Basic vaccination schedule for puppies

When do puppies ideally need their vaccination shots?

Puppies (and full-grown dogs) ideally should receive their vaccination on a regular basis as a way to remain healthy, but life can be chaotic enough planning your own doctor appointments, or those of your kids, so who can remember if the doggo’s had their shots recently?

That’s where PetMD comes to the rescue, providing a basic schedule of routine vaccination dates.

At six to eight weeks old, puppies should get their first dose of the DAP vaccine, which covers distemper, adenovirus/hepatitis and parvovirus as a core treatment, while being treated for bordetella and parainfluenza is also a good idea, though not required.

At 10 to 12 weeks old, puppies should get their second DAP dose, while being treated for leptospirosis, Lyme disease and canine influenza is also a smart plan.

At 14 to 16 weeks old puppies need their final DAP vaccination, while PetMD notes that vets tend to like to wait until dogs are at least four months old to do this. They also need a rabies vaccination around this time, and if they haven’t already gotten leptospirosis, Lyme disease and canine flu shots, then it’s a good idea.

From then on, a yearly rabies shot, along with vaccinations for bordetella, leptospirosis, Lyme disease and canine flu, are needed.

Some states have laws that require a 3-year dose for rabies and DAP shots, so check with your local vet for more details on that.

As PetMD explains in another post, rabies shots are required by law, and rabies is a neurological virus that can kill pets, wildlife and people (this is why Old Yeller died).

Distemper can result in pneumonia, encephalitis and death, which is extra bad, because it’s also highly contagious among dogs.

Adenovirus can cause upper respiratory infections and liver and kidney failure, among other serious symptoms.

Parvo usually strikes puppies, and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. It’s usually deadly.

Bordetella and canine parainfluenza are related to kennel cough, which usually get better on their own, but also could cause pneumonia.

Canine flu is simply the flu for dogs, which causes runny noses, coughing and a low fever.

Leptospirosis can happen to people or dogs, and causes kidney and liver failure. It’s highly transmittable by water, especially in rural areas.

Lyme disease is caused by tick bites, and can cause everything from fatigue, fevers and in severe cases, kidney failure. It can strike people, too, and isn’t something to be trifled with.

While our friend Deke-Henri Furry the Jack Russell Terrier isn’t especially a fan of getting his vaccinations, he’s demonstrated how to be a good patient.

While most vaccinations ought to be done by a licensed vet, some can also be done at home. We hope your dog doesn’t have to worry about any of these diseases, but if so, be sure to talk to your local vet.