Puppy Vaccinations

Very young puppies are susceptible to infectious disease because their immune systems are not yet fully mature. They receive protection through antibodies in their mother’s milk, but the protection is not long-lasting, and there may be gaps in protection as the milk antibodies decrease and their immune system is still maturing.

What vaccinations do you provide to new puppies?

To provide optimal protection against disease in the first few months of life, a series of vaccinations are scheduled usually 3-4 weeks apart starting at 8 weeks of age. In some cases, the vaccine schedule may be adjusted based on the age, size and exposure risk.

We vaccinate your puppy as follows:

• 8 weeks of age: Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvo, +/- Corona
• 12 weeks of age: Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvo
• 16 weeks of age: Parvo and Rabies

Additionally, Bordetella (kennel cough) and Lyme vaccines can be administered as early as 12 weeks. Lyme vaccine requires a booster dose in 3-4 weeks.

Why is it important to vaccinate your puppy?

Puppy vaccinations should be administered on a veterinarian-recommended schedule, and none in the core series should be skipped. Puppy vaccines are given in a recommended order to prevent diseases that can be deadly to puppies or cause significant illness. Maternal antibodies disappear by the age of 14 to 16 weeks, and the reason for the veterinarian recommended schedule is to give the puppy protection for each disease as the maternal antibodies weaken and disappear.

At what age should I bring my puppy for their vaccinations?

It’s best to get your puppy examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. During the exam, the veterinarian will look at your puppy’s medical and vaccination history. If the breeder or shelter has recently vaccinated your puppy, a schedule for follow-up vaccinations will be made based on your puppy’s particular needs.

How should I prepare my puppy for their first vaccination visit?

Your puppy will have a full physical examination before any vaccines are given. To prepare for the exam, touching your puppy’s paws, ears, mouth, and tail can be helpful for him/her to get used to being examined. Please bring any paperwork or medical records from the shelter or breeder along with you to the appointment. The veterinarian will include these documents in your puppy’s file. If you have any questions or concerns about your puppy’s health, feeding routine, parasite prevention and treatment or spaying and neutering, feel free to let your veterinarian know at the time of your visit. It is also very important to remember to bring your puppy to the hospital on a leash or in a kennel to make sure they are safe at all times.

How much do puppy vaccinations cost?

Please call us at 204-489-9111 to speak to one of our team members and discuss pricing.