One of the most important steps you can take toward ensuring lifelong health for your dog is by providing preventive care such as vaccines and parasite protection. How do you know what your new puppy will need though? Our Hoquiam vets share the recommended puppy vaccination schedule and why it is important to make sure your dog stays up to date on their shots.
Why Should I Have My Puppy Vaccinated?
As with the vaccinations that have been designed for people, dog vaccines protect your pet against a host of serious, often potentially fatal, diseases that are quick to spread between unvaccinated dogs.
While getting your dog shots every year may seem like an unnecessary expense at the time, your dog's annual vaccinations are likely to cost far less than treatment for the illnesses vaccines protect against.
How Will I Know What Vaccinations My Puppy Will Need?
The vaccines recommended for dogs in the Hoquiam area include immunizations to help prevent bordetella, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and rabies.
Your vet will be able to recommend the vaccines which are most appropriate for your dog based on your pet's age, where you live, and your dog's lifestyle.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Below are the recommended schedules for getting your puppy's shots and your adult dog's booster vaccines. By following these schedules we believe that you are giving your puppy their very best chance at a long and healthy life.
Puppy Vaccine 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 Vaccine 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 For Vaccinations
Speak to your vet to find out more about which vaccines are appropriate for your dog. Very young puppies and senior dogs with compromised immune systems are not eligible for all shots.
What Are The Possible Side Effects of Puppy Vaccinations?
Some dogs may have an allergic reaction to getting their shots. This is typically due to a sensitivity to an individual ingredient of a specific vaccine. Different breeds tend to react to some ingredients.
Breeds including German shepherds, collies, and some sheepdogs are known to be sensitive to individual vaccines. Your veterinarian will skip any vaccines that contain ingredients that your dog may be sensitive to.
Why Puppy Vaccinations Are Important
Vaccinations are a key element of your dog's preventive health care. By taking your dog in for their shots early in life, then regularly as they move through adulthood, you give your canine companion their very best chance of living a long and healthy life. Maintaining a schedule for routine vaccinations for your dog could also save you time and money since treatment for the diseases prevented by these vaccines can be time-consuming and very expensive.
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.