Puppy Vaccinations

Puppies get some antibodies from their mother’s milk that provide some protective immunity for the early months of their lives. Although these antibodies are protective, they can also interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccines we administer. This is why the endpoint for puppy vaccine protocols are the age, not the number of vaccines they receive. We vaccinate our puppies until around 16 weeks of age when we can be sure these antibodies from the mom are not interfering with our vaccines, the immune system is mature enough to provide protection, and we are confident the vaccines are going to protect against these diseases.

What vaccinations do you offer to new puppies?

We offer the same vaccines to puppies as we do for adult dogs. The core vaccines are Rabies and “DA2PPV” vaccine which protects from Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, and Parainfluenza. We also have vaccines available for Lyme Disease, Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and Leptospirosis if we feel the dog will be at risk for these diseases.

Why is it important to properly vaccinate your puppy?

Puppies require a series of vaccinations during their first four months of life. Nursing pups receive antibodies from their mother’s milk that protect them from disease during the first months of life. These same antibodies can prevent a vaccine from being totally effective. Consequently, as maternal antibodies decrease, your Veterinarian will give your pet a series of vaccines over 6 to 16 weeks to give your pet the best possible protection.

What is an appropriate schedule for puppy vaccinations?

Generally, the puppy vaccine series consists of vaccine(s) given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks.

How should you prepare your puppy for their first vaccination visit?

Bring any health records that you may have that include previous vaccination, deworming, microchip numbers or any other veterinary records. Ensure your puppy is on a leash or in a travel kennel to keep them safe. Make the veterinary office an exciting place to go to! Lots of praise make the visit exciting and don’t hesitate to bring some treats along with you!

How much do puppy vaccinations cost?

At PetFocus, we are very proud of our “Puppy Bundles” which include your physical exam, any vaccines we feel your puppy needs, a flea/worm treatment (such as Revolution, Advantage Multi) and a dewormer to be sent home and given at a later date. Please call the hospital and we will be more than happy to explain our great puppy bundles!