Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and joyful experience.

As you embark on this journey with your furry friend, one of the most important responsibilities you have as a pet owner is ensuring their health and well-being. Central to this is understanding the crucial role that vaccinations play in safeguarding your puppy against potentially harmful diseases.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the significance of vaccinations for your puppy’s health, outline the specific vaccines, what diseases they prevent, if this disease is contagious to you the owner, and provide you with a vaccination schedule to follow.

By arming yourself with knowledge and taking proactive steps, you can ensure that your puppy stays protected and enjoys a long, happy life by your side.

Understanding the Importance of Puppy Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential for puppies as they help prevent the onset of various contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

By stimulating the puppy’s immune system to produce antibodies against specific pathogens, vaccines equip them with the necessary defenses to fight off infections. Vaccines help to ward off infection, however, even if vaccinated they can get sick from these diseases.

Vaccinated puppies that get ill will have a much less severe sickness and a greatly increased chance of recovery. Vaccination not only protects the individual puppy but also contributes to the overall health of the canine population by reducing the spread of disease.

Key Vaccines for Your Puppy: Core and Non-Core

Several core vaccines are recommended for all puppies, regardless of their breed or lifestyle.

Rabies Vaccine:

Essential for preventing rabies, a fatal viral disease that can be transmitted to mammals (humans included) through a bite with infected saliva. There is no treatment for rabies; it has a fatality rate of over 99% in all mammals. 

A current rabies vaccine is generally required by law in most states and towns. 

• Initial vaccine (dogs <16wks): generally not given prior to 16wk. However, the vaccine is labeled for puppies 12wk and older. It is common to vaccinate puppies 12 weeks and older for rabies in a shelter program.  If your puppy came from a shelter, they may have gotten this vaccine earlier than your regular private practice veterinarian recommends.
• Initial vaccine (dogs >16wks): Usually given at 4 months of age in private practices
• Revaccinations needed: Can be boostered every 1-3 years, depending on state or local legislation.

Canine Distemper Vaccine:

Protects against a highly contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Distemper, a multi-systemic disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, is incurable and often fatal. 

Spread through droplets from sneezing or coughing, it is prevalent worldwide and was 

previously a leading cause of death in unvaccinated dogs. With a mortality rate ranging from 50-80%, even recovered dogs can serve as carriers of the virus. Humans cannot contract canine distemper. 

• Initial vaccine (dogs <16wks): Administer at least three doses of a combination vaccine to puppies aged between 6 and 16 weeks. Most veterinarians vaccinate at intervals of 2-4 weeks between each vaccine.
• Initial vaccine (dogs >16wks): 2 doses of a combination vaccine, 2-4 weeks apart.
• Revaccinations needed: A single dose of a combination vaccine within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series. All subsequent boosters are generally given at intervals of every 3 years after this.

Canine Parvovirus Vaccine:

Guards against parvovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms and can be fatal, especially in puppies. This virus attacks the rapidly dividing cells of the intestinal tract leading to inflammation and poor absorption of nutrients. This disease is not transmissible to humans.

With very aggressive care and early treatment, parvo has roughly a 80-90% survivability. However, this aggressive treatment can cost $3,000-$5,000 dollars and require multiple days in the hospital for your puppy. Boarding facilities, grooming facilities and most training programs will require this vaccines. 

• Initial vaccine (dogs <16wks): Administer at least three doses of a combination vaccine to puppies aged between 6 and 16 weeks. Most veterinarians vaccinate at intervals of 2-4 weeks between each vaccine.
• Initial vaccine (dogs >16wks): 2 doses of a combination vaccine, 2-4 weeks apart.
• Revaccinations needed: A single dose of a combination vaccine within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series. All subsequent boosters are generally given at intervals of every 3 years after this.

Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis) Vaccine:

Provides immunity against canine adenovirus type 1, which can cause liver disease, as well as canine adenovirus type 2, which is associated with respiratory infections. 

While many dogs can recuperate from this illness with standard supportive treatment, certain cases may escalate to severe pneumonia, posing a risk of fatality. Consequently, boarding and grooming facilities frequently mandate this vaccination.

• Initial vaccine (dogs <16wks): Administer at least three doses of a combination vaccine to puppies aged between 6 and 16 weeks. Most veterinarians vaccinate at intervals of 2-4 weeks between each vaccine.
• Initial vaccine (dogs >16wks): 2 doses of a combination vaccine, 2-4 weeks apart.
• Revaccinations needed: A single dose of a combination vaccine within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series. All subsequent boosters are generally given at intervals of every 3 years after this.

Canine Parainfluenza Vaccine:

Targets parainfluenza virus, a common cause of respiratory infections in dogs. Most dogs can recover from this disease with just normal supportive care, however some dogs can develop severe pneumonia from it and this can lead to death. Boarding facilities and grooming facilities often require this vaccine. 

• Initial vaccine (dogs <16wks): Administer at least three doses of a combination vaccine to puppies aged between 6 and 16 weeks. Most veterinarians vaccinate at intervals of 2-4 weeks between each vaccine.
• Initial vaccine (dogs >16wks): 2 doses of a combination vaccine, 2-4 weeks apart.
• Revaccinations needed: A single dose of a combination vaccine within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series. All subsequent boosters are generally given at intervals of every 3 years after this.

Non-Core Vaccines for Puppies

Not all dogs need these vaccines. Owners should carefully weigh the need for these following vaccines based on factors such as your puppy’s lifestyle, geographic location, and risk of exposure to specific pathogens.

Leptospirosis Vaccine:

This disease is caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called leptospires. Dogs can get infected by coming into contact with the urine of another infected animal. This is usually in standing water (pools, puddles), mud or vegetation. Humans can get leptospirosis as well, also from contact with infected urine. 

Leptospirosis is survivable if treated early and aggressively; roughly 80% of infected animals can survive if treated. 

• Initial vaccine (dogs <16wks): Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, starting at about 12 weeks of age.
• Initial vaccine (dogs >16wks): Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, regardless of the dog’s age
• Revaccinations needed: Given yearly after initial vaccines. The first annual booster should be given within 364 days of the initial vaccine set.

Lyme Vaccine:

Lyme disease is also caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria, but this one is called Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne illness in the world. An infected tick must attach to your dog for >24-48 while taking a blood meal. The ticks infected saliva enters your dog’s blood stream and causes the infection. 

Signs of this disease can be vague: shifting lameness in different legs, swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, loss of appetite. Most dogs respond to treatment, but chronic reoccurence can occur. Tick prevention (with topicals and/or oral medication) is also key to preventing your new pup from getting this disease. 

• Initial vaccine (dogs <16wks): Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, starting at about 12 weeks of age.
• Initial vaccine (dogs >16wks): Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, regardless of the dog’s age
• Revaccinations needed: Given yearly after initial vaccines. The first annual booster should be given within 364 days of the initial vaccine set.

Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough):

This is usually a mild and self-limiting disease in dogs, however it is highly contagious. The great news is that humans are not susceptible to this disease. 

Generally any dog that is going to be around large groups of other dogs (dogs in shelters, doggy day care, grooming facilities, boarding facilities)  is recommended to get this vaccine. Many dog-related companies require this.

• Initial vaccine (regardless of age): 
  • Injectable: Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart.
  • Live intranasal: Administer a single dose intranasally.
  • Oral: Administer a single dose into the cheek pouch.
• Revaccinations needed: Annually, although some daycares and groomers require it every 6 months. 

Canine Influenza Virus (H3N8/H3N2):

Also known as the “dog flu”, this is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection in dogs. This is not transmissible to humans. Symptoms of this illness in dogs include coughing, a runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and decreased appetite; however, not all dogs will exhibit these signs. The severity of canine flu can vary greatly, from no symptoms to severe illness, including pneumonia and, in some cases, death.

Typically, most dogs will recover within 2 to 3 weeks. Nonetheless, there’s a risk of secondary bacterial infections developing in some dogs, potentially leading to more severe illness and pneumonia.

• Initial vaccine (regardless of age): Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart
• Revaccinations needed: Given yearly after initial vaccines. The first annual booster should be given within 364 days of the initial vaccine set.

Croatia atrox (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake):

A snake bite is a serious injury that can cause major damage or even death in dogs. Any snake bite is always an emergency. This vaccine boosts your dog’s natural antibodies to hopefully help decrease the amount of expensive treatment they need after a bite and increase their chance at survival. This vaccine is geared only for Western Diamondback bites, however cross-protectivity has been seen with other snake species. Most of the time, the snake species that bit is unknown. 

• Dosing: The need for and frequency of administration of this vaccine will vary among dogs. Vaccine dosing is dependent on body weight and exposure risk. In general, most dogs are not at risk, therefore do not need this vaccine.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

The vaccination schedule for puppies typically begins at around 6 to 8 weeks of age and continues at regular intervals until they reach around 16 weeks of age. It’s important to adhere to this schedule to ensure that your puppy develops adequate immunity during their vulnerable early months. Booster shots may be required to maintain immunity levels throughout your dog’s life.

Here’s a basic outline of a typical puppy vaccination schedule:

6-8 Weeks: First round of core vaccinations, including distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus.

10-12 Weeks: Second round of core vaccinations, booster shots for previously administered vaccines, and additional vaccines as recommended by your veterinarian (lepto, lyme, etc…).

14-16 Weeks: Final round of core vaccinations (usually a rabies vaccine is given at this time) and any additional vaccines deemed necessary.

Regular booster shots are typically required every 1-3 years, depending on the specific vaccine and your veterinarian’s recommendations.

Consult Your Veterinarian

While this guide provides a general overview of puppy vaccinations, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian for personalized recommendations tailored to your puppy’s individual needs. Your veterinarian will assess factors such as your puppy’s health status, lifestyle, and risk factors to create a vaccination plan that best suits them.

By prioritizing your puppy’s vaccinations and working closely with your veterinarian, you can provide them with the protection they need to thrive and enjoy a happy, healthy life by your side. Investing in their health through vaccinations is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your furry friend, ensuring many years of companionship and joy together.

Remember, a healthy puppy is a happy puppy – and a cherished member of your family.

Key Takeaways: 

• Giving your puppy vaccines helps prevent them from getting sick (or lessen the degree of sickness) with dangerous diseases that other dogs can pass on to them.
• There are some shots every puppy needs, like ones for rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. Others are only needed based on your puppy’s daily life. 
• Puppies need their first shots when they’re about 6-8 weeks old. They’ll need more shots every few weeks until they’re about 16 weeks old to make sure they’re fully protected.
• Your vet is a great resource to help you decide which vaccines your puppy needs .
• After your puppy’s first shots, they’ll need booster shots to keep them protected. Your vet will tell you when they need their next shots to keep them protected.

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