Puppy & Dog Vaccinations
Dog vaccinations are essential to helping your pet live a long, happy and healthy life. Vaccinate your pooch and you'll protect her from serious conditions, illnesses or potentially fatal diseases that dogs are often vulnerable to.
Today, we'll list which vaccines dogs need and share a typical dog vaccination schedule. Please ask your veterinarian about the dog vaccinations your pooch will need.
Core vs. Non-Core Dog Vaccinations
Core vaccines and non-core vaccines are the two general categories of vaccines for pets.
Core Vaccines
All dogs and puppies require core vaccines. These vaccines include:
- Canine rabies vaccine
- Canine distemper/adenovirus (hepatitis)/parvovirus vaccine (administered as one vaccine named DAP or DHP)
Non-Core Vaccines
These lifestyle vaccines are considered optional and administered based on numerous factors, including your pet's lifestyle and geographic location. Many non-core vaccines protect your pet against illnesses that are highly contagious or potentially life-threatening diseases.
These vaccines include:
- Canine influenza vaccine (H3N2 and/or H3N8)
- Parainfluenza vaccine (frequently combined with either the Bordetella or the DAP vaccines)
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica Vaccine
- Leptospirosis vaccine
- Lyme vaccine
To identify which lifestyle vaccines your dog should receive, your vet will assess a few factors, including:
- Your dog's general health
- Your dog's lifestyle — do you take them on hikes, travel with them, or are they exposed to wilderness or bodies of water regularly?
- Whether your pet attends grooming or boarding facilities, dog parks or doggy daycare
- Geographic location and risk of disease in your area
Vaccination Schedule for Puppies & Adult Dogs
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
6 — 8 weeks
- *DHPP Shot 1
- Bordatella
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- Influenza Virus-H3N8
- Influenza Virus-H3N2
10 - 12 Weeks
- Influenza Virus-H3N8
- Influenza Virus-H3N2
- DHPP Shot 2
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- Rabies
14 - 16 Weeks
- DHPP Shot 3
- Adult Dog Vaccination Schedule
Annually
- Bordatella
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- Rabies
- Influenza Virus-H3N8
- Influenza Virus-H3N2
Every 3 Years
- DHPP Booster
- Rabies
*DHPP: this vaccine protects against Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
Age Restrictions
Talk to your vet to learn more about which vaccines are appropriate for your dog. Very young puppies and senior dogs with compromised immune systems will not be eligible for all shots.
Are there potential side effects to dog vaccinations?
After receiving their shots, some dogs may have an allergic reaction, typically due to a sensitivity to a single ingredient of a specific vaccine. Different breeds have a tendency to react to some ingredients.
Various collies, some sheepdogs and german shepherds are known to be sensitive to individual vaccinations. Your vet will not administer any vaccines that contain ingredients that your dog may be sensitive to.
The Importance of Vaccinations
Vaccinations are essential to your dog's preventive healthcare. When you bring your dog in for his or her shots early in life, then regularly as they mature through adulthood, you allow your furry friend the very best opportunity to live a long, 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.