Bringing home a brand-new puppy can be one of the most exciting experiences. You want to snuggle, kiss, and cuddle that cute little face constantly! On top of making sure your new pup has plenty of food, water, a comfy bed to rest their head, and a mountain of toys to squeak and chase around, you will have to take them to the vet to ensure they are in proper health to grow into well-rounded adult dogs.
In a dog’s first year of life, there are many routine vaccines that they need to take in order to prevent highly contagious viruses and infectious diseases. Puppy vaccinations are an important part of a healthy life for your pet. In fact, some vaccinations are required by law. Continuous vet visits for these vaccinations may seem like an inconvenience, but the pros of keeping your pup healthy far outweigh the cons.
The most important vaccinations for a puppy include protection from life-threatening diseases such as Bordetella Bronchiseptica, Parvovirus, and Rabies.
In this article, we will discuss the necessary vaccinations a puppy needs, the importance of a puppy vaccination schedule, and the common side effects your puppy may experience following receiving their shots.
How Do Canine Vaccinations Work?
Canine vaccines work in a similar science to the way human vaccines work. By injecting the vaccination, your pup will receive disease-causing microorganisms that have been “deactivated.” By introducing the otherwise highly contagious virus to your puppy’s immune system, a defense will be built. Thus, their bodies will be able to tolerate and fight when they come into contact with the real disease.
Necessary and Recommended Vaccinations For Puppy
Dog owners know that the purpose of puppy vaccines is to protect young dogs from deadly diseases that can be contracted from interacting with their environment and other animals. It’s one of the most important things you can do during your dog’s life. For a puppy, your veterinarian will discuss the core vaccinations and additional vaccines they recommend to prevent common serious diseases and a schedule to complete these shots.
Let’s talk about a schedule and what exactly these vaccines are preventing. Below you will find a chart that shows the recommended vaccines and non-core vaccinations depending on weeks of age and a breakdown of the dangerous illnesses these puppy shots prevent.
| Dog’s Age | Recommended Vaccine | Additional (Non-Core) Vaccines |
| 6 – 8 weeks | Distemper and Parvovirus | Bordetella |
| 10 – 12 weeks | DHPP Vaccine (a combination vaccine that covers Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus) | Canine Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
| 16 – 18 weeks | DHPP and Rabies | Canine Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
| 12 – 16 months | DHPP and Rabies | Canine Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
| 1 – 2 years | DHPP | Canine Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
| 1 – 3 years | Rabies | N/A |
- Canine Distemper
Canine Distemper is a disease that spreads through airborne exposure or shared food/water bowls with an infected animal. The disease is caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous systems of dogs and other animals. Common side effects include discharges from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, and paralysis.
It is one of the most serious diseases on our list, which is why it is included in your puppy’s first round of vaccines. There is no cure for the disease, only treatment for the side effects which hopefully allow the dog’s immune system to fight off the disease itself.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus, Parvo, or CPV is a highly contagious virus. It can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies under four months of age are at the greatest risk of exposure to this virus. Symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and often severe, and bloody diarrhea. Pet owners should know that Parvo can wreak havoc on a dog’s immune system rapidly. There is no cure and the contraction of this virus is often deadly.
The virus can be spread by ingesting the fecal matter of infected dogs. This sounds like it is easy to prevent, but taking your puppy to seemingly safe places such as dog parks or doggy daycare can easily put their life at risk. Making this one of the first shots on your dog’s vaccination schedule is crucial.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine Hepatitis falls into the core DHPP Vaccine that your puppy vaccination schedule should include at 10 weeks, 16 weeks, 12 months, and 2 years. Infectious canine hepatitis affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes of your pup. Severe cases can result in liver failure.
Canine Parainfluenza
This is a highly contagious respiratory virus and the primary cause of kennel cough. Canine Parainfluenza Virus can show itself with symptoms such as coughing, a low-grade fever, nasal discharge, lack of energy, and loss of appetite.
CPIV can be contracted just as humans contract the flu, by coming into direct contact with other infected dogs. Getting this vaccine should be the first thing you should consider if your dog will spend time at grooming facilities, boarding, or daycare.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the animal’s central nervous system. Headache, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, and paralysis can all be caused by this fatal disease. Rabies is most commonly contracted from the bite of a rabid animal.
The rabies vaccination is required by law in most areas of the United States and requires annual boosters. The best way to prevent this, beyond a rabies vaccine, is to avoid wooded areas with wild animals.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica
An infectious bacteria that causes coughing, whooping, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and, in rare cases, seizures and death. The Bordetella vaccine is an important part of your puppy vaccination schedule and will most likely be suggested during your puppy’s vet visit.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is transmitted via ticks, most likely in wooded or rural areas. It can have a terrible effect on your dog’s heart, kidneys, lymph nodes, and joints. You should be concerned if your pup starts limping or refusing to eat. If your dog has been infected, it is important to get medical treatment as quickly as possible. Antibiotics can cure this disease if symptoms are caught early.
Leptospirosis
This disease, unlike most on the list, is considered a zoonotic disease. This means it can be passed from animals to humans.
Sometimes this bacterial infection will exhibit zero symptoms, but in other cases, Leptospirosis bacteria can cause fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, severe weakness and lethargy, stiffness, jaundice, muscle pain, infertility, and kidney failure.
Common Reactions Following a Vaccination Appointment
Following your puppy’s vaccination appointment, you might notice some out-of-character behavior. Usually, this is nothing to worry about and the side effects go away within 1 to 2 days.
Below are a few of the most common side effects:
- Discomfort
- Swelling at the vaccination site
- Mild fever
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Sneezing or snotty nose
- Mild coughing
If your pet continues to experience these symptoms beyond 2-5 days, it is recommended to reach out to your veterinarian, as this may be an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
Summary
A dog’s first year of life will require a lot of work from their pet parent. Young puppies can get themselves into a lot of trouble, which unfortunately can include illnesses and infections. Among food and water, dog vaccinations are a basic need for your canine to live a healthy life. Vaccines can prevent contagious diseases and infections that could be deadly.
When you bring your new puppy home, it is a good idea to give your veterinarian a call or visit to set up a schedule for your dog’s vaccines. They will provide their recommendations when it comes to a vaccination plan that works best for your dog’s lifestyle. There are basic (DHPP and Rabies) vaccines and non-core vaccines recommended, such as the Lyme Disease or Leptospirosis vaccine.
We hope this article has been helpful in learning what shots puppies need, the importance of vaccinations, and the common side effects your puppy may experience.
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