Vaccines for Puppies & Dogs

It’s exciting welcoming a canine friend to your household. One of your first tasks – aside from giving them lots of cuddles and taking lots of photos – is to get them vaccinated. When you vaccinate your loyal companion, you give them protection that keeps them safe when they are ready to explore their surroundings. Our hospital provides all the vaccines required by law and much more.

When should my puppy be vaccinated?

Puppy vaccines should be given right when they are weaned off their mother’s milk. In general, this is between 6 to 8-weeks-old. Following the first round of shots, puppies need injections every 2 to 4 weeks until they are 4-months-old.

Which vaccines may be recommended for my pet?

Some of the vaccines that your pet needs are mandatory. In fact, the Rabies vaccine is required by law. These vaccines are called core because they protect from diseases that can be easily spread and have the potential to be deadly. The core vaccines that all puppies and dogs need are:

• Rabies
• Canine distemper
• Canine hepatitis
• Canine parvovirus

The other vaccines that your pet may need are classified as non-core. These injections are equally important but they are only recommended based on your pet’s specific needs and risk factors. Examples of non-core vaccines are:

• Lyme
• Bordetella
• Leptospirosis

Are vaccines safe for my pet?

Vaccines are 100% safe for your pet. All shots have gone through trials before they were deemed safe for pets. Occasionally some pets will have minor reactions after getting a vaccine. The symptoms (fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, etc.) are short-lived and they go away within two days.