Puppy Vaccination Information

Puppies require a series of vaccines to protect their health.

Vaccinations provide puppies with immunity against many contagious and catastrophic diseases. Some vaccines, such as the rabies vaccine, are required by law. While all vaccinations can pose a potential for risks, these risks should be weighed against the benefit of protecting your puppy's health.

Newborn Puppy Immunity

Newborn puppies receive maternal antibodies from their mother's milk. These antibodies provide them with some protection against canine diseases.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Puppies are given a series of vaccinations from the ages of 6 to 16 weeks of age. At this time the maternal antibodies begin disappearing, so the series of booster shots serve to protect puppies from gaps in immune protection.

Puppy Core Vaccines

The most important vaccinations your puppy should receive include the Rabies, Parvovirus, Distemper and Adenovirus-2 vaccines.

Puppy Noncore Vaccines

Based on your puppy's lifestyle and geographical location, your veterinarian may also recommend your puppy be vaccinated against the Distemper-Measles virus, Parainfluenza, Bordetella, Leptospira and Lyme disease.

Vaccine Risks

Most vaccine risks are mild and include swelling at the injection site, fever and sluggishness. Signs of allergic reaction, such as facial or leg swelling, vomiting or diarrhea, itchiness, and difficulty breathing, seizure or collapse should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian.

References

• American Animal Hospital Association: 2006 AAHS Canine Vaccine Guidelines, Revised
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Vaccinations
• American Veterinary Medical Association: What You Should Know About Vaccinations

Resources

• American Kennel Club: Health Information