Your Complete Guide to First-Year Puppy Vaccinations

Your little puppy’s immune system helps guard it against disease-causing pathogens. Despite the efficiency of the immune system, some pathogens may overwhelm it. Most of these pathogens are unrecognizable to the immune system and cause illnesses. Vaccines help the immune system recognize pathogens and eliminate them.

Just like humans, your puppy needs to undergo vaccination. These vaccinations need boosters as the puppy grows. Vaccinations are in two categories: core and non-core pet vaccines. Core vaccinations are ideal for any pet while non-core vaccines depend on your puppy’s lifestyle.

Factors That Affect Puppy Vaccination

Several factors affect the shot series and vaccines that your puppy receives. The series and vaccines are not the same for all puppies. Some of the factors you must consider when taking your puppy for vaccination include:

• Age
• Length of nursing
• The vaccination status of the mother
• The number of puppies in the litter
• Any previous vaccinations
• Your location and where the puppy is from
• Cleanliness

Vaccination Schedule

Your pet should receive the first vaccination when they are as young as six weeks. You and your vet should prepare a schedule depending on a number of factors.

From Six to Eight Weeks Old

As a start, you must inquire from the vendor or animal shelter on any injections your puppy may have received. This helps your vet structure the puppy’s first vaccination series. The reason is each of the vaccines must start with a shot then a booster as the puppy ages. At this age, your puppy can either receive core or non-core vaccines.

Under core vaccines, your puppy will receive an injection of DA2PP. This vaccine protects your puppy against parainfluenza, adenovirus, and distemper. Under non-core vaccines, the puppy will be vaccinated against kennel cough and dog flu. Dog flu is a type of canine influenza virus. Vaccines for this disease also protect against different strains of the flu.

Depending on the vaccine, your puppy may receive a booster shot two to four weeks after the first shot.

From Nine to 12 Weeks Old

Vaccines at this age depend on the information you receive from your vendor or shelter about your puppy. The puppy may receive the same vaccines as one that is six to eight weeks old. This means core or non-core vaccinations against kennel cough, dog flu, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and distemper. You can also opt for vaccines against leptospirosis, Bordetella, influenza, and Lyme disease.

 

From 12 to 18 Weeks Old

During this age, your puppy’s immune system begins to develop as it loses its maternal immunity. Booster shots are vital at this stage as it helps build immunity. The puppy will need booster shots for all the previous vaccinations and a shot against rabies. 

After these vaccinations, you can comfortably let your puppy play with others and even visit wider areas. However, you must avoid open fields, daycare centers, and dog parks.

From One Year Old and Above
 

From this age on, it is best to schedule rabies and DHPP vaccination every one to two years.

For more information on puppy vaccination, visit Community Pet Outreach at our office in Lewisville, Texas. You can call (972) 848-8930 to schedule an appointment.