Your Complete Guide to First-year Puppy Vaccinations

First-year puppy vaccinations help protect your puppy from various diseases that spread fast among unvaccinated pets. Most of the conditions are severe and sometimes life-threatening. Your pet enjoys a long, happy, and healthy life when vaccinated. Read on to learn more.

Rabies

This transmittable viral disease has a significant effect on the central nervous system. The rabies vaccine is a legal requirement in the United States and is offered at 12 weeks, with a booster after one year. An additional one often happens after three years. However, it depends on your state’s guidelines.

Bordetella

Kennel cough occurs due to Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. The vaccine protects against infection. You can administer it differently—via injection, nasal, or oral. Timing is determined by the mode you choose. Injection happens at eight weeks, nasal at three or four weeks, and oral at eight weeks.

The oral method of vaccination will require a booster every year. The injection will happen twice, with another one after two or four weeks from the initial one at eight weeks.

DHPP

These vaccines protect against four diseases. The ailments include:

Distemper
Hepatitis
Parvovirus
Parainfluenza

Your puppy will need the vaccination when it is at six weeks. They will continue getting it after two or four weeks, then get their last one when they reach six weeks.

Lyme Disease

The bacteria in ticks spread this disease. Ensure your little furry friend gets vaccinated when they are at eight weeks. Your vet administers another one after two or four weeks. You will need to take your pet for a booster shot every year. Still, it is ideal to note that this vaccine depends on your puppy’s lifestyle.

Leptospira

Your pet can get kidney disease from Leptospira bacteria. They need to get the vaccine at eight weeks; the vet gives the shots twice. Your pup can get it again two or four weeks after the initial one. It will be receiving annual Leptospira boosters.

Vaccination Schedule

Below is a first-year puppy vaccination schedule used generally:

Six to eight weeks – The recommended vaccines are parvovirus or distemper. Bordetella is also an optional one.
At 10 to 12 weeks – The recommended vaccines are parvovirus, parainfluenza, and DHPP. Other options can be Bordetella, influenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis based on lifestyle
16 to 18 weeks – Rabies or DHPP. Use Bordetella, Lyme disease, influenza, or leptospirosis depending on lifestyle.
12 to 16 months – Rabies or DHPP. Other optional ones include Lyme disease, leptospirosis, coronavirus, and Bordetella.
After one or two years – DHPP. Use Lyme disease, influenza, Bordetella, leptospirosis, and coronavirus vaccines based on lifestyle.
After one to three years – The law requires a rabies vaccine.

Plan for the Health of Your Puppy

Everyone wants their canine companions to live their best happy life on earth. One of the essential steps to ensuring this happens is getting them vaccinated. Your puppy should follow the vaccination schedule to ensure they do not miss a single shot. Regular visits to the vet are vital to check their health and response to the vaccines.

For more information about first-year puppy vaccinations, call Woodstock Veterinary Clinic at (506) 328-8248 to reach us in Woodstock, New Brunswick.