If your dog is vaccinated, it will not get sick. If you let them be unvaccinated, they might get a disease and die. You should vaccinate your dog to keep them safe.
At Indian Trail Animal Hospital, we have spent many years educating people about the benefits of dog vaccination. We can advise you on the required immunizations and when they should be administered. We’ve been asked every question you can think of about dog vaccinations over the years.
Dog Vaccines: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
Vaccines aid in the defense of your dog’s immune system. Dogs get sicker if they can’t fight off the bad things in their bodies. Vaccines contain antigens, which are bad things but don’t make them sick. The vaccine causes the immune system to detect it if the antigens meet again.
Core -Vaccines
Vaccinations are essential for all dogs. They help prevent diseases. The American Animal Hospital Association suggests the following vaccinations:
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Rabies
- Leptospirosis
Noncore – vaccines
- Bordetella
- Canine Influenza (dog flu)
- Lyme vaccine
These vaccines are not Core, but they are essential for most dogs. We will talk about which vaccines make sense for your dog and whether or not you want them to have the vaccine.
Rabies vaccinations are law in NC and most states. It is critical to vaccinate your dog against rabies regularly. The time for the puppy vaccine and dog vaccine is different. In NC, it is given at 16 weeks ( no earlier than week 12). One vaccination will last for one year. Rabies is good for three years; the first time a new patient sees their doctor, they should get it. For example, a puppy would get rabies at 16 weeks, then at one year, and again at age 4.
Are There Optional Dog Vaccines?
Puppy vaccines are essential for your dog’s health. Depending on their age or other factors, you might not need to vaccinate them.
- Age
- Medical history
- Environment
- Travel habits
- Lifestyle
Don’t forget that discussing the suitable vaccine protocol for your dog at your next appointment is vital.
When To Start Puppy Vaccinations
When you get a new puppy, it should start getting shots. They should begin when the puppy is 6-8 weeks old and then every three weeks until four months old. Mother’s milk is healthy for puppies. After that, they need shots too.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
For puppies, we usually prescribe the following vaccine schedule:
- 6-7 weeks: DHPP*, Bordetella
- 9-10 weeks: DHPP, Bordetella, Leptospirosis
- 12-13 weeks: DHPP, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza**, Lyme Disease
- 15-17 weeks: DHPP, Rabies, Canine Influenza, Lyme Disease
**Canine influenza and Lyme vaccinations are given depending on the lifestyle of the dog
*DHPP – distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza.
Puppy vaccines help keep your puppy from getting sick. Vaccines can fight many illnesses that puppies might get without them. It is essential to give the vaccinations on a schedule, so your puppy doesn’t get one of these terrible diseases. Vaccinations are a fantastic approach to ensure your puppy stays healthy and happy for the rest of its life.
Some puppies may need to get a vaccine against parvovirus after 15 weeks. You should talk with your veterinarian when you go in for the next appointment.
Dog Vaccination Schedule
After your puppy is all grown up, it can start getting annual vaccinations. They were like the ones they had when they were a puppy, but now you also give them something else. Give the dog shots every year.
We give them vaccines when our pets come to see us for their first visit. We provide the DHPP, Leptospirosis, Rabies, and Lyme. If Kennel Cough is due now, we should also give that to the pet.
Vaccination Effectivity
- DHPP – 3 years
- Rabies – 3 years
- Leptospirosis – 1 year
- Canine Influenza – 1 year
- Lyme Disease – 1 year
Dog Vaccinations Side Effects And Associated Risks
Vaccinations are good. They help you stay healthy. The side effects of vaccinations are rare. But sometimes, they can happen when you get a vaccination or when your dog gets a vaccination. You need to be careful and have someone with you to take care of the dog after being vaccinated.
Vaccination Reaction Symptoms
- Fever
- Sluggishness
- Loss of appetite
- Facial or paw swelling and hives
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain or swelling around the injection site
- Collapse, difficulty breathing, and seizures (anaphylactic shock)
Like we get vaccines for humans, dogs also need to get them. They can be mild and short-lived. Call your vet immediately if your dog develops a severe response, such as facial swelling, vomiting, or lethargy.
Scheduling An Appointment For Dog Vaccinations
When you get a puppy, visit the vet and get it vaccinated. You can also do this with an adult dog. The vaccine will help protect them from disease.
Your dog should get their shots on time as with any other immunization protocol. Take them to the veterinarian for vaccinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Vaccination Names
Can different types of vaccines be mixed in the same syringe?
No. Different vaccines should never be mixed in the same syringe before being them to someone.
Should a small breed dog receive the same volume of a parenterally administered vaccine as a larger breed dog?
Vaccines are not given in the same way as medicines. They give vaccines based on weight, and medicine doses are not. When medicine doses are reduced, there is no difference in risk or safety.
Should vaccines be administered to the anesthetized patient?
Doing this is not usually recommended. There might be a small risk where a dog could have vomiting and aspirate after the vaccine. But if there is an opportunity to give your dog a vaccine, you can do it on recovery from anesthesia.
Should a pregnant dog be vaccinated?
Vaccination with a live virus and an inactivated virus can harm unborn babies. But some people get vaccinated when they are pregnant. If the woman has never been vaccinated and has a high risk of exposure to a terrible disease, she might get vaccinated.
Can the vaccine be administered weekly to puppies at high risk of exposure to an infectious pathogen?
Regardless of the vaccine, it must be given at least two weeks apart. After someone has a vaccine, their immune system might be weakened for 10-12 days. If you provide them with another dose within that time frame, they may not have enough protection from the vaccine.