The Vaccination Schedule You Need To Know: What Are Puppies Vaccinated For And When Do They Get Their Shots?
Puppy vaccinations are essential for the health and safety of your fur baby. But what exactly does your puppy need to be vaccinated for and when should this happen? In this article, we discuss all you need to know about the vaccination schedule for puppies - from the types of vaccines they need to when they should receive them and potential reactions they may have.
Introduction: What Vaccinations Are Recommended For Puppies?
Vaccinations are an important part of protecting your puppy and ensuring they remain healthy. There are a number of different vaccinations that are recommended for puppies, depending on their age, health, and risk factors.
The core vaccinations that are typically recommended for all puppies include:
Lepto: Leptospirosis is caused by leptospira bacteria. It's often found in soil, water, and food worldwide. Leptospirosis can infect both humans and animals, although infection from a pet to their humans is less common
Distemper: This vaccine covers four different viruses that can cause serious illness in puppies, including respiratory distress, seizures, and death. Puppies should receive their first dose of the distemper vaccine at six to eight weeks of age, with a booster given every three to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old.
Parainfluenza: This is a highly contagious virus that can cause respiratory disease in dogs worldwide.
Parvovirus: This highly contagious virus can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in puppies, often leading to dehydration and death. Puppies should receive their first dose of the parvovirus vaccine at six to eight weeks of age, with a booster given every three to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old.
Rabies: Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the nervous system and is transmitted through saliva or other body fluids. All puppies should receive a rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age.
In addition to the core vaccines, there are also a number of non-core vaccines that may be recommended based on your puppy's individual risk factors. These include vaccines for Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, hepatitis, and others. Your veterinarian can help you determine which vaccines are right for your puppy based on their health and lifestyle.
Why Does Your Puppy Need Vaccines?
As a new puppy owner, you may be wondering why your pup needs vaccines. After all, they’re healthy and haven’t been exposed to any diseases, so why put them through the stress and expense of vaccinations?
The simple answer is that vaccinations are essential to protecting your puppy from a number of deadly diseases. Puppies are especially vulnerable to these diseases because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Without vaccines, your puppy could easily become sickened by one of these illnesses and may not survive.
Vaccines work by introducing a small amount of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease into your puppy’s body. This allows their immune system to develop immunity to the disease without actually becoming sick. Then, if they are ever exposed to the real disease, their immune system will be able to fight it off and keep them healthy.
There are a number of different vaccines that puppies will need in order to be fully protected. The most common include vaccines for parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and rabies. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on which vaccines your puppy needs based on their age, health status, and lifestyle.
Puppies typically start receiving vaccinations at around 6-8 weeks of age. They will then need booster shots every 3-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks old. After that, they will need annual booster shots to maintain their immunity.
When Should Puppies Receive Their Vaccinations?
Puppies should receive their vaccinations starting at 6-8 weeks of age. They should then have a booster four weeks later at 12 weeks of age, and another at 16 weeks of age. After that, they should have an annual booster shot.
Potential Side Effects of Vaccines for Puppies
As with any medical procedure, there are potential side effects associated with vaccines. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. However, more serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, are possible. If you notice any of the following side effects in your puppy after they receive a vaccine, please contact your veterinarian:
-Lethargy
-Loss of appetite
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Fever
-Swollen lymph nodes
How to Prepare Your Puppy For Their Vaccine Appointments
Puppies need a series of vaccinations to help them build immunity to diseases. Your breeder should take your puppy to the vet for their first vaccine appointment at around 6-8 weeks old. The vet will likely give them a combination vaccine that protects against several different diseases. Puppies will need booster shots every 3-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old, at which point they will receive a final booster shot.
After your puppy's first round of vaccines, you should make sure to schedule follow-up appointments for future booster shots and vaccines. It's important to keep up with your puppy's vaccination schedule so that they can stay healthy and protected from disease.
Conclusion
Vaccinating your puppy is an important part of keeping them healthy and happy. By following the vaccination schedule outlined here, you can ensure that your pup receives all the necessary vaccines to be protected against contagious diseases. We understand that it’s not always easy to know what shots you need to give your pet and when they should receive them. That's why we've compiled this helpful guide on the vaccination schedule for puppies so that you have all of the information at hand when making decisions regarding vaccinations for your dog. It is also always best to consult your veterinarian regarding required vaccines in your area.
