When Can You Vaccinate A Puppy

Are Vaccinations Required By Law

The only vaccine that is required by law is rabies. And that is because it is a zoonotic disease for humans, and it can be fatal for humans if they contract rabies. We do want all dogs and cats vaccinated for rabies. Some states require both dogs and cats to vaccinate. Some states disregard dogs, but all dogs and cats should be vaccinated for rabies because it’s contracted from many different wildlife forms. In California, we have bats that can transmit rabies to dogs and cats. In many other places, a lot of mammals can carry rabies. It’s an important disease to vaccinate against.

What Vaccines A 912 Week Puppy Might Get:

• CORE: DA2P Combination shot protecting against Distemper, Adenovirus , and “Parvo.” This vaccine may be administered as a DA2PP, which is the same thing, but also includes protection against Parainfluenza .
• NON-CORE: Bordetella The initial vaccine can be given at this age if necessary or desired, depending on the type of vaccine used .
• NON-CORE: Canine Influenza Virus There are two different canine flu vaccines available, each protecting against a different strain of dog flu. If this is the first dose of this vaccine your pup is receiving, they will need a booster in 24 or 3 weeks later, depending on which vaccine they are receiving, for the best protection.

Where your puppy can usually go and what they can usually do after this 912 week vaccine visit:

• Start puppy classes: If a puppy hasnt yet begun their puppy socialization classes, they can do so after receiving their vaccines during this time period.
• Play with known dogs:A puppy can continue to meet other KNOWN and healthy puppies and adult dogs.
• Avoid: Sidewalks, parks, pet stores, daycare, and other areas/settings popular with other unknown dogs should be avoided.

• Socialization visits: A quick socialization visit to the groomer should be OK, so long as the shop is kept clean and there arent or havent been any sick dogs there recently. Shopping malls and home improvement stores can be great places to socialize your puppy without excessive risk of contagious dog diseases.

Can I Bring My Puppy Around Other Pets Before They Are Fully Vaccinated

If the dogs are not ill, that’s a huge advantage. Regardless, however, there is a certain amount of risk associated with doing that until the series is done plus a week or two. Because we give the shot and that stimulates the immune system to say, “Okay, we need to build defenses.” And it’s not quite convinced until the second shot, in most cases, and then it takes a while for the body to actually build up immunity. It’s not like we give the shot and we have immediate immunity. So it’s safest to do it a week or two after they’ve finished their entire vaccine series for a particular disease. Of course, we also understand that puppies are social beings and that you will likely want to get them into training classes, too, so if you’re going to bring your puppy around other dogs before being fully vaccinated, just make sure the other dogs are vaccinated and that you’re doing so in a safe environment that’s not frequented by other dogs.

Keep in mind that body mass is also a factor. If you come in with a two-pound Chihuahua, we’re not going to give distemper and rabies and parvo and lepto and Lyme and influenzawe can’t go ahead and give all of those vaccines because it’s just going to be too much and it will overwhelm for the immune system. In cases like that, we’ll have you bring your pet back more frequently to stagger the vaccinations, giving them once every 2 weeks instead of every 4 weeks. It may take longer, but it’s safest for your tiny pet this way!

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How Often You Should Get Your Dog Vaccinated

The most important thing about dog vaccination frequency is that it varies depending on the vaccine.

So, if youre trying to figure out how many shots your dog needs and how often he needs them, make sure you talk to your vet.

With the DA2P vaccine, for example, youre going to get your puppy a dose of the vaccine once every three weeks until hes 16 to 18 weeks old, according to Dr. Lyon.

The reason for that is because of maternal antibodies, Dr. Lyon explained. The most important dose that the dog gets is that 16 weeks of age dose. The reason thats probably the most important dose is because thats when we can comfortably assume that … the protection that the dog got from its mother has actually gone away, and is no longer eating up the vaccine that were giving.

So that final dose during the puppy stage given around the 16- to 18-week mark is the one thats actually going to provide the immunity to distemper, adenovirus 2 and parvovirus.

From there, youre going to need specific instructions from your vet about how often your dog should be getting his boosters to maintain that immunity.

And those instructions are going to be different depending on exactly which vaccine your pup is getting, so you cant just assume that the process is the same across the board.

What Types Of Puppy Vaccinations Are Needed

Puppy vaccinations are divided into two different types: core and non-core. The core vaccines are recommended for all dogs, where non-core is recommended on a dog-by-dog basis and will be depending on their levels of risk. Your vet will be able to advise you on which vaccinations theyll think your dog needs.

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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.

Vaccination Risks And Should You Do It

Generally, studies show and most vets consider vaccinations to be safe for healthy dogs, and the basic core vaccines protect against far more serious diseases compared to side effects of vaccines. In short, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

Moreover, vaccines not only protect your dog, but also the community: they prevent the spread of viruses from your pet to other pets and, in zoonotic cases, even humans.

A good vet will walk you through potential risks and side effects of canine vaccines before injecting your puppy. Post-vaccination, if you notice any change in your dog or at the site of the vaccine, contact your veterinarian immediately.

There are ways that you can reduce the risks of your dog having a negative reaction to a vaccine. This will depend on each individual situation, so discuss it with your vet. Sticking to a proper puppy shot schedule will further reduce the risks.

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Why Are Puppy Shots A Series Why Is The Timing Important

Every puppy is different. A puppy who was one in a litter of 3 puppies may have been able to suckle more colostrum from Mom, than a puppy that was one in a litter of 13.

Although if the Mom of the litter of 3 wasnt well vaccinated herself, or she didnt produce good milk or do a good job of nursing her pups, then it may not necessarily be the case.

Similarly, some puppies are born with deficiencies in their immune system, or their immune system may develop more slowly because of dietary or other factors. So we never 100% know a pups starting immune status, how well they are initially protected by maternal immunity, or how well their immune system will respond to the vaccines we’re administering.

So to provide the best level of protection to the greatest number of puppies in the greatest number of situations, the puppy shots are administered as a series of “initial shots” and “booster shots” over the course of the first several months of their life. This gives their maternal immunity time to wane while their own immune system is fully developing in response to and conjunction with their “shots.”

Is There Anything Else I Should Be Aware Of

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Puppy Shots: Vaccines Your Puppy Needs And When

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The places your new puppy is allowed to go, and the other pups and people they can meet along the way is influenced, in part, by what vaccines theyve had. So, we’ve put together this overview of the “shots” that puppies should have during their first several months of life and the why and when.

Take a peek and discuss with your veterinarian to ensure that your pup is as protected as they can be from the conditions that can sicken or cause them harm.

How Do I Know The Vaccinations For My Puppy

Speak to your vet and tell them where your puppy will be spending time. This could include:

• Boarding kennels
• The woods
• Day care

Also let your vet know whether youll be travelling outside of the country with your puppy, and any activities they may be participating in, such as dog shows or sporting events.

Your vet will then put in place a vaccination programme best suited to the needs of your puppy.

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Can Pets Have Adverse Reactions To Vaccines

Dogs can have adverse reactions to canine vaccinations, medications, and even natural vitamins/supplements. These incidents are rare, but because they do occur, it is important to monitor your pet after their vaccine appointment.

It is common for animal vaccines to cause mild reactions, including discomfort or swelling at the injection site. Dogs may also develop a mild fever or have decreased energy and appetite for the day. If any of these signs persist for longer than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian.

More serious side effects can occur within minutes to hours of the vaccination. Seek veterinary care immediately if your pet develops vomiting and diarrhea, swelling of the muzzle around the face or neck, coughing or difficulty breathing, or itchy skin with hives.

These reactions are much less common, but can be life-threatening. Before your veterinarian administers any animal vaccines, alert them if your pet has had a reaction in the past.

Basic Vaccine Schedule For Dogs

Vaccines are a vital part of your dogs veterinary care routine, but figuring out which ones they needand when they need themcan get confusing. And when you add in core vs. noncore vaccines , it can get even more complicated.

When you get those vaccination reminder cards from your vets office, you see a list of dog vaccines that your pet is due for. To help you decipher them and understand how often your pet needs which shots, here is a basic dog vaccination schedule chart to follow.

Since understanding your pets vaccination needs is important to providing them with the best care, why not take minute to learn the basics of dog vaccinations and their schedules.

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When Is It Safe For My Puppy To Go Outside Do I Need To Wait Until After Their Primary Vaccine Course

Ideally, yes. You should only take your puppy out for walks once theyre fully vaccinated and your vet has given you the go-ahead.

Of course, before theyve been vaccinated, you can still let them out into the garden to do their business and maybe carry your puppy out into the street to greet friends or relatives.

The important thing is not to let your puppy come into contact with other pets or where other dogs have been until theyre fully protected, this will help eliminate the risk of viral disease.

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A Typical Puppy Vaccination Schedule:

• First vaccination: 6 to 8 weeks DHP
• Second vaccination: 9 to 11 weeks DHP
• Third vaccination: 12 to 15 weeks DHP
• Fourth vaccination: 16 to 20 weeks DHP
• Booster DHP: 1 year of age or 12 months after the last puppy shot, then as recommended
• Rabies vaccination: typically required by law at 3-6 months of age with a booster 12 months later, then a booster every 1-3 years.
• Bordetella, Parainfluenza, and Canine Influenza recommended for social dogs .
• Lyme or Leptospirosis: May be recommended by your veterinarian if you live in or travel with your dog to an area where these are endemic.

What shots do puppies need?

Core puppy shots/vaccinations include DHP/DAP and Rabies while non-core vaccinations include Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Canine Influenza and Lyme Disease.

How often do puppies need shots?

How often your puppy needs shots will depend on the advice of your veterinarian. A typical puppy vaccination schedule is their first vaccination at 6-8 weeks for DHP. Second vaccine at 9-11 weeks for DHP. Third vaccine at 12-15 weeks for DHP. Fourth vaccine at 16-20 weeks for DHP. Booster for DHP at one year then as recommended. Rabies vaccine at 3-6 months with a booster after a year then every one to three years. Bordetella/Parainfluenza and Canine Influenza for social dogs.

At what age do puppies get shots?

The age your puppy gets shots will depend on the advice of your veterinarian. A vaccination schedule can start as early as 6-8 weeks of age.

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Setting Up A Puppy Shot Schedule

The puppy shot schedule will be designed after several veterinary checkups during your puppy’s first year. Your veterinarian will explain the different types of puppy shots that will be on the schedule, best times to get these vaccines, and perform a general health checkup on your puppy.

While the regulations for canine vaccination can differ by country and U.S. state, the general accepted guidelines in the United States for vaccinating dogs are below.

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.

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How Long Is A Dog’s Rabies Vaccine Good For

If you live in the UK with your dog/puppy, theyll only need to be vaccinated against Rabies if youre taking them abroad. If this is the case, your pet will need their Rabies vaccine at least 21 days before you return home.

In countries where Rabies is still a threat, the Rabies vaccination is classed as one of the core vaccines. This means its given as part of the primary vaccine course and yearly boosters.

At What Age Should I Start Walking My Puppy

Understanding your puppy’s timeline for susceptibility to parvo and vaccination schedule is essential to protecting them. If you’re wondering, “At what age should I start walking my puppy?” here’s what you need to know:

• If the mother has been fully vaccinated against Parvo, her puppies will have her antibodies for their first few weeks of life.
• Puppies are at the greatest risk for parvo between the ages of 6 weeks to 6 months.
• Puppies can receive their parvo vaccinations at 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. They must receive a full series of vaccinations to ensure complete immunity.
• Puppies require a parvo booster vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age.

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What Are The Side Effects And Adverse Reactions To Vaccines

Some owners choose not to vaccinate their puppies because they believe the dog may suffer adverse reactions of dangerous side effects. While it is possible for puppies and dogs to react after a vaccination, it rarely results in damage or death. Most post-vaccination reactions are minor and typically occur within a few hours of the injection. Those reactions may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Breathing difficulties
• Sensitivity in the vaccinated area

Unusual reactions a puppy may have after vaccination are haemolytic anemia and reproductive system issues. In rare cases, granulomas may form in the body. These kinds of reactions are unlikely to happen to your dog, and even if they do, these side effects are mild in comparison to potentially exposing your puppy to dangerous and deadly diseases.