Let’s Talk Dog Vaccines (Because You Thought You Were Done Talking About Vaccines…)
Just when you thought you were safe… safe from debates, safe from conversations at the dinner table, and safe from commercials reminding you to “talk to your doctor”—guess what season it is? That’s right. Flu Vaccine Season.
And what are we all supposed to do, class? Say it with me: GET VACCINATED.
But don’t worry—I’m not here to talk about your flu shot. I’m here to talk about dog vaccines. More specifically, the updated canine vaccination guidelines that quietly rolled out in 2022 and what they mean for your Labrador (or any dog, really).
So grab a leash, pour yourself something warm, and let’s unpack this.
Vaccines: A Necessary Lifeline—and a Billion-Dollar Industry
Before we get into canine specifics, let’s acknowledge something that rarely gets said out loud:
Vaccines are both a life-saving miracle and a very profitable business.
I’m not an anti-vaxer, and Bazurto Kennels follows all health protocols to protect our Labs, clients, and the breed at large. But let’s not pretend that the pharmaceutical supply chain—from the developers, to the packaging companies, to the refrigerated trucks that ship these tiny vials around the world—isn’t making a lot of money.
That includes your vet’s office. Administering vaccines is a steady revenue stream. And when you multiply that across every dog, every year, in every home in America? You get the picture.
It’s no secret in the veterinary world that vaccinations have helped keep many small practices afloat. With increasing pressure from corporate vet chains and rising overhead, vaccines are dependable. They’re scheduled. They’re billable. And for the majority of clients who come in just once or twice a year, those vaccines are often the main reason they even visit.
So yes, vaccines save lives. And yes, it’s also a lucrative system. Those two things can be true at the same time.
What the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines Say
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) updated its vaccination guidelines in 2022—and here’s the big change:
The recommendation for core vaccines (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Rabies) has moved from yearly to every three years for adult dogs.
Let me say that again for the folks in the back: Every three years. Not annually. Not “every time your pet comes in for a checkup.” Every. Three. Years.
This change isn’t just about frequency—it reflects a better understanding of how long immunity actually lasts. Dogs don’t need to be “boosted” every 12 months like we once thought. In fact, over-vaccinating can sometimes lead to adverse reactions, immune stress, or unnecessary inflammation.
And yet, many clinics still send those annual reminder cards—because that’s what the system was built around.
Core vs. Non-Core: What’s the Difference?
This is where it gets personal. Not every dog needs every vaccine. The AAHA divides vaccines into two categories:
- Core Vaccines – The essentials. These protect against the most serious, widespread diseases (Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, and Rabies). These are recommended for all dogs, regardless of location or lifestyle.
- Non-Core Vaccines – These are based on your dog’s risk profile. Examples include Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and Canine Influenza. If your dog doesn’t board, hike, swim in standing water, or spend time in tick-heavy areas, you might not need them.
But here’s the rub: non-core vaccines are often bundled in with the “annual vaccine visit”—even when they’re not always medically necessary.
It’s important to have a real conversation with your vet about what your dog actually needs, based on their lifestyle—not just what’s “typically done.”
Wait, Can’t I Just Test for Immunity Instead?
Technically, yes. There are tests (called titers) that can check whether your dog still has immunity to a particular disease.
But here’s the kicker: titers are often two to three times more expensive than the vaccine itself.
So now you’ve got a choice:
- Spend $150+ to see if your dog needs a $50 vaccine
- Core disease titer tests: $50 to $100
- Non-core disease titer tests: $100 to $200
- Panel tests, which include multiple diseases: $200 to $500
- Or just get the vaccine – National Average Cost
- DAPP/DHPP – $20 – $60 (per dose)
- Rabies – $20 – $30 (annually)
- Leptospirosis – $20 – $30 (annually)
- Bordetella – $30 – $50 (annually)
- Canine influenza – $45 – $65 (per dose)
- Lyme disease – $20 – $40 (per dose)
Most people, myself included, choose the second option—not because we don’t care, but because we do. We care about cost, practicality, and our dog’s well-being. And honestly, there’s a small emotional comfort in knowing we’re protected—even if that protection technically could’ve lasted longer.
What We Do at Bazurto Kennels
Here at Bazurto Kennels, we follow the guidelines that best reflect both scientific consensus and common sense:
- Puppies receive their full series of core vaccinations starting at 6–8 weeks
- Adults are vaccinated according to AAHA’s current every-three-year schedule
- We work closely with our vet to evaluate lifestyle-specific non-core vaccines
- We don’t over-vaccinate. We don’t under-vaccinate. We stay educated and adapt when the science evolves
Because at the end of the day, we want our Labs to be:
- Protected
- Healthy
- Safe around other dogs
- Ready for anything—from family life to show rings
So Why Talk About This Now?
Because like everything else, dog health is trending during flu season. Media algorithms know we’re all thinking about vaccines. And while the headlines are all about human immunity and flu shots, it’s not a bad time to ask:
“Is my dog up to date on what really matters?”
You don’t need to panic, and you don’t need to rush out tomorrow. But it is a good time to:
- Call your vet
- Check your dog’s records
- Ask smart questions about what’s necessary
- And skip anything unnecessary
A Personal Note From the Whelping Room
I remember one litter in particular—our sweet girl Willow had delivered nine perfect little black beans. They were strong, vocal, and perfectly formed. Around six weeks, I brought them in for their first round of puppy shots.
The vet tech looked up at me and said, “They look fantastic. And if they were mine, I’d follow the 3-year protocol after their 1-year booster.”
That moment stuck with me—not just because it was reassuring, but because it came with honesty over habit. She wasn’t pushing a schedule just because it was standard. She was giving me what every breeder—and every owner—deserves: informed, balanced care.
So Why Talk About This Now?
Because like everything else, dog health is trending during flu season. Media algorithms know we’re all thinking about vaccines. And while the headlines are all about human immunity and flu shots, it’s not a bad time to ask:
“Is my dog up to date on what really matters?”
You don’t need to panic, and you don’t need to rush out tomorrow. But it is a good time to:
- Call your vet
- Check your dog’s records
- Ask smart questions about what’s necessary
- And skip anything unnecessary
A Final Thought: Balance Is Everything
We live in a world that loves extremes. All-in or all-out. But dogs—and their care—require something subtler: balance.
We vaccinate because we want to protect our dogs and the communities they’re part of. But we also want to make thoughtful choices—not just convenient ones. Following current, evidence-based guidelines is one way we do that.
So yes—get vaccinated. But maybe, just maybe, make sure your dog is on the right schedule too.
Because we love our Labs. And because doing right by them means being smart, skeptical, and compassionate—all at once.
—Katy Bazurto & the pack at Bazurto Kennels
