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Your Complete Guide to First-Year Puppy Vaccinations

You’ve brought home your new best friend, and the pup is a happy, lovable little guy or girl. Your new puppy will rely on you for pretty much everything for the next year of life—from good food to proper training. One major factor in making sure your new puppy gets all the care it needs is puppy vaccinations. The bulk of dog vaccinations should be given within the first year of life. Here is a closer look at a puppy vaccinations schedule to follow for the first 12 months of your new pal’s life. 

Puppy Vaccinations

Puppy Vaccinations Explained

Just like humans, canines can be prone to certain illnesses. Puppy vaccinations given at the appropriate time in a dog’s life can help to protect the dog from the most prevalent risks. For example, parvovirus is a highly contagious, highly dangerous canine viral infection with a very low survival rate. Puppy vaccinations to build the dog’s immunity to agents like parvovirus can offer the best chance they will not be in danger. Additionally, very few puppy vaccinations side effects are noticeable. 

Puppy Vaccinations for the First Year

Even though there is a general guideline of a puppy vaccinations schedule to follow, each dog can have its own specific needs. Further, some dog breeds can be more at risk for certain ailments than others, and some dogs may have lifestyle factors that require certain vaccinations. Therefore, it is best to discuss the specific schedule for your new puppy with your vet. The vaccinations given within the first year can be divided into those that are usually recommended and those that may be optional depending on certain circumstances. 

Recommended Puppy Vaccinations 

  • Distemper – First given at 6-8 weeks, with repeat doses in a combined DHPP vaccination at 10-12 weeks, 16-18 weeks, and 1 year 
  • Parvovirus – First given at 6-8 weeks, with repeat doses in a combined DHPP vaccination at 10-12 weeks, 16-18 weeks, and 1 year 
  • DHPP (Distemper, Adenovirus [hepatitis], Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) – First vaccination at 10-12 weeks, then at 16-18 weeks and 1 year 
  • Rabies – First given at 16-18 weeks and then at 1 year 

Optional Puppy Vaccinations 

  • Bordetella – First given at 6-8 weeks, and then at 10-12 weeks, 16-18 weeks, and 1 year 
  • Canine Influenza – First given at 10-12 weeks, and then at 16-18 weeks and 1 year
  • Leptospirosis – First given at 10-12 weeks, and then at 16-18 weeks and 1 year
  • Lyme Disease – First given at 10-12 weeks, and then at 16-18 weeks and 1 year
  • Coronavirus – First given at 1 year 

Dog Vaccinations Protect Your Canine for Now and the Future 

Overall, vaccinations protect your dog and ensure he or she is not at risk for some pretty scary diseases. Be sure to discuss vaccinations with your veterinarian and create a schedule to follow specific to your dog. 

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