What vaccinations are given to dogs after a tick bite? - briefly
After a tick attachment, dogs may receive a booster of the core vaccines—especially rabies and canine distemper—if they are due, and a specific immunization against Lyme disease if the tick species is known to transmit Borrelia. Additional vaccines, such as those for ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis, are administered only when regional risk or test results indicate exposure.
What vaccinations are given to dogs after a tick bite? - in detail
Vaccination decisions after a tick attachment focus on preventing diseases transmitted by the vector and maintaining routine immunisation schedules. The primary concern is Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. In regions where the pathogen is endemic, a recombinant Lyme vaccine is administered as a two‑dose series, followed by annual boosters. The protocol typically starts with the first injection at 8–12 weeks of age, with the second dose given 2–4 weeks later; a booster is given one year after the initial series and then annually.
When ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis are prevalent, some veterinarians employ a combined vaccine that targets Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This product follows a similar schedule: two initial doses spaced 2–4 weeks apart, then an annual revaccination. Availability varies by country, so local regulatory approval should be confirmed before use.
Core vaccines—distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza (often combined as DHPP)—remain essential. If a dog’s routine schedule is overdue, a booster is given promptly after the bite, regardless of tick exposure. Rabies vaccination, mandated in many jurisdictions, should also be up‑to‑date; a booster is administered according to local law (typically every 1–3 years).
A typical post‑tick‑bite immunisation plan may therefore include:
- Lyme disease vaccine – two‑dose primary series, annual booster; indicated in endemic areas.
- Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis vaccine – two‑dose primary series, annual booster; used where these pathogens are common.
- Core vaccine booster (DHPP) – single dose if the dog is overdue; reestablishes baseline protection.
- Rabies booster – administered per legal interval; ensures compliance with public‑health regulations.
- Optional Bordetella or leptospirosis vaccines – considered if the dog has additional risk factors (e.g., boarding, exposure to standing water).
Timing of administration should consider the dog’s health status. If the animal shows signs of illness (fever, lethargy, joint pain) after the bite, postpone non‑essential vaccines until recovery, but do not delay core or rabies boosters beyond a few days unless contraindicated. In cases where serologic testing for tick‑borne pathogens is performed, a positive result may influence the decision to vaccinate or to initiate antimicrobial therapy instead.
Overall, the vaccine regimen after a tick encounter balances disease‑specific prevention (Lyme, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis) with adherence to standard immunisation protocols, adjusted for regional disease prevalence and the individual dog’s vaccination history.