One of the most essential things you can do as a pet parent is to get your puppy vaccinated. Vaccines protect dogs against dangerous infections including parvovirus, distemper, and rabies, as well as a host of other medical problems. How old should a puppy be before being vaccinated, and what shots does it need?
It is necessary to have your puppy vaccinated before they reach full size since several important vaccinations are given at a young age. The illnesses you’re trying to protect against may be particularly devastating for pups, especially those of smaller breeds. Get advice from your vet on how to care for your new puppy’s health from the get-go.
When do pups need their immunizations, and what are they?
All the standard vaccinations for pups, as well as some of the ones you may give your dog if you choose, will be discussed here. To what extent do puppies require vaccinations? If you want to know more, read on!
Vaccination Schedule for Puppies
There are a few things to keep an eye on after getting a new puppy to ensure its healthy development. Adhering to a puppy immunization schedule can help ensure that your new addition is protected against illnesses that may have a devastating impact on a young animal. Distemper, parvovirus, DHPP, and rabies vaccinations are all part of this program. Your veterinarian may also suggest puppy vaccinations that are not required.
Distemper (6-8 weeks)
Canine distemper is a contagious viral illness that may impair your dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. The effects of distemper are often lethal. Since distemper is extremely infectious, it’s crucial that your puppy get immunized against it.
Some of the symptoms of distemper include:
- Diphasic fever
- Low white blood cell count
- GI and respiratory distress
- Neurological complications
It is critical to vaccinate your puppy against distemper using a modified-live virus vaccine when they are 6-8 weeks old, and then again every 3-4 weeks until they are around 16 weeks old.
Parvovirus (6-8 weeks)
Unvaccinated puppies are especially vulnerable to parvovirus, another extremely infectious virus. When puppies are young and not vaccinated against parvovirus, they can develop a gastrointestinal disease that causes symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia. Aside from diarrhea, other symptoms include a high temperature, stomach cramps, and bloating and soreness. There is no treatment for canine parvovirus infection; the disease may be detected by a physical exam and confirmed with fecal antigen testing.
If you have your puppy vaccinated against parvovirus, though, you can protect him from contracting the disease. Parvovirus vaccinations with a modified-live vaccine should be given to puppies at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. Take your dog in for a booster dose a year following the first vaccination. A parvovirus booster injection is recommended every three years after the first one-year booster.
DHPP (8-12 weeks, 14-16 weeks, 16-18 months)
DHPP is not the name of a single canine virus or illness, but rather a collection of related diseases. When it comes to puppy immunizations, DHPP stands for the four most common causes of illness: distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parainfluenza, and parvovirus. While separate distemper and parvovirus immunizations are necessary for your puppy between 6 and 8 weeks of age, the DHPP vaccine covers both diseases in a single injection for doses two and three.
Your puppy requires a DHPP injection every year or two following the first set of DHPP shorts, which are given as the second and third series for distemper and parvo. Foxes, bears, and coyotes, in addition to dogs, can be infected with canine hepatitis because of the high degree of transmission between them. Constant immunization is crucial since periodic outbreaks may cause significant issues for pet owners.
Rabies (16-18 weeks, 12-16 months, 1-3 years)
The fact that there is now no treatment for rabies makes it one of the leading causes of worry for pet owners. Raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes are just some of the animals that might infect your dog with rabies.
The question then becomes, what rabies vaccinations are necessary for puppies? One dose of the rabies vaccination is given to pups between the ages of 16 and 18 weeks, another between 12 and 16 months, and a final dose between 1 and 3 years. Since the rabies vaccine contains a killed virus, your dog cannot catch the disease from receiving the shot. The recommended interval between rabies vaccination booster shots is between one and three years.
Vaccinations against rabies are mandated by law in the majority of the country since they protect not only your dog but also other cats and dogs they come into contact with.
Additional Vaccines
There are a number of additional vaccines that may be given to your puppy in addition to the required ones. Several of the most popular discretionary immunizations are outlined here.
If your puppy will be spending a lot of time in a kennel or training group, you should consider getting him or her vaccinated against bordetella between the ages of 10 and 12 weeks to protect against kennel cough.
- The Influenza vaccination may help reduce the spread of illness among dog families. However, it’s still necessary to maintain excellent hygiene, such as segregating sick dogs from healthy dogs until they get well.
- Organ failure and death may result from leptospirosis, a potentially fatal infectious illness in dogs. Leptospirosis is spread by contact with the urine of animals that have the disease. Leptospirosis vaccination is suggested if your dog enjoys extended periods of outdoor activity.
- Farm dogs and dogs who spend a lot of time outside are more likely to have Lyme disease since the illness is spread by infected ticks. Lyme disease is spread by ticks, therefore if you go hunting with your dog or live on a farm, you should think about having your dog vaccinated against ticks.
- If you are concerned about your puppy contracting the coronavirus, you may get him vaccinated against it. The two types of canine coronavirus and the appropriate vaccine should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Vaccination Questions for Puppies
What are the mandated immunizations for puppies?
To protect your puppy’s health and prevent the spread of illness, vaccines are essential. Even though it’s your responsibility to have your puppy vaccinated on time, the majority of vaccines are not required by law. As a result of the ease with which rabies may be transmitted from diseased to healthy dogs, rabies vaccination is the only one that is mandated in most states.
Although it is not mandatory to vaccinate your puppy for a wide range of diseases, it is in your best interest to do so.
When vaccinating a puppy, what are the potential risks?
When considering vaccination for your puppy, you may be concerned about possible adverse reactions. Although reactions to puppy immunizations may vary from dog to dog, some of the most frequent include lethargy, a little temperature, and some swelling and soreness at the injection site. You shouldn’t be very concerned, since these symptoms usually resolve on their own, without the need for medical attention.
Can you tell me how much it costs to have a dog vaccinated?
Get your puppy immunized at an average cost of $100. This contains the key vaccinations your dog requires, including distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and parainfluenza. The rabies vaccine for your dog will set you back an additional $15 to $20.5.
You should know that these costs might change based on where you live and who you take your puppy to for vaccinations. Get on the phone and see who in your neighborhood provides puppy vaccinations at a price you can afford.
In conclusion
As a pet parent, you have a responsibility to do everything you can to keep your dog safe, and vaccinations are an important part of that. When may pups go outdoors after getting their shots? Get your puppy vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Even if your state does not mandate that you vaccinate your puppy against rabies, you should.