Core Canine Vaccination and Antiparasitic Administration in Shelter Medicine
Age Group | Vaccine or Parasite Type | Route of Administration | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vaccinations: | ||||
Dogs and puppies ≥ 3 wk | Bb and CPIV (with or without CAV-2) | Intranasal | At or before intake | Single dose |
Dogs and puppies ≥ 4 wk | DA2PP | Parenteral | At intake Booster q 2–3 wk until 18–20 wk old | Modified live virus vaccines should be used for most rapid onset of immunity |
Dogs and puppies ≥ 12 wk | Leptospira quadrivalent | Parenteral | At intake Booster once 3 wk later | Can use DA2LPP combination initially, then Leptospira quadrivalent alone for booster |
Dogs and puppies ≥ 12 wk | Parenteral | Single dose before release from the shelter or sooner | Required for release from the shelter | |
Dogs and puppies ≥ 20 wk | DA2LPP | Parenteral | At intake Booster once 2–3 wk later | For dogs entering shelter care at ≥ 20 wk old |
Antiparasitic medications: | ||||
Puppies ≤ 12 wk | Oral | At intake | Compounded ponazuril, 50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3 d, is most effectivea,b Puppies with diarrhea should be bathed daily during treatment | |
Dogs and puppies ≥ 2 wk | Roundworms and hookworms | Oral or topicalc* | At intake Repeat in 2 wk In puppies (and pregnant or nursing dogs) only, continue to deworm q 2 wk until age 16 wk; then q 1 mo until age 6 mo; and then q 3 mo | Common treatment products: pyrantel pamoate (eg, 5 mg/kg, PO, once, then repeated in 7–14 d); fenbendazole (eg, 50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3–5 d); avermectins (eg, selamectin, 6 mg/kg, topically, q 30 d) |
Dogs and puppies ≥ 6–8 wk | Oral or topical | At intake Repeat q 1 mo or as directed by product | Many products treat both internal and external parasites Use mechanical removal strategies for younger puppies | |
Dogs and puppies ≥ 8 wk | Oral, topical, or injectable | At intake Repeat q 1 mo or as directed by product | 6- and 12-mo injectable moxidectin products are available Many products include treatment for additional internal or external parasites | |
All dogs and puppies | Other internal or external parasites | Treat as appropriate based on testing results | Routine screening not indicated | Screening is recommended for clinically abnormal dogs and puppies |
Abbreviations: Bb, Bordetella bronchiseptica; CAV-2, canine adenovirus-2; CPIV, canine parainfluenza virus; DA2LPP, distemper, adenovirus-2, Leptospira, parainfluenza, parvovirus; DA2PP, distemper, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza, parvovirus. | ||||
a Although an approved commercial formulation of ponazuril is available in the US, it is labeled for horses and requires dilution. In the shelter setting, compounded versions may be preferable for ease of dosing in small animals. In addition, although sulfadimethoxine is approved in the US for coccidiosis in dogs and cats, the duration of treatment is longer. In the author's experience, ponazuril use results in better compliance and does not contribute to a longer length of stay in the shelter setting. b Litster AL, Nichols J, Hall K, Camp J, Mohamed AS. Use of ponazuril paste to treat coccidiosis in shelter-housed cats and dogs. Vet Parasitol. 2014;202(3-4):319-325. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.03.003 c Common treatment products: pyrantel pamoate (eg, 5 mg/kg, PO, once, then repeated in 7–14 d); fenbendazole (eg, 50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3–5 d) can be used at the intervals indicated in the Notes column. Avermectins (eg, selamectin, 6 mg/kg, topically, q 30 d) are not recommended to be used more frequently than once a month. | ||||