When is the best time for a puppy vaccination? What vaccines should you get? That depends heavily on the laws of your state, but there are still some standard puppy immunizations. Additionally, most puppies begin receiving vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks of age with regular boosters in the following months. The exact schedule of the shots depends on the law of the area and the type of puppy vaccination.
Vaccine Recommendations for Puppies
Just like humans need vaccinations to remain protected against certain diseases, your puppy is going to need to same type of shots to stay healthy. Many dogs need to get these vaccines while they are puppies in order to ward off the diseases for life, so if you have just got yourself a special furry friend, then you need to look into what shots it needs.
When to Take Your Puppy in for Shots
If a puppy is breastfeeding from its mom, then it will gain certain immunities from the mother’s milk. However, as they are slowly weaned off, those protections wear off, and they require immunizations. You should take your pup to a veterinarian at six weeks to get its first shot. From there, your vet will recommend how often you should bring your dog in for follow-up shots.
Core Puppy Vaccines
There are four core vaccines:
- Canine Distemper: an airborne virus that can trigger permanent brain damage.
- Canine Parvo: a contagious fatal virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
- Canine Adenovirus: canine hepatitis that leads to liver damage and death.
- Rabies: a fatal disease with no treatment other than prevention.
All of these vaccines are required by law and/or recommended by veterinarians. With the exception of rabies, they can be administered to 6-8 week old puppies with two additional boosters every four weeks. The rabies shot lasts either one or three years and can be administered as early as 12 weeks. However, some vets prefer to wait until 4 to 6 months of age.
Non-Core Vaccines
In addition to the core vaccines, there are a host of other immunizations available that are not usually required by law. They include:
- Measles
- Parainfluenza
- Bordetella
- Adenovirus
- Influenza
- Lyme Disease
- Leptospirosis
- Crotalus Atrox
- Coronavirus
Vets do not recommend most of these unless your dog has a unique set of exposures. The Lyme Disease vaccination is recommended for dogs at risk for ticks. Bordetella or kennel cough may be prudent for show dogs or those who spend time in kennels. Additionally, if you pet has a high exposure to rodents or stagnant water, the leptospirosis shot s recommended. Non-core vaccines come in combination with other shots, so ask your vet about piggybacked immunizations before proceeding.
Contact Your Veterinarian
Vaccines will help ensure that your pup remains healthy for years to come. You should never neglect to give your dog the necessary protections it needs against completely preventable diseases, so bring your dog to the vet to see what it needs. You should follow the vaccine recommendations given to you by your vet.
If you are unsure about what shots to get, this guide should offer some insight. For more personalized recommendations, contact your vet and ask what is best for your situation. Remember that a puppy vaccination is important to long term health.