As a responsible pet owner, you’re probably wondering how much a dog vaccination costs to keep your dog healthy and safe from a long list of dog vaccinations.
And you’re not just dealing with the cost of the shot. Visiting a high-priced veterinary clinic vs. a low-cost one can result in a wide range of additional costs. When it comes to determining how much money you’ll have to spend on your dog’s vaccinations, this information will be invaluable.
We spoke with Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinary surgeon, and consultant for Five Barks, and Dr. Aliya McCullough, a veterinarian for Fetch by The Dodo pet insurance, to break down the costs of dog vaccines.
How Much Does a Dog Vaccination Cost?
Dog vaccination costs aren’t cheap, and there isn’t a set price for them. If you want to keep your dog safe, there are a lot of variables to consider. Dr. Simon said that the price of a vaccine is “dependent on a number of factors.” Costs are dependent on the brand and the company that supplies it.
Veterinarian Dr. McCullough tells The Dodo that the price of a dog vaccination typically includes the cost of the vaccine, a physical exam, and sometimes a small medical waste fee.”
Since there are so many variables, you can’t always expect to pay the average price for vaccinating your dog based on a rough estimate. Dr. Simon explained that the price of each vaccine is different. An average cost of about $80 is charged for the core vaccines such as parvovirus and distemper each year.
Vaccinations are usually given during an adult dog’s annual exam, which can also raise the price of a vaccination. “Your dog should only be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. A vaccination appointment is a great opportunity to check your dog’s health and weight, Dr. Simon said. Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether your pet is healthy enough to receive a vaccination and will explain which vaccinations are recommended and why. ‘
There are times when you don’t need to take your dog to an animal hospital to administer his vaccines. Low-cost clinics (by a certified vet) can actually lower the cost of these procedures.
Veterinarian Dr. McCullough explained that “low-cost clinics can offer less expensive vaccinations due to the fact that their business expenses are often paid through donations or because they are able to balance those costs by seeing more pets.”
Making room in your budget to protect your dog from serious disease is absolutely worth it, and could save you a lot of money (or even heartbreak) in the long run.
In the end, the cost of treating a serious disease that is prevented by a vaccine is far greater than the cost of a vaccine, according to Dr. Simon. As a matter of fact, infectious diseases like this one can cause serious illness or even death in dogs.
Consider a pet insurance plan to help cover the costs of your dog’s vaccinations and other veterinary expenses, such as emergency vet visits, when planning your pet care budget. However, this option is usually only available as an add-on to your primary plan.
There are many pet insurance options out there, but if you’re looking for the most comprehensive coverage available in the United States and Canada, look no further than Fetch.
Core vaccines for dogs
Regardless of where a dog lives, he or she should be vaccinated against certain diseases. These vaccines are referred to as “core vaccines,” and veterinarians believe that every dog should receive them in order to guard against diseases that are common, contagious, and potentially deadly.
Core vaccines include:
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Adenovirus 2
- Parvovirus
A rabies vaccine is required in many jurisdictions because the disease is so dangerous. rabies is fatal, inescapable, and can be transmitted to humans, so it’s a good reason.
Combination vaccines for distemper, adenovirus 2, and parvovirus are frequently given together (aka the DA2P vaccine).
How much does the rabies vaccine cost?
The cost of the rabies vaccine for dogs can fluctuate, as it does with all other vaccinations. Dr. Simon estimates that the rabies vaccine can cost anywhere from $15 to $40.
The cost of the vaccine can vary greatly depending on where you get your dog vaccinated, and you may also be required to pay an exam fee if you go to a veterinarian. According to Dr. Simon, “some low-cost or charity clinics may even provide this essential vaccine for free. “An additional fee may be incurred while at the veterinarian’s office.”
How much does the DA2P vaccine cost?
Although the cost of the DA2P vaccine varies from place to place, administering each vaccine individually is usually more costly. It is common practice to administer a single vaccine to children to protect them against distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus, according to Dr. Simon. Finally, “if we compare to purchasing each vaccine individually, this will save the owner money.””
The cost of the DA2P vaccine will vary, just like any other vaccine. Dr. Simon estimated the cost of the DA2P vaccine at $25 to $50.
Combination vaccines are less expensive for you, but they’re also less stressful for your dog, who only has to deal with one injection site instead of five. The DA2PP (commonly referred to as “distemper” or “distemper-parvo”) is a great combination vaccine, according to Dr. McCullough, because it protects your dog from multiple viruses in one shot and lowers the risk of serious illness significantly.
Non-core vaccines for dogs
In order to avoid unnecessary vaccinations for dogs, some vaccines are categorized as non-core, meaning they only apply to specific areas or situations.
Non-core vaccines include:
– Bordetella bronchiseptica
– Canine parainfluenza
– Leptospira
– Lyme disease
– Canine influenza virus H3N8
– Canine influenza virus H3N2
– Rattlesnake vaccine
Because these vaccines aren’t core, they’re no less important. It simply means that you should speak with your dog’s veterinarian about which options are best for him. This will protect your dog when he needs it and save you money on a vaccine that you don’t need. Pet parents can get advice from veterinarians on which lifestyle vaccines their dog needs, according to Dr. McCullough, based on their dog’s activities, the places they live and visit, and any special health requirements.
If you don’t plan on bringing your veterinarian to a daycare center or a boarding kennel, you may save a lot of money by forgoing the bordetella vaccine. Because the vaccine costs between $30 and $40, “many owners choose not to get [the bordetella] vaccine,” Dr. Simon said.
To be honest, the cost might be worth it if you’re taking your dog somewhere where he’ll be in close quarters with many other dogs. Even though it is not required, some daycares and kennels insist that all dogs entering their facilities be vaccinated against bordetella. This is due to the ease with which the disease can be spread in such settings.
This non-core vaccine should be given to dogs who attend dog daycare, participate in agility or dog shows, or are exposed to a lot of other dogs, Dr. Simon said in an interview. Although Bordetella will not kill your dog, it can cause them to cough for a few weeks.
So once you know which vaccines your dog needs, you can get a better idea of how much it will cost to keep him or her safe. As a result, that peace of mind is priceless.
