Imported vaccines are generally recommended

Whether to vaccinate your dog depends entirely on the owner's personal preference. Although vaccines cannot guarantee 100% prevention of infectious diseases, the infection rate of vaccinated dogs is indeed much lower than that of unvaccinated dogs. Moreover, some dogs still fall ill after vaccination, not because the vaccine is ineffective, but due to many owners' improper care. Therefore, for the safety of dogs, regular vaccination is recommended.

1. Overview of Common Dog Vaccines in China

Currently, commonly used major vaccines in domestic small animal clinics are divided into domestic and imported types. Among domestic vaccines, only a few brands are officially approved products by relevant veterinary and pharmaceutical departments; the rest are experimental products developed by research institutes or individuals. Domestic dog vaccines include seven-in-one, five-in-one, and monovalent vaccines.

The quality of imported dog vaccines is generally better than domestic ones. Dutch Intervet vaccines, American Fort Dodge vaccines, and American Pfizer vaccines are of relatively good quality and show good clinical effects. However, a considerable portion enters China through unofficial channels.

Imported vaccines mainly include six-in-one vaccines and rabies vaccines. They primarily prevent canine distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, infectious hepatitis, bronchitis, parainfluenza, rabies, and others.

2. Clinical Effects of Various Vaccines

From many years of clinical observation in small animals, in terms of protective effect after vaccination, imported six-in-one vaccines perform better clinically than domestic five-in-one vaccines. Domestic five-in-one vaccines offer protection against parvovirus comparable to imported products, but the imported six-in-one vaccine has better effectiveness against canine distemper virus. Domestic vaccines are cheaper, while imported vaccines are slightly more expensive; however, generally the prices are not very high and affordable to most people, especially considering the low frequency of vaccination.

Imported vaccines have similar quality, and their market share mainly depends on price, service, and supply. Their clinical efficacy in disease prevention satisfies users, and if dogs travel with their owners abroad, these vaccines are accepted by veterinary quarantine departments worldwide.

Do not make mistakes in the vaccination process

3. Rabies Vaccination is Mandatory for Dog Owners

According to Chinese regulations on dog ownership, dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is a contagious disease in dogs that can infect humans under certain conditions (e.g., being bitten by a rabid dog). Rabies is one of the zoonotic diseases that must be prevented.

Rabies vaccination benefits both dogs and the health of their owners. Currently, rabies incidence in major cities in China is low mainly because of vaccination efforts. It is noteworthy that rabies vaccines are best used as monovalent vaccines to ensure clinical effectiveness.

4. Steps for Vaccination

Generally, if a dog is healthy, vaccination can start at around 45 days of age. For dogs receiving vaccines for the first time, three doses are required. The first is a two-in-one vaccine, followed by the second dose around two weeks later with a four-in-one vaccine (imported vaccine). Approximately two weeks later, the third dose is given, which includes a four-in-one vaccine plus rabies vaccine. This completes the vaccination process for the first year. Afterwards, the dog only needs to receive an annual dose of the four-in-one plus rabies vaccine.