Understanding canine vaccines: What is 'core' and 'non-core'?May 31, 2023The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recently released its 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines.1 This resource is incredibly comprehensive (almost any question you might have related to vaccination is addressed!), contains resources for veterinary team members and pet owners, and assists with preventive care. Perhaps the most important question raised in the updated guidelines is: "Should we be re-thinking what we consider 'core vaccines' for individual patients?" Spoiler alert: the answer is yes. 'Core' and 'non-core' vaccines Traditional core vaccines are those recommended for all pets, regardless of lifestyle. These vaccines protect against diseases that are easily transmissible, serious, and/or fatal. The following are core vaccines AAHA recommends for every dog (unless there is a medical reason for exemption): Canine distemper virus (CDV) Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) Rabies virus Other vaccines (i.e. "non-core") are sometimes considered "optional." Here, cost-conscious or vaccine-hesitant clients may decline vaccines the veterinary team does not specifically classify as core or "required" for their pet. However, this is where a change in both perspective and narrative with clients might be needed. These "non-core" vaccines may be considered "core" for certain dogs, and the AAHA similarly states the vaccines below …
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