Puppy Vaccinations: When To Vaccinate And What Shots Do Puppies Need?

Vaccinating your puppy is an important part of providing them with a healthy life. When it comes to vaccinations, timing is crucial, as puppies are born with some immunity from their mother’s antibodies, but this decreases quickly after birth. Vaccinations can protect your puppy from the most serious diseases, such as distemper and parvovirus, which can be fatal if not treated.

Vaccination Types

When to Start Vaccinating

Puppies should start their vaccinations when they are six to eight weeks of age. This is when the mother’s antibodies start to decrease, leaving the puppy vulnerable to diseases. Vaccination should be completed by the time the puppy is 16 weeks old.

Core Vaccines and diseases they prevent

There are four core vaccines that should be given to all puppies: distemper, hepatitis (or adenovirus-2), parvo, and rabies.

1. Distemper is a virus that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of puppies. It is highly contagious and can be fatal if not treated. It is usually spread through contact with an infected animal’s bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, or feces. Symptoms of distemper include coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis. Vaccination is the best way to protect puppies from distemper.

2. Hepatitis, or adenovirus-2, is a virus that affects the puppy’s liver and can cause liver failure. It is typically spread through contact with infected feces, saliva, or urine. Symptoms of hepatitis in puppies may range from mild fever to a sudden death. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis in dogs.

3. Parvo is a virus that affects the intestines of a puppy and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. It is highly contagious and can be deadly if not treated immediately. The virus is spread through contact with infected feces, and can survive in the environment for months. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the virus and should be done as soon as possible after the puppy is weaned.

4. Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and is usually spread through the bite of an infected animal. Vaccinating your puppy against rabies is important for protecting them and your family from this deadly disease.

In Florida this vaccine is required by Florida Statutes for all dogs (and cats) that are 4 months of age or older. Many other states also require rabies vaccination.

Non-Core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines are important but may not be necessary for all puppies depending on a lifestyle. Non-core vaccines are designed to protect your pet from infections that are not as common or are more localized. These include parainfluenza, leptospirosis, bordetella, canine influenza, and lyme disease. They are recommended for puppies in high-risk environments or for those who may be exposed to the illnesses.

1. Parainfluenza is a virus that affects the respiratory system of a dog and can cause coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. It is highly contagious and can easily be spread from one dog to another, so it is important to keep puppy away from other animals who may be infected. Vaccination is the best way to protect your dog from parainfluenza.

2. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects the kidneys and liver of puppies. It is spread by contact with the urine of infected animals, which can be found in soil, water, and vegetation. Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and jaundice. Vaccines are recommended for puppies that are at risk of exposure.

3. Bordetella is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system of puppies. It is typically spread through contact with other dogs that have the infection. Symptoms of the infection can include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, and fever. Vaccination is recommended if your puppy will be  around other dogs, such as at a dog park, or in a doggy daycare.

4. Canine influenza is a virus that affects  dogs. It is highly contagious and can spread rapidly through contact with other dogs, as well as through contact with contaminated objects such as bedding, bowls, and toys. Most common symptom of canine influenza is coughing, which may persist for 30 days. Other symptoms may include sneezing, discharge from the eyes and/or nose, lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite.  Vaccines are recommended for puppies that will be in contact with other dogs or in areas with a high risk of contracting the virus, such as kennels, shelters, and dog parks.

5. Lyme disease in puppies is a bacterial disease that is transmitted by ticks. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more serious conditions, such as neurological and heart problems. To prevent Lyme disease in puppies, it is important to check your dog regularly for ticks and to keep their environment free of ticks. Vaccination is also recommended for puppies that live or will be traveling to areas where Lyme disease is common.

Vaccination Schedule

Puppies should receive the first set of core vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks of age, with 2-3 booster shots every 2-4 weeks apart, depending on the starting age. The non-core leptospirosis vaccine is now being increasingly recommended as a core vaccine by many veterinarians, including this author. 

Adult dogs should receive the core vaccine booster every 1 year or every 3 years depending on the vaccine type and manufacturer. 

Non-core vaccine schedule can vary depending on the dog’s lifestyle and circumstances. They can be given at the same time as the core vaccines or separately and should be repeated annually.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

¹ Come in one combination vaccine

Risks of Non-Vaccination

Risk of Contracting Diseases

Unvaccinated puppies are at risk of contracting potentially fatal illnesses, such as distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and rabies. These diseases can cause severe symptoms and even death in puppies, depending on their age, health, and the strain of the virus.

Risk of Spread of Disease

Unvaccinated puppies can be a source of infection for other animals in the area. If the unvaccinated puppy contracts a virus, it can spread the virus to other animals, both through contact and through contact with contaminated materials. This can create a chain of infection in the area and can be extremely difficult to stop.

Conclusion

It is important to vaccinate your puppy against the core vaccines (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and rabies) and the non-core vaccines (parainfluenza, leptospirosis, bordetella, canine influenza, and lyme) to protect them from serious diseases.

Vaccinating your puppy is the best way to protect them from serious diseases and to help prevent the spread of disease in your area. Vaccinating your puppy will ensure they have a healthy life.