When Should Your Dog Get Vaccinations?
Written by Kealy Fitzsimmons, a veterinary student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine.
We know vaccines are crucial to protecting your dog against the world around them. Vaccines stimulate your pet’s immune system (just like in humans) so if they do come into contact with the disease, they will have the appropriate antibodies to fight off the disease or help the disease be less severe.
You can find in-depth information on these vaccines here at the Vetted website:
Now the big question is, when does my pet need to get these vaccines?
Core vaccines:
Rabies
Your puppy can get a single dose no earlier than 12 weeks of age and no later than 16 weeks. After that, a second dose is required within 1 year following the initial dose. After that, you may have the option to choose between a 1 or 3-year vaccine.
Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus +/- parainfluenza
Your dog can begin getting this vaccine as early as 6 weeks and should get booster doses of this vaccine every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
After your dog has had their initial puppy vaccines they should get a 1-year booster the following year. Then after that 1-year booster, they can get a 3-year vaccine the following year.
Non-core vaccines:
Leptospirosis and Lyme Disease
These vaccines are an initial 2 dose vaccine. The initial vaccine can be administered as early as 8-9 weeks. Then the 2nd dose should be administered 2-4 weeks after the initial. Then one yearly booster is required for both.
Bordetella bronchiseptica aka Kennel Cough
There are 3 types of this vaccine: subcutaneous (under the skin) like all other vaccines, intranasal and oral vaccines.
With the subcutaneous version, two initial doses are required, with the second one being 2-4 weeks after the initial.
Both the intranasal and oral versions are one vaccine; with the oral being preferred due to its flavoring and ease of administration.
All three versions of the vaccine need to have a booster annually.
Canine Influenza
The initial vaccine can be given to dogs 6-8 weeks of age or older and should get a booster one time after the initial vaccine in 2-4 weeks. Then it is also a yearly booster.
& here’s a simpler breakdown.
6-8 weeks old: DAPP (core), +/- bordetella (non-core), canine influenza (non-core)
8-12 weeks old: DAPP (core), +/- canine influenza (non-core), leptospirosis (non-core), lyme disease (non-core)
12-16 weeks old: DAPP (core), rabies (core),
Yearly: DAPP (core), Rabies (core), +/- leptospirosis (non-core), lyme disease (non-core), bordetella (non-core), canine influenza (non-core)
Every 3 years if available: DAPP (core), rabies (core)
Vetted is a membership plan that focuses on your pet’s preventative health. Vetted focuses on empowering pet parents to take control of their pet’s preventive health and guide them through pet parenthood. We want our members to feel confident in caring for their pet’s health and focus on having fun and enjoying life with their pets. A Vetted membership includes; reimbursement on preventative health vet services, preventative health products right to your door, and a 24/7 virtual vet chat.
In your Vetted membership, members will be reimbursed for preventive health vet services, and that includes crucial vaccines. You will also receive notifications that remind you when vet services and vaccines are coming due. You never have to worry again about choosing between the right services because Vetted has your back and you can get back to focusing on the more important things- having fun and enjoying life with your pet.
Resources:
You can always download the Vetted app or email our team directly at love@getvetted.io
