These will include the core vaccines, which are administered in a series of three: at 6-, 12-, and 16 weeks old. The core vaccines include the DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza). Your pup will also need a rabies vaccination, which is usually around $15—20.
Puppies are often a beloved addition to many households, however, when bringing a new puppy home, it is important to ensure that all of their vaccinations are up to date. Vaccinations are critical for protecting puppies from deadly diseases, and also for protecting their new family from exposure to these illnesses. Knowing when these vaccinations need to be administered is important for a puppy’s health and wellbeing. In this post, we will explore at what age puppies have all their shots, and how to ensure that the puppies’ vaccinations stay up to date. We will discuss the importance of vaccinations for puppies, the shots that puppies need, and the schedule for administration of these shots. Whether this is your first puppy or you are a seasoned dog owner, it is essential to understand the importance of vaccinations and when puppies should have them.
When do puppies need booster shots?
Abstaining from booster shots can put your puppy at risk. However, not all vaccines require yearly boosters.
DHPP vaccine booster: every two weeks for a total of three sets, then every three years
Lepto, Canine influenza, and Lyme disease vaccine booster: one month after the initial series, then annually
Bordetella booster: 1 year (or every 6 months where there is a concern)
Rabies booster: every 1 to 3 years after the initial round, depending on state laws
The price of puppy vaccinations will vary depending on a number of factors, including your location. For instance, veterinarians in large cities typically charge more than those in smaller cities and rural areas.
However, the average cost can range from $75 to $100. These include the essential vaccinations, which are given in a series of three at ages six, twelve, and sixteen weeks. The rabies vaccine usually costs about $15 to $20.
Given that you need to get puppy shots in its first year rather than every one to three years, they are typically more expensive than the dog vaccines.
Vaccination is a great way to give your puppy immunity to infectious diseases and ensure that they’re as safe and healthy as they can be.
All puppies need to get the core vaccines, i.e. be immunized against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, and Rabies. Non-core vaccines include Bordetella, Lyme disease, and Canine Influenza, and should be considered based on your pet’s exposure risk — lifestyle and where you live.
Your veterinarian will consider the risk factors and advise you on which vaccines are best for your puppy during the first vet visit.
Recommended vaccines for puppies
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) breaks down their dog vaccination recommendations into two categories: Core vaccines and non-core vaccines. We’ll walk you through the details of each type and which are needed for puppies.
Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs. Based on exposure risk, human transmission potential, and disease severity, these vaccinations are essential for all puppies.
According to the AAHA’s guidelines, core vaccinations for puppies include:
Canine distemper virus: Distemper is caused by the canine distemper virus; it’s highly contagious and can be spread by contact with an infected dog. This serious disease has no cure and can be fatal. Symptoms range widely and can include diarrhea, vomiting, cough, discharge from the eyes and nose, and, in some cases, seizures.
Adenovirus-2: The adenovirus-2 vaccine is designed to protect puppies against two serotypes- CAV-1 and CAV-2. CAV-2 causes respiratory disease, also known as kennel cough, while CAV-1 causes hepatitis. Clinically, veterinarians are most concerned with protecting your dog against the canine infectious hepatitis virus caused by CAV-1. This viral infection causes an inflammation of the liver and is spread through urine or feces, as well as eye and nose discharge of infected animals. Signs of the disease range from upper respiratory symptoms to fever, anorexia, cloudy eyes and collapse. Mortality rates up to 30 percent have been reported. Maternal antibodies for this virus begin to decrease between 5-7 weeks of age, so early vaccination is critical.
Parvovirus: Canine parvovirus, also called “parvo” is another highly contagious viral disease that affects the gastrointestinal system and heart muscle. Parvo is typically spread through the feces of an infected dog, which is why cleaning up after our dogs is so important. Parvo is most common in puppies, especially unvaccinated dogs under one year of age. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. There is no cure for canine parvovirus – aggressive treatment with hospitalization is important for the best chance at recovery.
Parainfluenza virus: Along with adenovirus, the parainfluenza virus causes kennel cough. As the name suggests, coughing is the most common symptom of the disease, but other signs can include runny eyes and nose, loss of appetite, and wheezing. Signs will be more severe when there is co-infection with other respiratory pathogens. Kennel cough is passed very easily from dog to dog – environments that house many dogs at once, like kennels or dog parks, may have a higher risk of spreading the virus. There is no specific cure for kennel cough, but most infections resolve in a few weeks with rest and supportive care.
Tip: One multivalent vaccine frequently contains all four of the aforementioned antigens. Your veterinarian may refer to these single-dose vaccine injections as parvo vaccine, DAPP, DHPP, or distemper vaccine at the veterinary clinic. In some situations, parainfluenza is administered along with the bordetella vaccine covered below.
Rabies: Rabies is a fatal disease caused by the rabies virus, transmitted when an infected mammal bites your dog. The rabies virus attacks the nervous system, and causes symptoms including foaming at the mouth, excessive drooling, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, aggression, or other changes in behavior. Since there is no treatment for this fatal disease, vaccination is essential. Rabies vaccines are required by law in most states.
Although non-core vaccinations are not advised for all dogs, your vet may advise them based on your puppy’s lifestyle, geographic location, current health conditions, and other risk factors. Ask yourself, “Will I take my dog to boarding, grooming, dog parks, camping, hiking, on airplanes, or traveling to rattlesnake or racoon country?” before visiting the veterinarian. Be sure to let your vet know the answer.
For instance, your veterinarian might advise certain non-core vaccinations, such as bordetella and canine influenza, if you intend to enroll your puppy in daycare. They might even be needed by the facility as a preventative measure before boarding. It’s crucial to give your puppy enough time to develop a defense mechanism before leaving for playtime.
Non-core vaccinations for puppies include:
Bordetella bronchiseptica: Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterium that causes kennel cough. The symptoms are similar to the ones dogs experience from viral kennel cough – cough, loss of appetite, runny nose, and sneezing. The bordetella vaccine is typically recommended for dogs that are frequently exposed to other dogs, such as those who attend daycare, go to boarding facilities, visit dog parks, or start dog training classes. The bordetella vaccine can be given on its own, or combined with the parainfluenza vaccine. This vaccine can be given by various routes and as part of varied protocols. Check with your boarding facility to determine what is required and consult with your veterinarian about what protocol will provide the best protective immunity.
Leptospira: Leptospira is a bacterium that causes leptospirosis, a disease that affects the liver and kidneys of dogs. Leptospirosis is often spread through contaminated water and is more common in wooded areas or neighborhoods with rodents and raccoons. Symptoms range based on the severity of disease, but can include fever, lethargy, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drinking. Antibiotics can be used to treat this bacterial infection and are most effective when started early. The leptospirosis vaccine may be recommended for dogs with exposure to lakes, rivers, or other similar bodies of water, as well as those with exposure to farm or wild animals. Hospitals may consider this vaccine a core vaccine in their vaccination protocol.
Borrelia burgdorferi: Borrelia burgdorferi is the bacterium that causes lyme disease. Lyme disease is transmitted through a tick bite, most commonly, the deer tick. The symptoms of lyme disease in dogs can be harder to detect than in humans, but can include fever, refusal to eat, and limping. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, however advanced therapy is indicated for dogs that develop a form of kidney disease called lyme nephritis. The lyme disease vaccine may be recommended for dogs who live in areas where deer ticks are common, such as the Midwest and Eastern U.S. In addition to the vaccine, you can also give your dog monthly tick preventatives to help protect them from Lyme disease.
Canine influenza virus (H3N8 and H3N2): Canine influenza, or dog flu, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by an influenza A virus. Dog flu can be spread through the air, through contaminated objects, or by direct contact. Symptoms of the disease include cough, nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, and reduced appetite. Again, like humans, dogs usually recover within a few weeks – and fluids and rest can help reduce symptoms. There are two forms of the dog flu vaccine to protect against the different strains of the virus: H3N8 and H3N2. The AAHA guidelines state that any dog deemed at risk for canine influenza should receive both vaccines. Risk factors for infection are similar to those associated with kennel cough: dogs that frequent parks, daycare facilities, groomers, etc.
Crotalus atrox: Perhaps less well-known, the crotalus atrox vaccine may help protect your dog against rattlesnake poisoning. If your dog gets bit by a rattlesnake, the toxin from the bite can cause excessive drooling, panting and restlessness, followed by additional symptoms, such as collapse, diarrhea, lethargy, and swelling. The vaccination causes the production of antibodies that will bind to protein fragments in rattlesnake venom. This aids in neutralizing the venom of some crotalid snakes. Although this vaccine will not offer complete immunity from rattlesnake poisoning, it can help decrease the severity of clinical signs. In any case, if your dog is bit by a rattlesnake, they will need emergency veterinary care. This vaccine may be recommended for dogs that live in areas where rattlesnakes are common. Veterinarians administering the vaccine should consult current recommendations for vaccine schedules and research providing evidence of clinical efficacy.
What Are The Core Dog Vaccinations?
Based on a universal risk of exposure, the severity of the disease, and the risk of transmission to other canines as well as other animal species, including humans, core puppy vaccinations and dog vaccinations are thought to be essential for all canines.
The following dog vaccinations are deemed essential by the Canine Task Force of the American Animal Hospital Association:
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Distemper
Hepatitis
Rabies
Bordetella
Canine Influenza (dog flu)
Lyme vaccine
Leptospirosis
Even though these vaccinations are not regarded as essential, they are crucial for the majority of dogs who might be exposed to these contagious diseases. We will be pleased to review which of the aforementioned make the most sense for your dog and provide the appropriate recommendations at your dog’s subsequent appointment.
Most states, including New York, require rabies vaccinations as a legal requirement. Owners are required to regularly vaccinate their dogs and puppies against rabies, but state-specific guidelines on when to do so vary. In New York, puppies are typically vaccinated against rabies between weeks 14 and 16 (but not earlier than week 12), and the vaccine is effective for a year. The rabies vaccination is valid for adult dogs for three years and should be discussed during the first visit for new patients. A puppy, for instance, would get the rabies vaccine at 14 weeks, 1 year, and then once more at age 4.
Not every puppy or dog needs to be immunized against every disease, even though puppy vaccinations and dog vaccinations are crucial for your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. Certain canine vaccinations should only be given based on such things as:
Age
Medical history
Environment
Travel habits
Lifestyle
Therefore, it is crucial that we discuss the vaccination schedule that is appropriate for your dog at your next appointment.
A puppy should typically begin receiving vaccinations as soon as you bring it home (typically between 6 and 8 weeks) and then every two weeks until it is about four months old, at which point it will receive the final round. The puppy will typically receive antibodies in the mother’s milk while nursing if the mother has a strong immune system. Vaccinations should start after a puppy has weaned off of the mother’s milk.
We typically recommend the following vaccination schedule for puppies:
NOTE: A puppy should never receive more than two vaccinations in a single appointment. Smaller puppies may only receive one vaccine at a time.
* DA2PP – distemper, adenovirus type 2 (hepatitis), parvovirus, parainfluenza.
It’s crucial to keep up with your puppy’s vaccination schedule. Medical research has shown that vaccinations for puppies can prevent and treat a number of illnesses and diseases that can develop in the absence of proper immunization. Responsible puppy care is synonymous with following a schedule for puppy vaccinations. In order for your puppy to have the best chance at a lifetime of health and happiness, vaccinations are crucial. Don’t take the chance that your puppy will get one of these terrible diseases when it is so simple to prevent them.
Your veterinarian can start implementing an adult dog vaccination schedule once your puppy reaches adulthood and all of the essential puppy vaccines have been given. Periodic adult boosters*, which are combinations of the same DA2PP vaccine given to puppies and a few other additions, are part of a dog’s vaccination schedule.
Depending on the lifestyle of the dog, we advise booster vaccinations for DA2PP, Lyme, Canine Influenza, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, and Rabies when dogs come in for their first annual checkup.
FAQ
What age do puppies finish shots?
The Typical Puppy Shot Series. The puppy vaccination series typically begins between 6 and 8 weeks of age, with updates and boosters administered every 3 to 4 weeks until the puppy is 16 to 17 weeks old (some puppies may require an additional booster at around 20 weeks, which is particularly true with the “black & tan” breeds).
How many shots do puppies need before going outside?
Your puppy is now prepared to visit the park after receiving their third round of vaccinations at 16 to 18 weeks old.
At what age have puppies had all their shots?
Puppies receive their final dose of DHPP, Bordetella, and Lyme disease vaccinations around the age of four months; at that point, they may be deemed immunized and secure to enter public areas, but be sure to check with your veterinarian first. 16-20 weeks of age