Few things in life are better than bringing home a new puppy. Whether rescued or adopted, all puppies share one thing in common: an undeniable commitment to love, lick, and lavish their new owners with affection and reassurance.
But, while it may be easy to reciprocate that affection, caring for a puppy also means keeping them healthy with timely veterinary care and vaccinations. Before you bring your young pup out and about, you’ll need to consider their vaccination status and get an immunization plan from your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Most healthy puppies should begin a series of vaccinations within the first eight weeks of life. While some vaccines are optional and based on lifestyle, others are strongly recommended—or even required by law. Your veterinarian will discuss these options with you to determine the best vaccination plan for your individual pet.
Let’s take a look at the most common puppy vaccines and recommended timelines:
Core Vaccines
Many of the common puppy vaccines may be familiar to seasoned dog owners. “Core vaccines” are those that are strongly recommended—or required—for all puppies and adult dogs. Core vaccines for canines include:
Canine Distemper Virus
One of the main vaccines your puppy will receive is for distemper, a highly contagious viral disease that can affect multiple body systems. Canine distemper is found in a variety of mammals, including dogs, foxes, skunks, coyotes, and raccoons, and is capable of causing severe disease that may even prove fatal. An infected animal can spread the virus through airborne transmission—such as with a sneeze or a cough—or through community use of food bowls or other items.
Signs of distemper may include nasal or ocular discharge, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, seizures, or paralysis, among others. Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper, and many affected animals have long-lasting effects or eventually succumb to the disease.
Canine Adenovirus-2
There are two strains of adenoviruses that can affect dogs. Adenovirus-2 causes respiratory disease and is often a component of infectious tracheobronchitis—commonly known as “kennel cough.” Typical signs include coughing, nasal discharge, and fever. Adenovirus-1 leads to systemic disease and is a main infectious cause of hepatitis in dogs. The virus that causes canine hepatitis is not related to the human viral strains but it can cause signs similar to Hepatitis A and B, such as abdominal pain and vomiting. Other signs of hepatitis in dogs may include jaundice, abdominal distention, fever, and mucous membrane congestion.
Like canine distemper, there is no cure for canine adenovirus infection, but vaccination offers excellent protection. The adenovirus-2 vaccine is a core canine immunization, providing defense against both adenovirus-1 and adenovirus-2.
Canine Parvovirus
This highly contagious disease can affect dogs of all ages, though it presents the highest risk to unvaccinated puppies under four months old. Parvovirus chiefly causes fever and gastrointestinal signs such as appetite loss and vomiting. The most commonly reported sign of parvovirus is notably loose, often bloody stool, which can lead to dehydration and even death.
Many affected dogs require hospitalization to treat parvovirus, but preventing this highly transmissible disease is attainable via vaccination.
Canine Parainfluenza Virus
Another key contributor to “kennel cough,” canine parainfluenza virus spreads via respiratory secretions of infected dogs. Proximity makes transmission easier, which is why veterinarians and pet owners commonly see parainfluenza in kennels, shelters, and other canine boarding facilities.
Affected dogs may exhibit signs such as nasal discharge, fever, or coughing. While signs of parainfluenza virus may mimic those of canine influenza, each virus requires individual vaccinations for protection. It is rare for parainfluenza to cause life-threatening disease, but the contagious nature of the virus makes it an important vaccine for dogs. The parainfluenza vaccine is often integrated with the vaccine for distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus-2 as part of a core combination vaccine (DA2PP), but formulations exist without the parainfluenza component (DA2P).
Rabies Virus
The law requires all dogs to remain current on their rabies vaccinations throughout their life. Rabies affects mammals such as dogs, cats, skunks, and other wildlife by attacking the central nervous system. The disease causes paralysis of the mouth and neck areas and may also trigger other neurological signs such as seizures, aggression, and excessive drooling.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can affect both animals and humans—and the signs are similar in both. While veterinarians can make a presumptive rabies diagnosis based on signs and history of a bite or scratch, a definitive diagnosis is impossible without testing the brain of the affected animal, which can only be done postmortem.
Non-core Vaccines
While the aforementioned vaccines are considered “core vaccines” that all dogs should receive, other immunizations are available to protect your puppy on a case-by-case basis. These vaccinations may be recommended depending on you and your pet’s lifestyle or geographic location.
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Another leading cause of “kennel cough,” Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that can lead to an intense, dry, hacking cough, retching, fever, and even pneumonia in severely affected animals.
Bordetella can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected dog, respiratory secretions in the air, or even through shared, contaminated surfaces. While treatable in most cases, vaccination for Bordetella is recommended—and required, in some cases—for dogs who will be in close contact with other canines, such as in boarding facilities or obedience classes.
Leptospira
Leptospirosis describes the condition caused by bacteria belonging to the genus, Leptospira. These spiral-shaped organisms are found in soil and stagnant water such as puddles, ponds, and shallow lakes. Dogs and wildlife commonly become infected with Leptospira by drinking contaminated water and passing the bacteria on to other animals through their urine. Like rabies, “lepto” is zoonotic and can be spread to humans, potentially causing severe kidney or liver failure. Signs of infection in dogs may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes), fatigue, lethargy, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased drinking and urination.
Leptospirosis can cause severe disease in dogs and may even prove fatal. However, not all dogs are at risk for infection, and so vaccination is typically reserved for dogs who spend time outdoors in nature, who may come in contact with wildlife, or who frequent lakes or ponds.
Lyme Disease
Borrelia burgdorferi, the tick-borne bacterium which causes Lyme disease, leads to similar signs in both humans and pets. Affected individuals may experience joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, loss of appetite, or reddened skin near the area of a tick bite. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause internal damage to the heart, kidney, and even the brain.
While treatable with antibiotics, Lyme disease can go unnoticed in pets with minor signs of infection. Owners of at-risk dogs should monitor their pets for early signs of disease and use routine tick prevention. Vaccination should be considered for dogs who reside in Lyme-endemic areas or who may travel to these regions.
Typical Vaccination Schedule for Puppies and Adult Dogs
While there may be minor variations in vaccination schedules among veterinarians, most will agree on a general timeline and will work with you to determine the best immunization plan for your individual pet. A conventional vaccine schedule for puppies looks a little like this:
- 6 to 8 weeks old (1 to 2 months): During this age range, you should arrange to have your puppy vaccinated for DA2P or DA2PP, which provides protection against parvovirus, adenovirus 1 and 2, distemper, and parainfluenza, if necessary. Additionally, your puppy can also receive a Bordetella vaccine during this time (or even earlier).
- 9 to 12 weeks (2 to 3 months): Up until the fourth month of life, puppies require a series of booster vaccines to help develop a robust immune response. A second DA2P or DA2PP vaccine will be administered during this timeframe. Many non-core vaccines are initiated at this age as well, including leptospira and Lyme disease immunizations, however, these can also be started later in life.
- 12 to 18 weeks (3 to 4 months): A final DA2P/DA2PP vaccine is given at around 15 to 17 weeks old. Puppies should also receive their initial rabies vaccination between three and four months of age.
- 12 to 16 months: Within one year following the last dose of DA2P/DA2PP and rabies vaccinations, juvenile dogs should receive additional boosters for these diseases.
- Every year: If your adult dog continues to benefit from any non-core vaccinations, these will likely need to be boostered on a yearly basis (or more frequently). Yearly non-core vaccines include those for leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and Bordetella.
- Every 3 years: After the initial rabies booster, your pet will continue to require rabies vaccines throughout their life. The frequency of boosters will depend on the timing of your pet’s vaccinations and your state laws. Commonly, dogs will need an additional rabies immunization every 3 years if previous vaccines were administered on time.
Depending where and when you adopt your puppy, some vaccines may have already been given prior to your new companion coming home. Always ask for your puppy’s vaccination history and provide this information to your veterinarian.
When Is It Safe For Puppies To Play?
Playing with other dogs is essential to your puppy’s social development, but it must be done safely. Your veterinarian will have recommendations for your individual pet, but here are some general guidelines to follow, by age:
- From six to eight weeks: Puppies who have received their initial DA2P/DA2PP and Bordetella vaccines can safely attend controlled socialization or obedience classes with other healthy, vaccinated pups. Owners should avoid taking their young puppy to areas with large populations of unknown dogs such as dog parks.
- After nine to twelve weeks: If you haven’t already signed your puppy up for a socialization class, now is the time to do so. Puppies can also visit the groomer for short visits, if necessary.
- By four to five months: Once your puppy has received their final DA2P/DA2PP immunization and their initial rabies vaccine, they can slowly begin meeting unfamiliar dogs and spend more time in pet stores and at the groomer.
Of course, use caution around other dogs and pets, as no vaccine can guarantee immunity to any disease. Avoid any obviously sick animals and never allow your puppy to play with wild animals. Use your best judgement and your veterinarian’s recommendations when making decisions regarding your puppy’s social and physical health.
The quality of your dog’s life is as important to them as it is to you. Providing timely vaccines is the best way to keep their tails wagging while they provide a lifetime of love and companionship. When choosing the proper schedule for puppy vaccines, you want a veterinarian with heart, commitment, and first-hand knowledge. The staff at Penny Paws Animal Clinic sees your puppy throughout this process, offering expert advice and guidance based on their history, lifestyle, and other factors.
Contact us at our Texas clinic and learn more about how we provide your best friend with weekend vaccinations and telemedicine services.