rabies-free since 1953. Therefore, rabies vaccination isn’t necessary as the risk is low – unless you are exporting your dog. If so, consult your vet for advice.
Although vaccines (and any medication) can have side effects, there’s a low risk of serious reactions. For most pets, vaccination benefits far outweigh the risks. However, pets sometimes develop mild side effects (e.g. diarrhoea, vaccination site lumps, lethargy, mild fever). Consult a vet if these signs last more than 1-2 days.
If life-threatening side effects like breathing difficulty/collapse occur (very rare), call an emergency vet clinic in Singapore immediately.
The vaccination schedules in this article are general guidelines, so consult your vet for specific advice.
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