How Much Are Puppy Shots
The cost of shots for puppies will depend on several different factors, including your location. For instance, vets in crowded urban areas tend to charge more than vets in smaller towns and rural areas.
However, the average cost can range from $75 to $100. These include the core vaccines, which are administered in a series of three at the age of six, 12, and 16 weeks. The rabies vaccine usually costs about $15 to $20.
First-year puppy shots are typically more expensive than what youd spend on vaccines for dogs because you need to get them every couple of weeks, as opposed to every one to three years.
When Do Puppies Get Shots
In general, puppies should get their first shots as soon as they are weaned , or around 6 to 8 weeks of age. After that, puppies should receive a series of vaccines every two to four weeks between the ages of 6 and 20 weeks old.
Your vet will determine a safe vaccine schedule for your puppy based on their weight, health, age, etc. Some pet parents prefer getting multiple puppy shots in one vet visit to minimize stress on their pet, whereas others prefer to spread the shots out to reduce possible side effects and soreness talk to your vet to create a safe vaccine schedule that works for you and your puppy.
Rabies depends on local laws but is usually given by the time your dog reaches 3 to 6 months old.
Are There Optional Dog Vaccines
Although puppy vaccines and dog vaccinations are very important to the overall health and wellness of your canine companion, not every puppy or dog needs to be vaccinated against every disease. Some canine vaccinations should only be administered depending upon factors including:
Therefore, it is very important for us to discuss the vaccination protocol that’s right for your canine companion at your next appointment.
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Dog Vaccination Costs Summary
For your dog’s first-year vaccinations, you can expect to pay a low average of $115, a middle average of $170, and a high average of $230. The eventual cost depends on the dog, where you live, and the shots they need.
On average, here’s what your dog’s vaccinations each cost in the first year:
- Leptospirosis: $20$30
- Rabies : $20$30
- Bordetella: $30-50
In your puppy vaccination schedule, there will also be boosterswhich cost about the same as the initial shotsfor some of these vaccines by the time they’re 16 weeks old. A healthy puppy may not need another exam at booster visits, but this depends on the practice and veterinarian’s recommendations, according to Jenna Stregowski, RVT and Daily Paws’ health and behavior editor.
Dogs will undergo their first annual exam as an adult one year after their 16-week checkup, and that may include updates to their core vaccines, Stregowski says.
While some vaccines follow a three-year schedule, others have annual boosters based on either your vet’s recommendations or state law. For example, some states permit a rabies shot every three years, while others require it once a year. A booster for a rabies vaccine costs $35$50.
Scheduling An Appointment For Dog Vaccinations

A puppy vaccination schedule should be established during your first veterinarian visit, which should take place within a week of receiving your new puppy. An adult dog vaccination schedule, which includes periodic booster immunizations, can be scheduled after the puppy vaccination schedule has been completed, or immediately upon welcoming an adolescent or adult dog into your family.
As with any other immunization protocol, a dog vaccination schedule should be adhered to without deviation, in order to ensure your canine companion remains healthy, happy and well for the duration of his or her life. Schedule an appointment for your canine companion to receive their vaccinations today.
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What Vaccines Can I Purchase From Allivet
Allivet carries the best dog vaccinations to keep your pet up-to-date and on-track with their vet-recommended vaccination schedule. Your veterinarian can help you decide on the best vaccines for your dogs age, breed, and history. You can also discuss how often to vaccinate dogs with your trusted vet. Choose Allivet for:
Its easy to order prescriptions and dog vaccinations from Allivet. Simply add the products to your cart, enter your veterinarians information, and check out. Well take care of the rest! Allivet is your trusted source for everything you need to keep your dog happy, safe, and healthy!
Let us know1-877-500-9944We are really good at finding things
Puppy Vaccine Schedule For First
Vaccinating your puppy is one of the most important things youll need to do in your first few weeks as a dog parent. Regular vaccinations will help your puppy grow into a dog that is free of potentially fatal disease that can infect other pets or people.
But what shots do puppies actually need? And when should puppies have all their shots by?
Heres what you need to know about first-year puppy shots:
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Do Puppies Need Booster Vaccinations
Yes. The next vaccination will be at 12 months of age. This will boost your pets protection against the myriad of diseases that can affect them.
At your annual booster appointment, your vet will be able to assess which vaccines your pet needs for the year ahead. The immunity provided by some vaccines can last up to three years, whereas others need topping up every 12 months, so your pet wont require the same vaccinations every year.
When you book your vaccinations with Medivet, talk to us about setting up reminders for when your pets vaccinations are due.
Can You Buy Dog Vaccines Online
In a word YES! Keep in mind, though, that its important to choose a legitimate, safe, and trustworthy online pharmacy.
Allivet is a .Pharmacy Verified Pharmacy. While it might be easy to perform a quick online search and find a place to order medications or vaccines for your pet, you should always make sure youre purchasing from a legitimate, accredited website. The safety of your pet depends on it! The .Pharmacy distinction means that you can trust Allivet to provide you with safe, effective, and certified products. We offer a 30-day price match guarantee, so you can rest assured that youre getting the greatest deal on top-of-the-line pet products. Dog vaccinations dont have to cost as much as you might think!
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The History Of The Vaccine
French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur developed the rabies vaccine in 1885, according to on the topic. He first administered the vaccine to a 9-year-old boy, who fully recovered from rabies after multiple doses of the vaccine.
Today, two different rabies vaccines are available in the United States:
- Imovax, or the HDCV vaccine, made using human cells
- RabAvert, or the PCECV vaccine, made using chicken embryo cells
Both vaccines are considered safe and effective. Theyre also interchangeable, which means you dont have to get the same brand for all your doses.
Below, find answers to seven commonly asked questions about the rabies vaccine, including why its so important and how to tell when you need it.
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.
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How Does The Rabies Vaccine Work For Humans
Getting a rabies vaccine immediately after a bite from an animal that might have rabies can jumpstart your bodys fight against the virus, Dodge says.
The rabies vaccine triggers your immune system to produce antibodies, Dodge explains. These special proteins can recognize foreign invaders, like viruses, and destroy them.
The rabies vaccine may prevent you from getting the virus if you receive it as soon as possible ideally within 1 to 2 days of exposure.
The incubation period for the rabies virus typically ranges from a few days to several months. During the incubation period, you wont experience symptoms because the virus has yet to reach your brain. Once the virus reaches your brain and symptoms develop, the vaccine can no longer offer protection.
FYI
Adults and older children will receive the rabies vaccine in the shoulder muscle, while younger children and babies will receive injections in the thigh muscle.
Does My Dog Really Need All These Vaccinations

We see these diseases from time to time and some types more than others. As vets and owners, if you have experienced any of these cases or outbreaks, and witnessed first-hand the avoidable suffering endured by these poor souls, you tend to support vaccination strongly.
The only way to look at whether an individual needs the various components is to take blood samples to test their present immune status. The manufacturers recommendations are based on data that allows the vast majority of dogs to remain protected. At present, it is probably more unpleasant for your dog to have blood tests and then decide which components to use that year, than getting on and following the recommended vaccinations.
Vaccine reactions are very uncommon, and rarely ever cause lasting harm. On those few occasions, we tend to see puffy faces or more generalised swellings on the skin, which subside within a day or so.
HOWEVER, we must not be complacent, and we will follow any substantiated future advances in vaccination protocols, as we have done so in the past. So watch this space.
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Where Do I Get It
If you think you may have been exposed to rabies, your best option is to head to your nearest emergency room .
Many primary care and urgent care clinics dont administer this vaccine. So, if you make an appointment with your regular doctor and they recommend a rabies vaccine, theyll typically send you to the ER anyway.
If you want to get the vaccine as a preventive measure, you can make an appointment at some pharmacies, including certain CVS and Walgreens locations.
When Does My Puppy Need To Have Their Vaccinations
Puppy vaccinations are most effective when they are given at fixed dates with boosters. Your puppy will usually begin a vaccination programme at around six to eight weeks of age.
A regular vaccination schedule will likely consist of the following:
- 7 to 9 weeks: distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, although this may start earlier if the puppy is in an infected environment.
- 11 to 13 weeks: booster for 3 previous vaccinations + rabies and leptospirosis.
- 15 to 17 weeks: rabies and leptospirosis boosters.
- 15 months: boosters for all vaccines above.
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Is There Anything Else I Should Be Aware Of
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.
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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.
Everything You Must Know About Vaccinating Your Dog
Dog vaccinations play a critical role in protecting your dog from many dangerous and even fatal diseases. While state law requires all dogs are vaccinated for rabies, there are a number of other vaccinations that can protect your dog from serious diseases that are easily preventable.
At 4 Paws Veterinary Care we have spent years educating people about the benefits of dog vaccinations. This includes what vaccines are necessary and how they should be scheduled. Over the years we have been asked every question possible about dog vaccinations and we have compiled some of the most frequently asked ones for you here. This is only meant to be a general introduction dog vaccinations. At your dog’s next veterinary appointment, we will be happy to help you understand the vaccination recommendations for your dog.
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Rabies Vaccinations For Dogs And Cats Are Required By Law
Does Pet Insurance Help

It depends on the policyand you’ll have to really crunch the numbers. Pet insurance is certainly an option for emergency or surgical coverage, but unless the policy has a specific wellness planwhich might be available for a higher monthly premiumit’s unlikely to cover vaccination costs. It might be more attainable to simply create a separate savings account for pet healthcare expenses.
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What Is An Appropriate Schedule For Puppy Vaccinations
The vaccinations given depend on the age of the puppy. An 8-week-old puppy would just receive its DAPP vaccine only. At 12 weeks, we would repeat the DAPP vaccine and may also give leptospirosis and/or bordetella. At 16 weeks, your puppy would be given DAPP, Rabies, and a leptospirosis booster if given previously.
Why Is It Important To Have My Dog Vaccinated
Many canine diseases spread rapidly and if your dog has not been vaccinated, they are not protected, and therefore extremely vulnerable. This is true whether you live in the an urban or rural area, and whether your dog socializes with other animals or you use dog boarding facilities.
Diseases like Parvovirus and Canine Distemper are not only potentially fatal, they are also highly infectious and widespread. If you have an unvaccinated dog, they risk not only of contracting disease and getting ill themselves, but also passing on diseases to more vulnerable animals, such as puppies, older dogs and dogs with compromised immune systems.
The cost of dog vaccination is far lower compared to the cost of treatment if your unvaccinated dog gets ill .
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What Should My Puppy Be Vaccinated Against
The mandatory vaccinations include:
- Distemper: This can take several forms, which often makes diagnosis difficult. In general it can cause high temperature, respiratory problems , digestive problems , ocular, cutaneous or nervous problems, and may often be fatal.
- Canine hepatitis: The symptoms range from slight fever and congestion of the mucosa membrane to vomiting, jaundice, stomach enlargement, depression, reduction of white blood cells, pain in the liver and severe hepititis.
- Canine parvovirus disease: Parvovirus is highly contagious and attacks the gastrointestinal system, creates loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and often severe, bloody diarrhoea. Extreme dehydration can come on rapidly and can be fatal within 48 – 72 hours.
- Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease which comes from bacteria transmitted by rodent urine, and can be transmitted to humans and certain animals. For dogs, symptoms include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, severe weakness and lethargy, stiffness, jaundice, muscle pain, infertility and kidney failure .
The recommended vaccinations include:
Creating A Vaccination Plan
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