Why Get Your Dog Vaccinated
Just like vaccines that have been designed for people, dog vaccinations help to protect your pet against a host of serious diseases that could threaten the life of your dog.
We know that getting your dog vaccinated every year may seem like an unnecessary expense at the time, but your dog’s shots are likely to cost far less than treatment for the illnesses vaccines protect against.
When Can My Puppy Go Out In The Garden
Letting your puppy out in the garden is important for toilet training establishing good routines early will make the process a lot quicker in the long run. That said, you may be wondering when can my puppy go out in the garden?
Even though its important to wait until your pups immunity has been built up before you take him out in public, you may be okay to let your puppy roam your own private garden as long as a few conditions are met.
First, its important to wait until after your pup has had his first round of vaccinations, even before letting them out in your garden. This is because your garden still poses a risk other animals such as foxes can carry disease that can be passed on to dogs. Although the first round of vaccinations alone wont completely protect them from risk, it gives their immune system a boost. Most owners weigh the risk of infectious diseases from their garden against the risk of left-too-late toilet training if in doubt youre best to consult your vet.
Its important to make sure that no unvaccinated dogs have been in your garden in the past before letting your pup out. Remember that Canine Parvovirus has been known to live in soil for as long as a year. If youre unsure, wait until after your puppy is fully vaccinated.
What Age Do Puppies Get Their Jags
Puppies need two initial sets of vaccinations one round at eight weeks of age and another at ten. Your vet will be able to advise you on the best timings of puppy vaccinations its best to take along all of your pets paperwork that you received from his breeder at the time of purchase. This will detail your pups exact age and whether any vaccinations were performed by the breeder.
Bear in mind that after the initial round of puppy vaccinations your pet will need a booster jag at 6 or 12 months of age.
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The Importance Of Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a key element of your dog’s preventive health care. By taking your dog in for his/her shots early in life, then regularly as they move through adulthood, you give your furry friend the very best chance of living a long and healthy life.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Is it time for your dog’s annual vaccinations? Contact New England Veterinary Center & Cancer Care today to book a vaccine appointment for your four-legged friend.
Patients
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.
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How Can You Save Money On Puppy Shots
One way to save money on puppy vaccines is by visiting a low-cost vaccination clinic. These clinics typically offer packages that combine a bundle of vaccinations into a lower price point, but also offer individual options if your dog is due for a specific vaccine.
Another way to save money on puppy shots is by purchasing a pet wellness plan through a pet insurance provider. In addition to vaccines, wellness plans also cover routine and preventive care services such as annual wellness exams, spaying/neutering, routine dental care, microchipping, etc. Pawlicy Advisor can help you compare pet insurance policies and wellness plans from top US pet insurance providers to find the best coverage based on your puppys particular needs and concerns.
When Puppies Need To Be Vaccinated
Puppies are typically vaccinated at eight and ten weeks with the second dose usually being given two to four weeks later. Speak to your vet about the best timings.
Your puppy will then require a booster vaccination at 6 or 12 months. As your puppy grows into an adult dog it’s important to ensure you visit the vet and keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date.
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How Do I Socialize My Puppy Before Vaccinations
Many new owners know the importance of socializing puppies from an early age. Teaching good doggy manners is crucial to ensure your pup grows up to be a well-adjusted adult that plays nice with other dogs and isnt fearful or aggressive. With that said, you may be wondering how this can be achieved without the risk of exposing your pup to viruses how do I socialize my puppy before vaccinations?
The magic window of dog socialization starts to close after around 14 weeks of age, so its important to get in as much experience of other dogs and animals as early as possible. In recent years puppy socialization classes have started popping up places you can take your pup to meet other young dogs and their owners. Your vet may recommend these to you when you take your pup in for his first health check.
Because puppy socialization classes only allow young dogs who havent had the chance to be infected by viruses, it is generally safe to let your pup mix and mingle as long as they have had their first round of jags. Ask your vet if you are at all unsure or need advice about puppy socialization classes.
Why Does My Dog Need To Be Revaccinated
In most properly vaccinated dogs, the immunity should last more than a year, and often several years. However, immunity does decline with time and this decline rate varies with individuals. To maintain the best protection against infectious diseases, revaccinations have proven very successful.
“Immunity does decline with time and this decline rate varies with individuals.”
As vaccines are improved over time, some do not need to be given as often, depending on individual circumstances. Most dogs with low-risk lifestyles can be vaccinated every three years with the core vaccines and as needed for any non-core vaccines . Your veterinarian will discuss the need and frequency of booster vaccinations for your dog based on your dogs needs and lifestyle.
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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.
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:
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When Do Puppies Need Booster Shots
Abstaining from booster shots can put your puppy at risk. However, not all vaccines require yearly boosters.
- DHPP vaccine booster: every two weeks for a total of three sets, then every three years
- Lepto, Canine influenza, and Lyme disease vaccine booster: one month after the initial series, then annually
- Bordetella booster: 1 year
- Rabies booster: every 1 to 3 years after the initial round, depending on state laws
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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Puppy Shots & How They Work
As with human vaccines, dog vaccinations are designed to prevent your dog from becoming sick. Vaccinations provide limited or permanent immunity from infectious and deadly diseases that can affect your dogs quality of life, and your human familys health as well.
Vaccines are effective because they contain infectious agents designed to mimic microorganisms that cause diseases. Once injected into the body, the agent stimulates the dogs immune system. The puppys body sees the agent as a threat, attacks it, and then remembers it so it can fight the disease off in the future if exposed to it.
It can take around seven days for a puppys body to respond to a vaccine and develop immunity, and it is best to have your dog vaccinated when she is healthy. A sick puppys immune system is compromised and less effective in developing immunity to microorganisms. Vaccines are not cures for diseases, but a means to prevent them.
Once you have your puppy vaccinated, you will need to keep her vaccinations updated. That way, your puppy will remain healthy as she grows and develops into an adult. As such, you should take your puppy to a veterinarian for a yearly checkup and to begin and then retain a vaccination program. The types and number of vaccinations your dog will receive depend on the puppys age, habits, environment, medical background, and lifestyle.
Petsmart Bordetella Vaccination Reviews
My dogs were vaccinated at PetSmart. They got the kennel cough vaccine, one of them was a puppy and they both had the shots they needed. Their staff was very nice and helpful. They have a nice selection of products too. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a veterinarian in their area.
My vet told me to get it at PetSmart. It was cheaper plus I already had a coupon. The girl behind the counter went over the signs and symptoms of kennel cough with me which was helpful. She also explained that the vaccine isnt 100% effective but its definitely better than nothing. We decided to go ahead and get the vaccine for my dog, Lucy.
I have a small dog and she has been getting the Bordetella vaccine for 7 years every year. She has never gotten kennel cough. This is a common disease that dogs get if they are boarded or visit a pet park. The cost of this vaccine is $30 at PetSmart, since my dog was not due for a Rabies shot this year I only had to pay the cost of the vaccine plus the vet visit and it took less than 10 minutes at PetSmart to get it done.
We highly recommend this vaccine and all the ones we get at PetSmart. Our dog is very healthy and happy and weve never had any issues since we started taking him to PetSmart. We get flea medicine, his shots, and treats there as well. Plus they have good prices on all of it!
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What Are C3 C4 C5 C6 And C7
Often, veterinarians give vaccinations for certain viruses or diseases at the same time. Its good for a puppys owner to know the abbreviations for those vaccinations and know why some are combined in assigned ways.
- C3 = Parvovirus, distemper and infectious hepatitis .
- C4 = C3 + Parainfluenza virus vaccine.
- C5 = C3 + Parainfluenza virus & Bordetella virus vaccines.
- C6 = C4 + Leptospirosis & Coronavirus vaccines
- C7 = C5 + Leptospirosis + Coronavirus vaccines
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
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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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.
What Are The Core Dog Vaccinations
Core puppy vaccinations and dog vaccinations are considered vital to all canines based on a universal risk of exposure, the severity of disease, and the risk of transmission to other dogs, as well as other animal species including human beings.
The American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Task Force considers the following dog vaccinations to be core:
- Canine Parvovirus
Although these vaccines are not considered Core, they are very important for most dogs who may be exposed to these infectious diseases. At your dog’s next appointment, we will be happy to review which of the above make the most sense for your dog and make the appropriate recommendations.
Rabies vaccinations are required by law in most states, including NY. Owners must periodically have their dogs and puppies vaccinated against rabies, but the specific time frames for puppy vaccinations and dog vaccinations vary by state. In NY, puppy rabies vaccine is generally given between 12-16 weeks , and the rabies vaccination is good for one year. For adult dogs, the rabies vaccination is good for three years and should be addressed at the time of the first visit for new patients. For example, a puppy would receive the rabies vaccine at 16 weeks, 1 year and then again at age 4.
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What Is The Fastest Way To Cure Kennel Cough
The good news about kennel cough is that its rarely fatal, and most dogs recover in one to three weeks. In the meantime, however, your dog may be miserable from all that coughing, and of course, may also spread it to other dogs. If your dog comes down with kennel cough, you can help him recover faster by treating him at home.
Clean water: Make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times. He will need plenty of fluids to keep his body strong enough to fight off the infection. If this is an issue with your dog, you can try adding a little bit of chicken or beef broth to his food. The salty taste will encourage him to drink more water.
Chicken and rice: Feed your dog some bland food like boiled chicken and rice, cottage cheese or scrambled eggs. This will settle his stomach and give his body the nutrients he needs to fight off the infection. After a few days, he should be able to start eating normally again.
Cough suppressants: Cough suppressants are used to temporarily alleviate the symptoms of a cough. But because they dont address the underlying cause, they should only be used for a short time.
Antibiotics: If your dog is diagnosed with infectious tracheobronchitis or kennel cough, antibiotics can help speed up recovery. Your vet may prescribe either an oral or injectable antibiotic depending on the severity of the case. In some cases, antibiotics may not be needed at all.