As a pet parent, ensuring our furry friends are taken care of and safe from disease and illness is of the utmost importance. One of the most common and dangerous diseases is rabies. Canine rabies vaccination is the only way to protect against this deadly virus. Knowing at what age a puppy can receive the rabies vaccine is essential for pet owners, as this will ensure they are shielded from the virus as soon as possible. In this blog post, we are going to look at when puppies can get a rabies shot and discuss the importance of vaccinations for a puppy’s health and well-being. We’ll also delve into the myths and facts surrounding rabies vaccination, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to your pet’s health.
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You immediately realize that the little ball of puppy fur depends on you for, well, everything when you bring her into your home. You must provide her with the daily care she requires. It can be a little frightening; she requires the best puppy food, lots of love, gentle training, safe toys, socialization with other puppies, a cozy home, and appropriate veterinary care. And that includes puppy shots throughout her first year.
Even though it may seem inconvenient to bring your dog to the veterinarian on a regular basis over a period of months for vaccinations and then for boosters or titers throughout its lifetime, the diseases that vaccinations protect our pets from are dangerous, potentially fatal, and, thankfully, largely preventable.
Knowing which vaccinations puppies need and which ones are crucial but optional can sometimes be confusing because we read about so many different vaccinations, for so many different illnesses. The diseases that vaccinations will help your pet avoid are listed below.
This bacterium is extremely contagious and can result in severe fits of whooping, vomiting, and, in rare instances, seizures and death. It is the primary cause of kennel cough. There are injectable and nasal spray vaccines available.
Proof of this vaccination is frequently required if you intend to board your puppy, enroll in group training sessions, or use dog daycare services in the future.
Dogs, raccoons, skunks, and other animals can contract distemper, a serious and contagious illness brought on by a virus that attacks the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems of these creatures, through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing from an infected animal). The virus can also spread via shared food, water, and equipment bowls. It results in eye and nasal discharges, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching muscles, paralysis, and, frequently, death. Because it causes the footpad to thicken and harden, this illness was formerly known as “hard pad.”
There is no cure for distemper. Supportive care and measures to avoid secondary infections, manage vomiting, seizure symptoms, and other conditions make up treatment. It is hoped that if the animal endures the symptoms, its immune system will have a chance to fend it off. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months.
A highly contagious viral infection that affects a dog’s liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes is known as infectious canine hepatitis. This liver condition is brought on by a virus unrelated to the human form of hepatitis. The symptoms can range from a mild fever and mucous membrane congestion to vomiting, jaundice, an enlarged stomach, and pain around the liver. The mild form of the illness can be beaten by many dogs, but the severe form can be fatal. There is no cure, but doctors can treat the symptoms.
One of several viruses that can contribute to kennel cough.
The virus that causes COVID-19 in humans is not the same as the canine coronavirus. There is no evidence that COVID-19 makes dogs sick, and it is not believed to pose a health risk to them. Canine coronavirus typically has an impact on a dog’s digestive system, but it can also result in respiratory infections. The majority of GI symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are indicators. No medication can eradicate coronaviruses, but veterinarians can keep a dog hydrated, warm, and comfortable and help with the nausea.
Ask your veterinarian about starting a heartworm preventive when your puppy is between 12 and 16 weeks old. Although there is no vaccine for this illness, your veterinarian will recommend taking heartworm medication on a regular basis to prevent it.
Although they can travel through the rest of the body and occasionally infiltrate the liver and kidneys, these worms typically infest the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries, which carry blood to the lungs. When clumped together, the 14-inch long worms can block and harm organs.
Although early heartworm infections frequently go unnoticed, dogs with advanced heartworm disease may cough, become lethargic, lose their appetite, or have breathing problems. Infected dogs may tire after mild exercise. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, as opposed to the majority of the illnesses listed here, which are passed by urine, feces, and other bodily fluids. As a result, a blood test rather than a fecal exam is used to make the diagnosis.
Also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough results from inflammation of the upper airways. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or other infections, such as Bordetella and canine parainfluenza, and often involves multiple infections simultaneously. Usually, the disease is mild, causing bouts of harsh, dry coughing; sometimes it’s severe enough to spur retching and gagging, along with a loss of appetite. In rare cases, it can be deadly. It is easily spread between dogs kept close together, which is why it passes quickly through kennels. Antibiotics are usually not necessary, except in severe, chronic cases. Cough suppressants can make a dog more comfortable.
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria, unlike the majority of the illnesses on this list, and some dogs may not even exhibit any symptoms. Leptospirosis can be found worldwide in soil and water. It is a zoonotic illness, which means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, extreme weakness and lethargy, stiffness, jaundice, muscle pain, infertility, and kidney failure (with or without liver failure) are just a few of the symptoms that may manifest. The earlier antibiotics are administered, the better because they work.
Dogs do not experience the infamous “bull’s-eye” rash that people who have been exposed to Lyme disease frequently notice. An infectious, tick-borne illness known as Lyme disease (or borreliosis) is brought on by a spirochete, a type of bacteria. A dog with the infection, which is spread by ticks, frequently begins to limp, his lymph nodes swell, his temperature increases, and he stops eating. If untreated, the condition can lead to neurological disorders, among other things, and affect his heart, kidney, and joints. A course of antibiotics is very beneficial if taken promptly after diagnosis, but relapses can happen months or even years later.
All dogs are susceptible to the highly contagious parvo virus, but unvaccinated animals and puppies younger than four months are most at risk. The virus attacks the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, fever, and frequently very severe, bloody diarrhea. Prompt veterinary care is essential because severe dehydration can manifest suddenly and kill a dog in 48 to 72 hours. Since there is no treatment, keeping the dog hydrated and managing the side effects can help him survive until his immune system recovers.
The central nervous system of mammals is invaded by the virus that causes rabies, which results in paralysis, death, hallucinations, excessive drooling, headaches, and anxiety. Most frequently, it is spread by a rabid animal’s bite. Treatment must begin as soon as possible after infection; otherwise, death is very likely. Most states require regular rabies vaccinations. Ask your veterinarian about the rabies vaccination regulations in your area.
Of course, your vet should weigh in and is always available to offer additional insight and advice on required and optional vaccinations.
The first thing to understand is that not all dogs require the same puppy vaccination schedule. Your dog’s particular risk factors and the region of the country you live in will both be important considerations. Some dogs do not need every vaccine. This decision is between you and your veterinarian. Always discuss puppy vaccinations at your regularly scheduled appointments.
Given that, the following is a recommended schedule for puppy vaccinations for the first year.
| Puppy’s Age | Recommended Vaccinations | Optional Vaccinations |
| 6 — 8 weeks | Distemper, parvovirus | Bordetella |
| 10 — 12 weeks | DHPP (vaccines for distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus) | Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease per lifestyle as recommended by veterinarian |
| 16 — 18 weeks | DHPP, rabies | Influenza, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Bordetella per lifestyle |
| 12 — 16 months | DHPP, rabies | Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease |
| Every 1 — 2 years | DHPP | Influenza, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease per lifestyle |
| Every 1 — 3 years | Rabies (as required by law) | none |
The cost of your puppy’s vaccinations depends on a number of variables. Your location is a factor, as busy, expensive urban vets will bill you more than a rural vet in a small town. In other words, there are significant differences in price. However, some vaccines, such as the “core vaccines” and those for rabies, are necessary regardless of the price range.
The cost of the first year’s vaccinations for puppies is higher than it is for adults.
6-8 Weeks of Age:
Everything You Must Know About Vaccinating Your Dog
Dog vaccinations are essential for defending your dog against a variety of harmful and even fatal diseases. While it is required by state law that all dogs receive a rabies vaccination, there are several other vaccinations that can shield your dog from serious illnesses that are easily preventable.
We have spent decades at Lombard Veterinary Hospital spreading the word about the advantages of canine vaccinations. This covers the necessary vaccinations and the recommended scheduling for them. We have been asked every conceivable question about canine vaccinations over the years, and we have compiled some of the most popular ones here for you. This is only intended to be an overview of dog vaccinations. We will be happy to explain the vaccination recommendations for your dog to you at your dog’s subsequent veterinary appointment.
FAQ
What happens if a dog gets a rabies shot too soon?
Due to their dual vaccinations, some dogs exhibit excessive aggression toward both people and other animals. Over-immunization may result in things like: Hypersensitivity of all senses. Coughing, gagging, or choking when swallowing liquids.
How long do rabies shots last for puppies?
Even though all 50 States recognize 3-year rabies vaccines, some State municipalities still demand annual or biannual rabies revaccinations (3). This is despite the fact that virtually all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed rabies vaccines have a minimum 3-year duration.
How many parvo shots do puppies need before going outside?
Puppies receive parvo vaccinations at about 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age. Owners must take extra care during this period to prevent their puppies from contracting the virus since they are susceptible to the illness until they have received all three shots in their vaccination series.