Vaccination Schedule for Puppies

If you have a new puppy, you’ve probably been told about a vaccination schedule. While vaccination schedules can be daunting, they are a great way to keep your furry friend’s health up to date. By learning which vaccines your pup needs, you are setting your pooch up for lifelong health and happiness! Follow along to learn about what each vaccine does and when your canine companion should get them.

What Each Vaccination Does

Before we get into scheduling your pup’s vaccines, it is important that you understand why each vaccine is essential to their health. Here are some of the fundamental vaccines, as well as a few tailored to lifestyle choices.

DAPPV

DAPPV stands for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus, otherwise known as the core four diseases of the canine world. This combination shot protects your pup from severe viruses that attack your dog’s body and organs. Since this vaccine protects your canine from fatal diseases, it is essential.

Leptospirosis

This vaccine protects your pup from leptospirosis, which is linked to kidney and liver failure in dogs. It is important to get this vaccine early since this disease is highly transmissible and can be transmitted to humans.

Rabies

Often required by local regulations, Rabies vaccines protect both your puppy and humans from the transmissible disease. Rabies is a deadly infection that attacks the brain and central nervous system. Without immediate treatment, Rabies is almost always fatal. For this reason, many state and local governments will require that your puppy receive this vaccine.

Lifestyle Vaccines

Lifestyle vaccines refer to unrequired yet encouraged vaccinations for your pup based on lifestyle choices and overall health. While these vaccines are not essential, they are highly recommended as an extra layer of protection.

• Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC): Often referred to as Bordetella, a CIRDC vaccine protects your pup from several common respiratory diseases, such as parainfluenza and adenovirus. Though it is not required by law, many boarding and grooming facilities will require your pooch to have received this vaccine.
• Canine Influenza: Canine Influenza vaccines differ from CIRDC vaccines because they target specific viral strains. This vaccine is likely required by doggy daycare, boarding, and grooming businesses.
• Lyme Disease: Whereas Canine Influenza and CIRDC are needed everywhere, Lyme disease vaccinations are for canines with outdoor lifestyles and/or who live in heavily wooded areas. Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection that causes severe swelling and discomfort, and is highly recommended for hunting dogs.

For some of these vaccinations, booster shots are needed. Consult your vet about which vaccinations your pooch should get and which require yearly booster shots to maintain their effectiveness.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Now that you know what each vaccine is for, let’s dive into when your furry friend should receive them! The general timeline is as follows:

• 6-8 Weeks: The first DAPPV vaccine.
• 10-12 Weeks: The second DAPPV booster and the Leptospirosis vaccine. Lifestyle vaccines are often distributed within this time frame as well.
• 14-16 Weeks: The final DAPPV booster and the Rabies vaccine.

It is important to note that while these are the recommended time frames, each dog is different. Talk to your vet to lay out a vaccination schedule tailored to your furry friend’s needs, and trust their input. It is common for your vet to give booster shots at yearly checkups.

Though this is a lot to keep track of, your vet is a fantastic resource to lean on. Ensure you stay up to date on your furry friend’s vaccinations, as they help them live a long, happy life. After all, a healthy pup is a vaccinated pup!