What Type of Shots Do Puppies Need?
Puppies need shots to boost their immune system as they grow into adulthood to prevent contagious and life-threatening diseases. Some shots may have been given to the puppy while it was with its mother, so be sure to ask before you take your pet home. To get your puppy off to a healthy start, take it to your veterinarian for a physical exam and continue the recommended immunization schedule.
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Time Frame
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Drs. Rory Foster and Marty Smith, veterinarians who started to the popular Doctors Foster and Smith pet-supply company, recommend that puppies begin vaccinations at 6 weeks old, then repeat every three weeks until 16 weeks old. Starting this early reduces the chance of a contagious disease spreading within the litter.
Rabies
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Rabies is a virus that can pass to humans and other animals, but thanks to aggressive vaccination programs, cases in the U.S. are few. This disease is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through a bite. The virus is slow-moving but heads straight for the brain. There is no treatment for dogs, only prevention. The first rabies vaccination should be given at 12 weeks.
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Parvovirus
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According to Foster and Smith, parvovirus, often shortened as parvo, is the most common infectious disease in dogs in the U.S. It attacks the intestines, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea that can quickly dehydrate a puppy. One strain of the virus attacks the heart, which can lead to sudden death. This highly contagious disease spreads quickly and has a high death rate. According to the Paws & Claws Veterinary Hospital in Pearland, Texas, there is a survival rate of 70 percent, but for puppies and some breeds of dogs, such as dobermans and rottweilers, it can be as low as 30 percent.
Canine Distemper
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This disease can affect multiple organs in the body, leading to death, and spreads rapidly in a kennel environment. The death rate for this disease is quite high, 75 percent, and puppies that recover may suffer permanent nervous-system damage or other physical problems.
Hepatitis, Canine Adenovirus Type 1 (CAV-1)
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This disease affects the liver and other organs in the body and kills quickly. Unvaccinated puppies are particularly vulnerable. There is no cure, only supportive treatment to aid internal symptoms.
Noncrucial Vaccinations
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These include shots for lime disease, measles, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and coronavirus. They aren't considered crucial for all puppies because they apply only to certain animals in high-risk situations, such as kennel environments, but you should discuss the benefits with your veterinarian.
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