Bringing a puppy home must be overwhelming for many of us. You are happy and excited to have a pet, but at the same time, you should feel that you are responsible for this puppy’s wellbeing.
One of the many questions we receive in our pet shop is regarding the vaccinations that puppies should get in order to be safe and healthy.
This blog is especially for you if you have been wondering how to make sure that your puppy has received all their needed vaccines.
It is generally said that puppies are to receive their vaccinations when they become 6 to 8 weeks old. If you ever decide to bring a puppy home, make sure you get their medical record as well in order to be familiarized with their history and make arrangements with their vet accordingly.
It is recommended by some veterinarians to give the first vaccine to your puppy at 6 weeks old and then give them booster shots after 3 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age.
However, this is debatable because other vets recommend starting vaccines later than 6 weeks old and using booster shots less frequently.
Before going through the important vaccinations listed in this blog, it is important to note that deciding on the series of vaccines for each dog might differ depending on different situations. This is why it is important to always ask for a professional opinion and seek advice from a vet.
Some of the factors that are determinant in the series of vaccines needed for your puppy are:
- Their medical record and that of their nursing mothers
- The duration which they were nursed
- The environment they were raised in
- Their age
- The number of puppies they were raised with
- The country/region they come from
- The anticipated lifestyle (would they go on hikes with you? Will they go to dog daycare? Will they stay in your garden? What will their diet consist of?)
Before we share with you the list of vaccinations, it is important for you to distinguish between core and non-core vaccines
- Core Vaccines: these are vaccines against some of the most infectious diseases that dogs get. They are easily spread between dogs (or even humans) and this is why getting their vaccines is crucial for any dog no matter what. These include Distemper, Parvo, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, and Rabies.
- Non-core vaccines: These are vaccines that are not necessarily needed by all dogs because they are less severe and not spread easily. These include Lepto, Lyme disease, Influenza (“Dog Flu”), Kennel Cough, and Parainfluenza.
6-8 weeks
- DA2P (a.k.a. “Parvo” or “Distemper shot”) — core
- Bordetella (a.k.a. “Kennel Cough”) — non-core
- Canine Influenza Virus (a.k.a. “Dog Flu”) — non-core
Following these vaccines, if your dog does not show any side effects, they can:
- Meet other puppies (given that they are vaccinated and healthy)
- Go to parks or walk on streets (why did you highlight parks?)
9-12 weeks
- DA2P (a.k.a. “Parvo” or “Distemper shot”) — core
- Bordetella (a.k.a. “Kennel Cough”) — non-core
- Canine Influenza Virus (a.k.a. “Dog Flu”) — non-core
Following these vaccines, if your dog does not show any side effects, they can:
- Play with other puppies (given that they are vaccinated and healthy)
- Avoid sidewalks and parks if they are not cleaned
12-16 weeks
- DA2P (a.k.a. “Parvo” or “Distemper shot”) — core
- Bordetella (a.k.a. “Kennel Cough”) — non-core
- Canine Influenza Virus (a.k.a. “Dog Flu”) — non-core
- Rabies — core
- Lyme disease — non-core
- leptospirosis — non-core
Following these vaccines, if your dog does not show any side effects, they can:
- Play (toys) with other puppies (even if they are unknown)
- Go to sidewalks and parks with more comfort
15-17 weeks
- DA2P booster — core
- Lepto booster — non-core
- Lyme booster — non-core
Following these vaccines, if your dog does not show any side effects, they can:
Finally, be free and do whatever they want!
Getting your puppy vaccinated is extremely important especially because they are at high risk of being infected with various diseases. For your own safety and theirs, make sure to book appointments for check-up with the nearest vet.
Also, finishing the vaccination schedule at 17 weeks is sometimes not enough as some puppies require additional boosters throughout their entire lives.
The series of shots used for puppies varies from one dog to another. This is why you should always make sure that you are following vaccinations that suit your dog and their lifestyles.
We hope that this blog was informational.
Please share with us your thoughts and your questions if you have any in the comment section!
