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
Is The Bordetella Vaccine Necessary
Kennel cough is highly contagious. If your dog goes to dog parks, boarding facilities, dog daycare, or attends training classes or dog shows, then he is at risk for contracting kennel cough. Many of these facilities require dogs to come with proof of the Bordetella vaccination before they are allowed on the premises, so it is in your dogs best interest for his health and extracurricular activities to get the vaccine. If your dog stays in the house and is rarely around other dogs, talk to your veterinarian about whether or not she believes your dog is at risk of contracting kennel cough.
Why Is It Important To Properly Vaccinate Your Puppy
We want your puppy to live a long and healthy life, preventative medicine is instrumental in ensuring the best quality of life. Vaccines are proven to be effective in preventing aggressive and deadly illnesses. Puppies, like babies, do not have strong immune systems, leaving them susceptible to aggressive and even deadly diseases. It is important that puppies receive their entire set of booster vaccinations so that they are adequately protected. It is much easier and more cost effective to regularly vaccinate than to treat a preventable disease. If your puppy will frequent places like grooming, boarding, daycare facilities or dog parks, they are at higher risk of contracting an illness. Boarding facilities and groomers often require their patients to be vaccinated.
Also Check: When Are Teachers Getting The Vaccine
How Many Times A Year Does My Dog Need Vaccination
In general, most dogs should have an update of some vaccines once a year. Some boarding facilities require bordetella every six months, so we may need to see you mid-year. But for the most part, once a year is adequate for most dogs. And even some of the vaccines, we can extend the time a little bit after a year. Rabies can go to three years in some states, and I think its annual in other states. Its crucial to check in with your veterinarian once a year and make sure you’re up-to-date on all your vaccines.
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
Also Check: How Much Does The Hpv Vaccine Cost Without Insurance
Puppy Shots Dont Last For Life
When a puppy is finished with their initial puppy shot series, theyre not completely done with vaccines. Booster vaccinations will be needed throughout your dogs life. The frequency and types of vaccine boosters your dog will need throughout their life is influenced by their lifestyle, where you live and travel to with them, how common certain diseases are in your area and at different times of year, and a host of other factors.
For some dogs and for some conditions, titers may help to determine vaccination intervals and may be preferable. This is a discussion to have with your vet.
What If I Rehomed My Puppy From A Charity Or Animal Home
If you adopt a puppy or dog from us, we’ll have already given them initial vaccinations. That’s one of the reasons we charge an adoption fee when we rehome an animal. You should still register with your vet, and talk to them about additional vaccines in the future.
Start your search for a puppy today or take a look at our puppy buying guide for advice on getting a healthy, happy puppy from a breeder. When you’re ready to bring your pup home, we have lots of great tips about the puppy buying process to help you welcome your new pup to the family, and you can also learn more about caring for your puppy.
Don’t Miss: What Religions Are Against Vaccinations
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.
How Much Do Puppy Vaccines Cost
Vaccines are just one of the expenses youll be paying for within your puppys first year of life, and beyond. To help you budget your dog care costs, you can talk with your veterinarian ahead of time to get a better understanding of vaccine prices.
Overall, the cost of puppy vaccines can vary based on factors such as your location, veterinarian practice, the type of vaccine, etc. A single vaccine may range in price from $15 to $50. For your initial round of puppy shots, however, you may be able to receive a single price for all required vaccines and some veterinarians may bundle in the cost of an examination, deworming, or other services.
Don’t Miss: Where To Go To Get Vaccines
Do I Really Need To Avoid Allowing My Puppy To Socialize With Other Dogs Until They Are Fully Vaccinated
This is such a misconception that bothers me because it’s so crucial for puppies to begin socializing at eight weeks of age. I tell people your dog doesn’t have their complete set of vaccines, but the dog is vaccinated the second or within days after getting its first set of vaccines. Puppies have immunity from their mom while they’re nursing. And once they’re done nursing with their mom, we want to start the vaccines so that they can have small doses of vaccine that would allow them to start building up a long-term immune response.
But in the meantime, they are vaccinated. So they can go to safe places like puppy classes and places where they can socialize with other young dogs and puppies. Dogs need to get out early on, and we don’t want that to be why they dont. They are vaccinated. They just are unable to mount the long-term immune response until they’re four months of age.
How Should You Prepare Your Puppy For Its First Vaccination Visit
We want your puppy to be comfortable at the Morinville Veterinary Clinic. These are a few ways to ensure their visit goes smoothly: always bring your puppy in on a leash or in a carrier. Please bring any previous medical history including the type of food you are currently feeding. If your puppy is anxious or doesnt travel well, withhold feeding right before their visit. Take your puppy to our green space before entering the clinic, let them relieve themselves before entering the building. Positive reinforcement works wonders, give your puppy lots of praise and/or treats while in the clinic, so that they associate the veterinary visit as a positive experience.
You May Like: How Can I Clean My Laptop From Viruses For Free
Can There Be Any Variations In The Puppy And Dog Vaccine Schedules
For the most part, every puppy needs the core vaccines every three weeks until they’re four months, and then the rabies vaccine some time between three and four months. That’s pretty standard, but some dogs are going to be exposed to different things. If your dog is boarding a lot or going to daycare, we highly recommend the flu vaccine for dogs as well because it’s transmitted via aerosol. Bordatella is not considered a core vaccine, but it is essential if your dog is out and about. Then there’s leptospirosis, which is another essential vaccine. It depends on the dogs lifestyle.
Bow Valley Schedule Of Deworming:

2 1/2 weeks old Strongid t
4 weeks old Strongid T
5 1/2weeks old Safeguard
7 1/2 weeks old Safeguard
Please talk to your vet about a yearly deworming schedule based on where you live. We recommend using ONLY Revolution for topical Tick and Flea as well as heart worm prevention and Internally use Interceptor plus every couple of months. Advantix 2 is also a safe one. Strongid t is good for the winter months.
Dogs need protection from Heartworm , Fleas, and depending on where you live, Ticks, for 6 to 9months of year . Depending on which heartworm medication you choose , your pup may also need monthly deworming . Please discuss the appropriate options for protecting your pup from these pests.
We deworm all our pups at 2, 4, 5 1/2-6 and 7 1/5-8 weeks of age before they go home to their families. We use Strongid t from our vet at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age. At 6 weeks weuse Safeguard for three consecutive days which is used to treat ROUNDWORMS, HOOKWORMS, WHIP & TAPEWORMS, & GIARDIA. Safeguard is Fenbendazole 10% 100 mg per ml and also known as Panacur. You can order it online or get it from your vet. Our routine here is to use Safeguard a couple of times a year. We also use Revolution during the summer months. We know of other breeders that like Bravecto as its good for 3 months to prevent tick/fleas. Please discuss the appropriate options forprotecting your pup from these pests.
Recommended Reading: Does Humana Medicare Cover Tdap Vaccine
Why Should I Vaccinate My Puppy
Vaccinations are essential in order to protect your puppy from contagious and potentially fatal diseases. Reduce the risk of contracting these diseases by ensuring your puppy is up to date with their vaccinations now.
Your puppy can be exposed to many common but preventable diseases that exist in the environment. Some of these can pass between dogs. Whilst these diseases can be successfully treated, many are very serious and potentially fatal despite the best treatment. It is necessary to build your dogs immunity when they are young by ensuring they have and complete their vaccination program.
How Much Do Puppy Vaccinations Cost
This will depend on the vet practice you attend. Theres no fixed price for puppy vaccinations.
We recommend our Pet Health Club. You can keep your dog fully vaccinated against Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Canine Distemper, Hepatitis and Kennel Cough, all year every year for just £16.60 per month!
This includes your puppys primary vaccine course, their monthly flea& worm treatment, plus regular health checks with your vet & much more.
Read Also: Is There A Hep B Vaccine
How Old Does A Puppy Have To Be To Get A Rabies Vaccine
Rabies does not currently occur in the UK, so your puppy will only need a Rabies vaccination if you plan to take them abroad or if youre buying them from another country.
Your puppy must have been microchipped before they can receive a Rabies vaccination. Most Rabies vaccinations wont be administered when your puppy is younger than 12 weeks old.
Read more:Pet passports: what you need to know before taking your pet overseas.
What Disease Are Covered In Puppy Shots
Vaccinations routinely given to pups cover the following diseases Distemper, Heptatitis, Parvovirus , Leptospirosis and Parinfluenza and Bordetella .
Distemper and Hepatitis are viruses that were very common before vaccination of puppies became routine. The diseases are serious and very often fatal, however are rarely seen any more due to high levels of vaccination.
Parvovirus is unfortunately still seen in Ireland and the UK and there have been some recent outbreaks in Ireland. As the name suggests it is a disease caused by a virus and as such vaccination is extremely effective to prevent your dog catching the disease. Dogs with parvovirus develop a severe bloody diarrhoea, often with vomiting, and the disease can take 5-7 days before the dog can start recovering. Many dogs do not make it in spite of intensive hospital treatment. Parvovirus is still prevelant due to some puppies not getting correct vaccinations and also as the virus can survive in the environment for a long time.
Also Check: How Long Is Meningitis Vaccine Effective
How Do Vaccinations Impact The Health And Well
I’ll tell you a little story. Back when I first got out of veterinary school, parvovirus was sort of new. We had a parvo ward in the hospital that I worked in my first year out of school, and it was full of animals who were credibly ill. Think of the Ebola virus. That’s what it’s like for dogs. When they get parvo, they’re extremely sick. And at the beginning, we didn’t even know how to treat it. It took a while to get good at doing that.
The vaccines’ purpose is to ensure that your dogs don’t experience parvo, rabies, or distemper, which is another fatal disease. A lot of puppies can be exposed early on if they’re not vaccinated. These diseases are horrible for your pets to go through, and they’re entirely preventable.
Who Can Administer The Rabies Vaccine
Whether a veterinary nurse can administer rabies vaccine to animals depends on individual state regulations. The Veterinary Practice Act in your state will indicate which member of the veterinary team is allowed to administer the vaccine. For example, the authors home state of Idaho allows a credentialed veterinary technician to legally administer rabies vaccines under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Direct supervision is defined as having the veterinary supervisor on the premises and easily available. Some states, however, require that only a licensed veterinarian can perform the vaccination. FIGURE 1 shows state requirements on a map, and avma.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/State-Rabies-Vaccination-Laws-Chart.pdf shows them in chart form with additional information.
Figure 1. Who can administer rabies vaccine, by U.S. state.
Don’t Miss: What Vaccine Is Kroger Giving
Why Is The Same Amount Of Vaccine Given To A Small Dog And A Large Dog
Vaccination doses are the same for all dogs, regardless of size. When these vaccines are tested, all dogs in the test group receive the same dose of vaccine and have been proven safe for dogs of all sizes at the recommended dosage. Smaller doses of vaccine may not adequately protect small pets. In addition, there is no evidence that smaller doses of vaccinations are associated with a decreased likelihood of vaccine reactions.
Side Effects And Risks Associated With Dog Vaccinations

The benefits of vaccinations far outweigh any risks. Adverse reactions to dog vaccines are rare. However, as with any medication or immunization protocol, puppy vaccinations and dog vaccinations can cause some side effects. We do recommend that you have your puppy or dog vaccinated at time when when you can monitor them after the vaccination.
If your dog does experience any reaction to vaccinations, symptoms may include:
- Facial or paw swelling and/or hives
- Pain or swelling around the injection site
- Collapse, difficulty breathing, and seizures
Just as with human vaccines, mild symptoms can be ignored. The majority of reactions are mild and short lived. If you suspect a more severe reaction to puppy vaccines or dog vaccines, such as facial swelling, vomiting or lethargy, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Don’t Miss: Where To Get Menacwy Vaccine
Which Vaccines Do Adult Dogs Need
Adult dogs need their core vaccines in addition to any noncore vaccines decided upon between you and your veterinarian. A dog vaccination schedule for an adult dog may look like this:
Frequency |
---|
No 3-year noncore vaccines are available at this time. |
Ultimately, your veterinarian will determine how long a vaccine will work for your pet.
If they are overdue or it is their first time getting a vaccine, your vet may recommend a booster vaccine or an annual schedule in order to assure appropriate protection for your pet.
How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost
Vaccines are recommended by veterinarians based on a pups breed, age, health, lifestyle and medical history, as well as whether your dog lives or travels to states known for specific diseases. The price of inoculations will, therefore, depend on which core and non-core shots are required.
Most shelter and rescue groups include vaccinations in their adoption fee so that a newly adopted dog or puppy is ready to get off to a healthy start in their new home. Below is an estimate of dog vaccination costs to give you an idea of what to expect when discussing your puppy shot schedule with your veterinarian.
You May Like: What Is Rabies Vaccine For Dogs