At What Age Should I Bring In My Puppy For Their Vaccinations
At 8 weeks of age, your puppy will receive their first dose of the distemper complex, which includes vaccines for distemper, adenovirus , parainfluenza, parvo and leptospirosis. This vaccine is usually given by the breeder or rescue before you adopt your new puppy.
At 12 weeks of age, your puppy will receive a booster of the original distemper complex in order to boost their immunity to these dangerous diseases. They will also get their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at this time. This is usually your puppys first time meeting your own veterinarian and will be an exciting visit for everyone.
Lastly, at 16 weeks of age, your puppy will receive their last booster of the original distemper complex, their second dose of the coronavirus, and will now get the rabies vaccine. During this visit, you may also opt to get your puppy the Bordetella and Lyme vaccines as well, based on the puppys lifestyle and exposure risk. This decision will be based on a discussion with your veterinarian during your appointment.
What Are Dog Vaccines And Why Are They Important
Vaccines help prepare a dog’s immune system to defend itself from any invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which mimic disease-causing organisms in a dog’s immune system, but don’t actually cause disease. The purpose of puppy vaccines and dog vaccines is to mildly stimulate the immune system by having it recognize the antigens present. This way, if a dog becomes exposed to the real disease, it’s immune system will recognize it, and therefore be prepared to fight it off, or at the least reduce its effects.
General Vaccine Schedule For Dogs
Vaccinating your dog takes more than a single trip to the veterinarian for one shot of medicinal products. Dogs have a vaccination schedule, and they wont be fully vaccinated and protected long-term from disease-causing microbes unless you adhere to it.
The typical dog vaccination schedule is as follows:
- 6 to 8 Weeks: Distemper and parvovirus with an option for Bordetella
- 10 to 12 Weeks: DHPP with an option for Bordetella and Lyme disease
- 16 to 18 Weeks: DHPP with an option for Bordetella and Lyme disease
- 12 to 16 Months: DHPP with an option for Bordetella and Lyme disease
In most cases, a veterinarian will administer core vaccines every two to four weeks. The schedule will help boost a dogs immune system and offer optimal protection against severe sicknesses well into adulthood.
Recommended Reading: Cvs Pharmacy Tdap
When To Start Puppy Vaccinations
In general, a puppy should start vaccines as soon as you get the puppy and then every three weeks until approximately four months of age when it will receive the final round. Generally, if the puppy’s mother has a healthy immune system, it will most likely receive antibodies in the mother’s milk while nursing. After a puppy has been weaned off of the mother’s milk, vaccinations should begin.
When Should My Puppy Be Vaccinated
There are many fatal diseases that can affect dogs. Fortunately, your veterinarian has the ability to prevent several of these by vaccinating your puppy. In order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of timely injections. Ideally, they are given at about 6 to 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age, but the recommended vaccines and schedule of injections may vary depending on your pet’s individual needs.
“The core vaccination schedule will protect your puppy from several common diseases…”
The core vaccination schedule will protect your puppy from several common diseases: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies. The first three are generally included in one injection that is given at 6 to 8, 12, and 16 weeks old. Some puppies will receive and additional booster vaccination at 20 weeks of age. Rabies vaccine is given at 12 to 16 weeks of age. Other optional vaccinations are appropriate in certain situations. These may include Bordetella, Lyme, and Leptospirosis vaccines if there are risks of those particular diseases based on your geographic location and your family’s lifestyle. Your veterinarian will help you determine which vaccines are recommended for your pet based off of your lifestyle.
You May Like: Cheapest Shingles Shot
Vaccinations For Adult Dogs: Boosters And Titers
There is a difference of opinion about having your adult dog vaccinated every year. Some vets believe too many vaccinations in adult dogs pose health risks. But others disagree, saying that yearly vaccinations will prevent dangerous diseases such as distemper. Talk with your vet to determine what kind of vaccination protocol works for you and your dog.
Many dog owners opt for titer tests before they administer annual vaccinations. Titer tests measure a dogs immunity levels, and this can determine which, if any, vaccinations are necessary. One key exception to this is rabies: a titer test is not an option when it comes to the rabies vaccine. This vaccination is required by law across the United States. Your vet can tell you the schedule for your particular state.
And its all worth it. For your effort and care your puppy will lavish you with lifelong love in return. This critical first year of her life is a fun and exciting time for both of you. As she grows physically, the wonderful bond between you will grow, too.
Dont miss crucial information when it comes to raising your puppy. Get personalized training, nutritional, veterinary, and everyday advice sent straight to your inbox. , a weekly email newsletter with customized content based on your puppys breed and age.
If A Vaccine Is Considered To Be Noncore Why Does My Puppy Need That
A good vet will ask the pup owner, “If you owned a boat, would you want boat insurance?” The answer to that question is or at least should be a resounding, “Yes!” So if you don’t have exposure to those diseases, then, of course, they’re not essential. The non-core vaccines in the dog depend on the area in which you live. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that’s transmitted in urine from rats, squirrels, possums, raccoons, cattle, pigs, sheep, and other domestic species. Although most consider lepto to be a non-core vaccine, many cats are exposed to these kinds of animals, whether in the city or in more rural areas, so it’s highly advised. The most commonly used lepto vaccine has 4 strains of it in it, and there are probably 6 varieties that are relatively commonly diagnosed. Some of those affect man and some don’t affect man, but they all affect dogs.
Don’t Miss: Cvs Tdap Shot
How Many Vaccines Will My Puppy Need
Determining which dog vaccines are absolutely necessary will vary depending on where you live and your dogs lifestyle. The American Animal Hospital Association has established a set of canine vaccination guidelines that vet practices use to outline which vaccines dogs should receive. Some are core vaccines, which should be given to all dogs, while others are needed in certain environments or for dogs routinely involved in certain activities.
Gone are the days of one size fits all vaccines,Kathryn Primm, DVM, of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee, says. If your veterinary team is not asking you about your pets lifestyle, make sure you explain. There are core vaccines recommended by the AAHA guidelines that every pet needs, but there are many that are great for some and less indicated for others.
We follow the AAHA guidelines pretty much to the letter, Primm says. But we tailor them to the individual. For example, we ask questions about the pets life. A Chihuahua that is carried in an owners purse has different needs than a bluetick hound that travels the country to camp with his family.
Vaccination Schedule For Puppies
Penny Paws | June 6, 2022
As a pet owner, nothing warms your heart more than seeing your puppy happy and healthy. The first step in ensuring that your pup lives a good life is making sure theyre vaccinated. In the first year of your puppys life, they are especially vulnerable to dangerous infectious diseases. Pet vaccinations strengthen your puppys immune system and minimize the effects of illnesses if your pup becomes infected.
In the first few weeks of a puppys life, maternal antibodies offer some protection against viral diseases. The mothers antibodies are quite potent, but they are also temporary. The antibodies slowly start to disappear from the puppys bloodstream and are completely gone when it reaches 16 weeks of age.
When vaccinating your puppy, its essential to get the timing right because the mothers antibodies can interfere with the vaccines ability to take to your puppys immune system.
Recommended Reading: Tdap Vaccine Cvs Pharmacy
Symptoms Of Parvo In Puppies
Even if you take all the essential puppy walking precautions, your puppy may still come into contact with the virus. Sometimes, it can take a few days after the initial contraction for puppies to start exhibiting serious symptoms of Parvo. Therefore, you should call your vet anytime your puppy feels under the weather, just to be safe.
Symptoms of the parvovirus include:
- Bloody diarrhea
When Can My Puppy Go Outside After Vaccination
Youve brought home your new furry bundle of joy, taken him for his first health check and possibly his first or second round of vaccinations. Everything is new and you may have questions when it comes to puppy vaccinations a very common one being when can my puppy go outside after vaccination?
Bringing home a new puppy is can be a really exciting time for the whole family. Theres a lot you will need to adjust to, as well as new routines to digest and appointments to keep.
Youre probably keen to show off your new addition to friends and family, and have him join you on outdoor adventures but its important to know when its safe for your puppy to go outside and what the risks are.
Don’t Miss: Tdap Vaccine At Cvs
Visit Penny Paws Animal Clinic For Your Pets Vaccinations
Late puppy vaccinations can compromise your pets immune system. If you havent started your puppys vaccination process or have missed a scheduled vaccine booster, its important to get your puppy on a vaccination schedule. If your puppy is late or overdue for vaccinations, talk to a vet as soon as possible.
Here at Penny Paws Animal Clinic, our vets have years of experience formulating a healthy vaccination schedule for dogs and cats. Contact us today to book a pet vaccination appointment at Penny Paws Animal Clinic.
Which Dog Vaccines Are Essential
When you discuss shots for puppies with a vet, you’ll learn about many different vaccines, some of which are important and essential, while others are optional. Also, talk to the vet about your cost concerns, because some may work within your budget.
The below diseases are what most puppies are usually vaccinated for:
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica
- Rabies
Read Also: Cost Of Tdap At Cvs
Why Does My Puppy Need More Than One Vaccination
When the puppy nurses its mother, it receives a temporary form of immunity through the colostrum, the milk that is produced in the first days after delivery of the puppies. Colostrum contains high levels of maternal antibodies that can provide passive protection against diseases that the mother has been exposed to, either naturally or by vaccination. This passive immunity is of benefit during the first few weeks of the puppy’s life, but at some point, its levels decline and the puppy must be able to develop its own active long-lasting immunity. Vaccinations are used to provide this long-lasting protection.
As long as the mother’s antibodies are present, vaccinations are unable to stimulate the puppy’s immune system because the mother’s antibodies neutralize the vaccine.
Many factors determine when the puppy will be able to respond to vaccinations. These include the level of immunity in the mother at the time of birth, how many antibodies the nursing puppy absorbed, and the general health of the puppy. Since it is unknown when an individual puppy will lose its short-term maternal immunity, a series of vaccinations are given. The goal is for at least two of these to fall into the time frame when the puppy has lost immunity from its mother but has not yet been exposed to disease. A single vaccination, even if effective, is not likely to stimulate long-term immunity, which is critically important.
When Can Puppies Go Outside
Bringing your new puppy home is an exciting time for the whole family but when can puppies go outside? Youll no doubt be excited to show them off to friends and family and head out for adventures with your new best friend. After all, you want everyone to love your new pooch as much as you.
While its important to socialise your puppy and get them used to their environment, you dont want to put their health at risk. By taking the right precautions, you can ensure that your pup stays happy and healthy while not putting the vital puppy socialisation time at risk.
In our latest Scrumbles post, we discuss when its safe for your puppies to go outside, when can you take your new pup for a walk and why its important to take it slow.
Also Check: Tdap Shots Cvs
How Much Will Vaccinations Cost
Your puppys initial set of vaccines will cost between £30 and £60, but this is far less than the cost of treating the diseases themselves. It will also save your dog from pain, discomfort and even death, and means that you and your family will be spared the stress of coping with a seriously ill pet. Regular booster vaccines will cost less than the initial vaccinations.
If you are on benefits and live in an area covered by Blue Cross, you may also be eligible for help with veterinary care. Click here to find out more about our veterinary services.
Page last updated 17/01/2022
Puppy And Dog Vaccinations
- Vaccinations protect pets from diseases that remain a high risk and can kill
- Puppies will need to be vaccinated against the killer infections from six to nine weeks of age
- They will then be protected against parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis and adenovirus 1 and 2
- If you do not know if your pet has been vaccinated, it does not hurt to repeat the course
- Some booster injections are needed annually, with others required up to three years apart
Recommended Reading: Pertussis Vaccine Cvs
What Should I Do After My Puppy’s Had Their Injections
Its important that you keep your puppy well rested after their injections as their immune system will be working harder than normal.
If you feel theyre not back to their normal selves within 24 hours, contact your vet for advice.
Its crucial you make sure you have the right vaccination schedule in place for your new puppy, as dog vaccination is one of the most important preventative healthcare measures you can take. As soon as you bring your new puppy home, it’s vital that you speak to your vet and to ensure they have the right vaccinations at the right time.
- Puppyhood
How Soon Should I Get My Dog Vaccinated
I always tell people, when you get your puppy, which is usually around seven to eight weeks, we want to start vaccinating because puppies are unable to mount a long-term immune response until they’re about four months old. Just regardless of what age you get them, a puppy should be vaccinated every three weeks until they’re four months of age, which is the time when they’re able to mount a long-term immune response.
Otherwise, most dogs are going to need something once a year. And some boarding facilities require Bordetella every six months, and those dogs may need to be vaccinated for six months if they’re frequently boarding.
You May Like: Where To Get Tdap Vaccine Cvs
Vaccinatable Conditions Of Dogs
The core vs. non-core category of each vaccine is provided below for guidance, but the situation can be different for every dog and every situation. Your veterinarian is your best resource for helping to determine which vaccines your new pup would benefit from, and when. They are the only ones who have the medical training and understanding, as well as the first-hand knowledge of your dog and home/environmental situation necessary to best guide you.
Not all vaccines can completely prevent infection and disease, but even if they dont completely prevent infection, they will at least minimize the effects of infection and often shorten the course of the infection.
Note that some of the vaccinatable conditions of dogs listed below can be zoonotic, meaning that they can also infect and cause disease in people.
Jumpstart Your Puppys Immune System
In their first year of life, puppies will need to visit their veterinarian numerous times to get vaccinated for and become immunized against potentially fatal, yet preventable infectious diseases. The worst of these are Distemper and Parvo.
The timing and interval between booster vaccinations is critical to ensure your puppy is protected, as their mothers antibodies can interfere with a vaccinations ability to mount your puppys own immune response. Thus, puppies need a series of vaccinations to allow their immune system to break through waning maternal antibody.
Don’t Miss: Tdap Shot At Cvs
What Is Titer Testing And Is It Effective
Titer testing is a way of checking whether your dog has antibodies for distemper or parvovirus. As dogs age and they’ve been vaccinated thoroughly through puppyhood and at their one-year appointment, some dogs can mount a long-term immune response. Some dog owners don’t want to vaccinate them in these cases, or there’s occasionally a medical reason we don’t want to. However, we want to make sure that those dogs have adequate titers, meaning that they can respond if they were exposed.
And that’s the purpose of doing annual titers on dogs who are not being vaccinated, because if they do Diplo, then we’re going to have another conversation about the importance of keeping them up on those vaccines because those diseases are terrible.