I Was Told My Pup Had Its First Shots but Can I Do Them Again
Puppy Shots: Vaccines Your Puppy Needs (and When)
Writer: Dr. Jason Nicholas, BVetMed
Published: Jan 8, 2017
Updated: September 21, 2021
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Is information technology time to go to the dog park or take a puppy class?
The places your new puppy is immune to go and the other pups and people they can meet along the mode is influenced, in part, by what vaccines they've had. So we've put together this overview of the "shots" (vaccinations) that puppies should have during their starting time several months of life, likewise as the why and when. Have a peek and discuss with your veterinarian to ensure that your new pup is every bit protected as they can be from the weather that can sicken or crusade them (or even you lot) harm.
The typical 'puppy shot' series
The puppy shot series usually starts between half dozen–8 weeks of age, with new vaccines and boosters given every 3–4 weeks until the puppy is 16–17 weeks old (some puppies demand may need an additional booster at the roughly 20-calendar week old marker — this is especially true with the "black & tan" breeds).
Discussions with your vet will help determine the best vaccines and schedule for your particular puppy and situation — as information technology's Non always a one-size-fits-all.
The timing and duration of a puppy shot series, as well as which vaccines are included in the series, is dependent on several factors and isn't necessarily ever 100% completely the same for every puppy. Some of the factors that influence which vaccines a pup should receive, as well every bit when and how often, include:
- Puppy's historic period
- How many other puppies were in their litter
- How well, and for how long, the puppy nursed
- What mom'due south vaccination and immunity status was
- The cleanliness and set up of the surround they were raised in
- What other vaccines they've already had from the breeder or shelter, and when they had them
- The part of the country they're in and have come from
- What blazon of lifestyle your dog will take (i.east., volition they go to doggie daycare, the groomer, will they hike or go line-fishing with you, etc.)
Skip to the age of your puppy:
Annotation that the vaccines listed below are marked as either "core" or "non-cadre." A discussion of what this ways and why it'due south important is provided further along in this article, afterwards the listing.
half dozen–eight weeks of historic period
In some cases, your puppy will already have received some of these vaccines before yous pick them upward. Check with the people or system you're getting your puppy from to confirm which vaccines your pup received, and when. This information is important for your vet to have to know all-time how to structure your pup's initial vaccination serial, as all of these puppy vaccines demand to be given in a series of "initial" shots followed past "booster" shots.
What vaccines a 6–8 week old puppy might get:
- CORE: DA2P (a.k.a. "Parvo" or "Distemper shot")
Combination shot protecting against Distemper, Adenovirus (Canine Infectious Hepatitis), and "Parvo." This vaccine may exist administered as a DA2PP, which is the same thing, only as well includes protection against Parainfluenza (an of import, only "non-core" vaccine). - NON-Cadre: Bordetella (a.1000.a. "Kennel Cough")
The initial vaccine tin be given at this age if necessary or desired, depending on the type of vaccine used (intra-nasal, oral, or injectable). - NON-Cadre: Canine Influenza Virus (a.k.a. "Dog Flu")
There are two different canine flu vaccines available, each protecting against a different strain of dog influenza. When needed, a domestic dog can receive this vaccine starting at either 6 or eight weeks of age, depending on which of the vaccines they are receiving. Either way, a booster is needed ii–iv or 3 weeks subsequently, again depending on which vaccine they are receiving, for the best protection.
Where your puppy tin can usually go and what they can commonly do after this 6–8 week vaccine visit:
- Become to puppy classes: If their DA2P and Bordetella vaccines have been administered by a veterinarian and your puppy isn't showing any signs of affliction, ane week after these vaccines they can likely brainstorm their puppy socialization classes. All the same, the facility needs to be clean, and all pups in attendance need to have as well received their first veterinary administered vaccine and deworming. Check with your vet and your puppy socialization facility of pick on timing and see this position argument on puppy socialization timing from the American Veterinarian Club of Animate being Behavior.
- Meet some (not all) other dogs: A puppy tin commonly also start to meet other KNOWN and healthy puppies and developed dogs at this point.
- Avoid: Sidewalks, parks, pet stores, doggie daycare, groomers, and other areas/settings popular with other unknown dogs.
Socialization of puppies is critically important for their emotional and behavioral development, and information technology isn't just nigh them being "social" with other dogs or fifty-fifty people. There are many "not-social" things that young puppies need to be properly exposed to early on, also. Check out this article or our Pupstanding App to see how and when to start this super important process with your pup.
nine–12 weeks of age
Depending on your puppy'due south age when y'all offset got them, this may be their offset visit to your veterinarian or their second. Either way, it's an important visit.
What vaccines a 9–12 week puppy might get:
- CORE: DA2P (a.k.a. "Parvo" or "Distemper shot")
Combination shot protecting against Distemper, Adenovirus (Canine Infectious Hepatitis), and "Parvo." This vaccine may be administered as a DA2PP, which is the same thing, but also includes protection against Parainfluenza (an of import, but "non-core" vaccine). - Non-Core: Bordetella (a.thousand.a. "Kennel Cough")
The initial vaccine tin can exist given at this age if necessary or desired, depending on the blazon of vaccine used (intra-nasal, oral, or injectable). - Not-Core: Canine Influenza Virus (a.k.a. "Domestic dog Flu")
There are two different canine flu vaccines available, each protecting confronting a different strain of dog flu. If this is the first dose of this vaccine your pup is receiving, they will need a booster in 2–4 or 3 weeks later, depending on which vaccine they are receiving, for the best protection.
Where your puppy can commonly go and what they tin can usually do after this 9–12 week vaccine visit:
- Start puppy classes: If a puppy hasn't nevertheless begun their puppy socialization classes, they can (and should) do so after receiving their vaccines during this time period.
- Play with known dogs: A puppy can continue to meet other KNOWN and healthy puppies and developed dogs.
- Avert: Sidewalks, parks, pet stores, daycare, and other areas/settings popular with other unknown dogs should be avoided.
- Socialization visits: A quick "socialization visit" to the groomer should be OK, then long as the shop is kept clean and there aren't or haven't been any ill dogs at that place recently. Shopping malls and home improvement stores tin can be not bad places to socialize your puppy without excessive adventure of contagious domestic dog diseases.
12–xvi weeks of age
By now your pup'southward maternal amnesty is likely starting to lessen and their own immune system is becoming more developed. Their booster shots at this visit are of import to build their amnesty and to assistance protect them from these diseases.
What vaccines a 12–16 week puppy might get:
- Core: DA2P (a.thousand.a. "Parvo" or "Distemper shot")
Combination shot protecting against Distemper, Adenovirus (Canine Infectious Hepatitis), and "Parvo." This vaccine may be administered as a DA2PP, which is the same thing, but also includes protection against Parainfluenza (an important, but "non-core" vaccine). - Non-CORE: Bordetella (a.m.a. "Kennel Cough")
The initial vaccine tin be given at this age if necessary or desired, depending on the type of vaccine used (intra-nasal, oral, or injectable). - CORE: Rabies
Tin receive once over thirteen weeks old. Country and local regulations determine the age by which all dogs must be rabies vaccinated. - NON-Core: Leptospirosis ("Lepto")
The initial vaccine in a 2-role series in the starting time year.Come across beneath for more item on what this vaccine covers against and why you or your vet might want to consider it. *Note: Because Lepto can exist devastating to both your dog and you lot (information technology is zoonotic), and besides considering all dogs can be at run a risk (including even indoor-only dogs and those that never go out their backyard), your veterinarian may highly recommend and consider this vaccine "core," and may recommend starting the initial serial more in the 9-12 week age range mentioned above. - NON-Cadre: Lyme
The initial vaccine in a ii-part series in the first twelvemonth. See below for more detail on what this vaccine covers confronting and why you or your vet might want to consider it.
Where your puppy tin commonly go and what they tin usually do after this 12–16 week vaccine visit:
- Play with "unknown dogs": Following this visit, a puppy tin unremarkably begin to aggrandize their circle of friends to include unknown dogs (i.e., ones you would meet on a walk), equally long as they aren't too many in number at one time and they are non showing visible signs of disease and poor wellness.
- Visit more than places: Yous should be able to walk with more ease on popular sidewalks and visit pet stores, avoiding obvious dingy/soiled areas. Longer "social visits" to the groomer should be OK, and then long every bit the shop is kept clean and there aren't/oasis't been whatever sick dogs there recently.
- Still avert: Daycare centers and fields/parks (including dedicated dog parks) should still be avoided.
fifteen–17 weeks of historic period
What vaccines a 15–17 week puppy might go:
- CORE: DA2P booster
The final "Distemper" combo shot in the puppy shots series should be given around this fourth dimension (philharmonic Distemper, Adenovirus (Canine Infectious Hepatitis), Parvo shot. Note that this may be given as a DA2PP, which is the same thing, but also includes protection against Parainfluenza (an important, only "not-core" vaccine) - Not-Cadre: Leptobooster
- Non-Cadre: Lymebooster
Where your puppy can normally go and what they can commonly do after this 15–17 week vaccine visit:
- Freedom! 1week after this final puppy vaccine visit, well-nigh pups have enough vaccine protection against the common vaccinatable conditions of dogs to be able to get a full groom and go to the dog park, doggie daycare, and other places where large groups of unknown dogs frequent and congregate. Of grade, it's all the same a practiced idea to keep an eye out and avoid any obviously sick dogs.
Puppy shots don't last for life!
When a puppy is finished with their initial "puppy shot" series, they're non completely done with vaccines. Booster vaccinations volition exist needed throughout your domestic dog'southward life. The frequency and types of vaccine boosters your dog volition need throughout their life is influenced by their "lifestyle," where you live and travel to with them, how common certain diseases are in your expanse and at different times of year, and a host of other factors.
For some dogs and for some atmospheric condition, titers (blood tests measuring the level of antibodies in your dog's system) may assistance to determine vaccination intervals and may exist preferable. This is a discussion to have with your vet.
Why are "puppy shots" a series? Why is the timing important?
Every puppy is dissimilar. A puppy who was i in a litter of 3 puppies may accept been able to suckle more colostrum (the antibiotic-rich "first milk") from Mom, than a puppy that was 1 in a litter of 13.
Although if the Mom of the litter of 3 wasn't well vaccinated herself, or she didn't produce good milk or exercise a proficient task of nursing her pups, and then it may not necessarily be the case.
Similarly, some puppies are born with deficiencies in their immune system, or their immune system may develop more slowly because of dietary or other factors. And then we never 100% know a pup's starting immune status, how well they are initially protected by "maternal immunity," or how well their immune system will respond to the vaccines nosotros're administering.
And so to provide the best level of protection to the greatest number of puppies in the greatest number of situations, the "puppy shots" are administered as a series of "initial shots" and "booster shots" over the form of the first several months of their life. This gives their maternal immunity (which is protective merely can interfere with a puppy's vaccinations) time to wane while their own allowed organization is fully developing in response to and conjunction with their "shots."
What Vaccines Do Dogs Need?
The concept of core versus not-core vaccines
- "CORE" vaccines: Some infectious diseases of dogs are so common, debilitating and devastating, hands spread, and/or are able to be spread to people (zoonotic) that their vaccination confronting them are deemed of critical importance for all dogs, regardless of their geographic location, lifestyle, etc. These include Distemper, Parvo, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, and Rabies. The vaccines protecting against these conditions are known as the "cadre" vaccines. The first three are often administered as the combination DA2P shot.
- "NON-CORE" vaccines: On the other hand, there are diseases/conditions for which at that place are vaccines, merely either because of their limited geographic distribution (meaning they don't affect all parts of the country as), lesser severity, specific lifestyle gamble factors, or other reasons, they are not automatically e'er recommended for every dog. These typically include Lepto, Lyme disease, Influenza ("Domestic dog Flu"), Kennel Coughing, and Parainfluenza. The vaccines that protect against these diseases are called the "non-core" vaccines. While they're not necessarily needed by all dogs, they can be extremely beneficial to many dogs and in many situations.
- Not typically recommended: And so there are the vaccines that just don't work very well, are associated with more severe side effects, or the diseases they protect against just typically aren't severe plenty to be recommended for use in general.
Vaccinatable Conditions of Dogs
The core vs. non-cadre category of each vaccine is provided below for guidance, but the state of affairs tin be unlike for every dog and every state of affairs. Your veterinarian is your best resource for helping to decide which vaccines your new pup would benefit from, and when. They are the only ones who have the medical training and understanding, as well equally the first-paw noesis of your dog and abode/environmental situation necessary to best guide yous.
Not all vaccines tin can completely forbid infection and disease, but even if they don't completely prevent infection, they will at least minimize the effects of infection and often shorten the course of the infection.
Note that some of the vaccinatable conditions of dogs listed below can be zoonotic, pregnant that they can also infect and cause disease in people.
Bordetella (commonly called 'Kennel Cough')
Not-cadre
Usually recommended for dogs who go to kennels, grooming, daycare, puppy classes, and other places where dogs oft frequent.
Cause: Bacteria
This bacteria is transmitted through the air or directly contact, especially when an infected canis familiaris coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by contaminated clothing, bowls, beds, and other communal surfaces.
Signs:
-
Coughing can progress to pneumonia
-
Nasal or eye discharge
-
Breathing difficulties
Coronavirus
Typically not recommended
The disease is unremarkably mild and resolves on its own, though some outbreaks accept been more than severe.
Cause: Virus
This virus is transmitted through ingestion when an infected dog passes the virus in their stool and another dog eats the stool (or licks/eats the clay or other surface contaminated with the infected stool).
Signs:
-
Decreased energy
-
Decreased appetite
-
Diarrhea
-
Vomiting
Distemper
Core
Cause: Virus
This virus is transmitted through the air or direct contact, especially when an infected domestic dog coughs or sneezes. It tin can as well exist spread by contaminated clothing, bowls, beds, and other communal surfaces.
Signs:
-
Centre and nose belch
-
Cough
-
Vomiting
-
Weakness
-
Problem walking
-
Seizures
Hepatitis/Adenovirus
Core
Crusade: Virus
This virus can exist transmitted through the carrion, urine, or vomit of an infected dog and typically gains access to a susceptible dog through contact with the optics or nose. It tin can also be spread past contaminated clothing, bowls, beds, and other communal surfaces.
Signs:
- High fever
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased energy
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Some have cough and breathing troubles
- May likewise prove abnormal bleeding or bruising, and may develop bluish tinge to their optics
Influenza (Canine Influenza Virus – 'Dog Flu')
Non-Cadre
May be recommended for dogs who go to kennels, preparation, daycare, puppy classes, and other places where dogs often frequent and also for dogs in the face of a local outbreak.
Cause: Virus
This virus is transmitted through the air or direct contact, especially when an infected dog coughs or sneezes. Information technology tin as well be spread by contaminated clothing, bowls, beds, and other communal surfaces.
Signs:
- Coughing
- Eye discharge
- Nose discharge
- Fever
- Can progress to decreased energy and appetite, worse cough, and breathing difficulties (pneumonia)
Leptospirosis
Non-Core
Based on the likelihood of exposure and take a chance/do good assay. *Note that some vets consider the "Lepto" vaccine every bit a "core" vaccine, given how devastating it tin be to both dogs and people (it is zoonotic - and causes liver and/or kidney failure) and besides because no dogs are completely risk-gratuitous. Even indoor-merely dogs and those that never leave their yard are at risk.
Cause: Bacteria
These bacteria can be contracted by drinking contaminated water or coming in contact with mud contaminated with rodent urine.
Signs:
- Loftier fever
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased energy
- Increased thirst and urinations (initially, simply progressing to decreased thirst and urinations)
- Zoonotic (can bear upon people)
Lyme disease (Borrelia)
Non-Core
Crusade: Leaner
These bacteria can be transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.
Signs:
-
Lameness (limping) that can affect multiple legs at one time or in succession
-
Some dogs will also have bloated lymph nodes
-
It can cause painful arthritis
-
In cases where the kidneys are affected, signs may also include sudden loss of appetite and free energy, onset of vomiting, increased thirst and urinations (progressing to decreased thirst and urinations), and weight loss.
Parainfluenza
Non-Core
Usually recommended for dogs who go to kennels, grooming, mean solar day intendance, puppy classes, and other places where dogs oftentimes frequent). *Parainfluenza is often included with many of the Canine "Distemper" shots (which is often a combination vaccine).
Cause: Virus
This virus tin can be transmitted through the air, especially when an infected dog coughs or sneezes.
Signs:
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Eye belch
- One of the viral causes of "Kennel Cough" syndrome
Parvovirus
Core
Cause: Virus
This virus can exist transmitted through the feces, vomit or saliva, or an infected dog. It tin can also exist spread past contaminated clothing, bowls, beds, and other communal surfaces.
Signs:
- High fever
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased energy
- Diarrhea
- Airsickness
The vomiting and diarrhea are oftentimes very astringent and frequent, and in that location is often claret in the diarrhea.
Rabies
Core Cause: Virus
This virus can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal (raccoon, bat, another dog, etc.). The rabies shot is usually mandated by police force and is typically fatal once signs are seen.
Signs:
-
Abnormal or erratic behavior, progressing to assailment
-
Change in bark or "vox"
-
Excessive salivation and drooling
-
Weakness
-
Breathing difficulties
-
Zoonotic (can affect people)
Virtually the author
Dr. Nicholas graduated with honors from The Royal Veterinary College in London, England and completed his Internship at the Creature Medical Center in New York City. He currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Nicholas spent many years as an emergency and general practice veterinary obsessed with keeping pets safe and salubrious. He is the author of Preventive Vet's 101 Essential Tips book series.
Source: https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/puppy-vaccination-schedule
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