Vaccinations
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Puppies should receive their first vaccinations at six to eight weeks of age.
Be sure to keep the puppy records we provide you with and take them to your next vet appointment. Your veterinarian will then recommend a schedule depending on the lifestyle you envision for your puppy and risk of certain diseases based on where you live or travel. Most vaccines are given every 2-4 weeks until actual protection is expected to be achieved. Depending on your puppy’s age, this may require 3-4 vaccinations for the Distemper/Parvo (DHPP) series until your puppy is 16-20 weeks of age. The schedule can be found below, as well as an explanation of the vaccines and other recommended preventatives. |
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6 - 8 weeks Recommended: 1st DHPP Distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parainfluenza, and parvovirus |
10 - 12 weeks Recommended: 2nd DHPP Optional: Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease NOTE: Consult your vet about the risks of the above diseases. |
16 - 18 weeks Recommended: 3rd DHPP or DHLPP (includes Leptospirosis), rabies Optional: Influenza, Lyme disease, Bordetella Bordetella is recommended if your dogs are boarded, attend daycare or are around other dogs frequently. |
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12-16 months Recommended: 3rd DHPP or DHLPP (includes Leptospirosis), rabies Optional: Influenza, Lyme disease, Bordetella |
Every 1 - 2 years Recommended: DHPP or DHLPP Optional: Coronavirus, Influenza, Lyme disease, Bordetella |
Every 1 — 3 years Rabies (as required by law) |
Vaccinations Explained
DHPP/DHLPP
This is often referred to as simply the “distemper shot”. In actuality, this combination vaccine shot is protecting your dog from 4 different diseases. The acronym means distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. “Distemper with lepto” refers to the same combination but with added protection against Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection which is prevalent in moist climates with standing or slow moving water. The 2 most important parts of this combo vaccine are distemper and parvo. Distemper shows in the form of flu-like symptoms resulting in severe neurological symptoms and usually death. Parvo virus is also often deadly, but can be turned around with intensive hospitalized care. Parvo virus is airborne and spread through cough, sneezing, and even stool.
Rabies
This is a severe viral disease which progresses rapidly, affecting the brain and central nervous system. Rabies in dogs and cats is most commonly transmitted through bites from infected animals such as foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. In the United States, bat bites are the most common cause of rabies transmission. This disease is always fatal in unvaccinated animals, usually occurring only 7-10 days after symptoms began. The importance in vaccinating against this virus lies not only in protecting your pet, but also yourself. Rabies is considered a “zoonotic” disease, which means that it is able to be transmitted from animals to humans. Approximately 40,000-70,000 rabies-related human deaths occur worldwide each year, with bites from unvaccinated dogs being most of these cases.
Bordetella
Kennel Cough, scientifically known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis, is spread by close contact with other dogs who immediately inhale the bug from the infected dog’s cough. Boarding kennels provide an environment where many dogs are kept in close contact, making it an ideal environment for this type of illness to spread. Vaccination is offered by most vets as an injectable or intranasal vaccine. The intranasal vaccine works differently in that it creates antibodies in nasal cavity cells rather than in the blood stream. It is important to wait 48 hours after vaccinating before going to the dog park, boarding facility, or groomer – this allows time for your dog’s body to develop a defense against the illness.
This is often referred to as simply the “distemper shot”. In actuality, this combination vaccine shot is protecting your dog from 4 different diseases. The acronym means distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. “Distemper with lepto” refers to the same combination but with added protection against Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection which is prevalent in moist climates with standing or slow moving water. The 2 most important parts of this combo vaccine are distemper and parvo. Distemper shows in the form of flu-like symptoms resulting in severe neurological symptoms and usually death. Parvo virus is also often deadly, but can be turned around with intensive hospitalized care. Parvo virus is airborne and spread through cough, sneezing, and even stool.
Rabies
This is a severe viral disease which progresses rapidly, affecting the brain and central nervous system. Rabies in dogs and cats is most commonly transmitted through bites from infected animals such as foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. In the United States, bat bites are the most common cause of rabies transmission. This disease is always fatal in unvaccinated animals, usually occurring only 7-10 days after symptoms began. The importance in vaccinating against this virus lies not only in protecting your pet, but also yourself. Rabies is considered a “zoonotic” disease, which means that it is able to be transmitted from animals to humans. Approximately 40,000-70,000 rabies-related human deaths occur worldwide each year, with bites from unvaccinated dogs being most of these cases.
Bordetella
Kennel Cough, scientifically known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis, is spread by close contact with other dogs who immediately inhale the bug from the infected dog’s cough. Boarding kennels provide an environment where many dogs are kept in close contact, making it an ideal environment for this type of illness to spread. Vaccination is offered by most vets as an injectable or intranasal vaccine. The intranasal vaccine works differently in that it creates antibodies in nasal cavity cells rather than in the blood stream. It is important to wait 48 hours after vaccinating before going to the dog park, boarding facility, or groomer – this allows time for your dog’s body to develop a defense against the illness.
Other Preventatives
Heartworm
When your puppy is around 12-to-16 weeks, talk to your vet about starting a heartworm preventive. Though there is no vaccine for this condition, it is preventable with regular medication that your veterinarian will prescribe.
Flea & Tick
You can start your puppy on flea and tick prevention as early as 8 weeks of age (must weigh at least 5 lbs). Products like Frontline Plus are applied monthly and take care of fleas, ticks, their larvae and eggs.
When your puppy is around 12-to-16 weeks, talk to your vet about starting a heartworm preventive. Though there is no vaccine for this condition, it is preventable with regular medication that your veterinarian will prescribe.
Flea & Tick
You can start your puppy on flea and tick prevention as early as 8 weeks of age (must weigh at least 5 lbs). Products like Frontline Plus are applied monthly and take care of fleas, ticks, their larvae and eggs.