Puppy Shots Schedule: What Shots Do Puppies Need?

If you just got a new puppy, you may now be looking into what all your puppy will need to stay healthy and happy. Puppies not only need food, water, toys, and treats but also will need to be vaccinated. Most veterinarians will give you a schedule where they need to be vaccinated every 3 to 4 weeks. This article will break down what all shots are necessary for your puppy and when it is a great time to get them done.

In addition to love and care, your dog will need food, a bed, toys, bowls, and routine veterinary care. All these things will ensure that your pet lives a long and healthy life. Your veterinarian can help you with what vaccination your dog needs and send you reminders to come in for an appointment.

There are many different types of vaccinations that your dog will get. Some of these vaccinations are a combination of a few different viruses, and some are just one. These are some of the most common illnesses that veterinarians vaccinate puppies for.

Canine Distemper attacks the respiratory system, the GI system, and the nervous system. This virus is spread through sneezing, coughing, and shared water and food bowls. Signs commonly associated with distemper include discharge from the eyes and nose, coughing, vomiting, seizures, diarrhea, twitching, and possibly even death. This disease is commonly known as “hard pad” because it makes the pads of the feet hard. There is no known cure for this disease. Many pets who get distemper will die from this virus, but there are a few who do survive.

This is the primary cause of kennel cough. This disease is easily spread between the dog in boarding and grooming facilities. This is seen when a dog has a goose honking cough. Common signs seen with kennel cough are hacking, whooping, coughing, and sometimes even vomiting. Your puppy can be vaccinated to help prevent this disease. CBD can help reduce inflammation and discomfort if your dog does contract this disease.

Parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough commonly seen in dogs. 

This is a prevalent and potentially deadly disease in unvaccinated puppies. This disease causes bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and inappetence. If your dog gets this virus, your pet may need to be hospitalized for treatment. While many survive this disease, it can potentially be deadly.

This virus attacks the GI tract but can also cause respiratory issues as well. Coronavirus causes loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. There are no drugs that will treat this virus. Most dogs are treated based on what symptoms they display.

The rabies virus affects the central nervous system. Many neurological signs are seen in animals. There is no treatment for this disease and is 100% deadly. There are laws about vaccinations that vary from area to area.

Lyme disease is spread via tick exposure. This disease affects the heart, kidney, and joints. Dogs do not have the same visual signs as human infections. If your dog has recently had tick exposure and now seems sick, ask your veterinarian about Lyme disease.

This is a typical vaccine schedule that many veterinarians follow.

• At 6-8 Weeks: Distemper, Parainfluenza, and Parvo (DAPP), Kennel Cough
• At 10-12 Weeks: DAPP, Kennel Cough
  
• At 12-24 Weeks: Rabies, this will vary depending on the law where you live.
  
• At 14-16 Weeks: DAPP
  
• At 12-16 months: DAPP and Rabies
• At 1-2 years: after your pet receives their 1-year old vaccines, they will only need booster shots every 1-3 years, depending on local laws and vaccination. Your dog will usually get a DAPP vaccine every 1 to 3 years and a rabies vaccine depending on what the local law requires.
  

All these vaccines are essential to keep your pets healthy and happy. Your veterinarian will help you with a schedule on what vaccines are needed. Each location will have different requirements since some diseases are more prevalent in certain areas than others. By keeping your pet vaccinated, you are helping keep them well and not spread diseases that are very easily preventable.