Vaccinations for Puppies and Dogs

Why is it important to vaccinate puppies?

Newborn puppies have this maternal immunity received by their mother that only last a week. This is why vaccines are very important at an early stage of your pet’s life. Vaccination is the first line of defense for preventable diseases. It is important to protect puppies as soon as possible to start building up their immunity.

At what age should puppies receive their first vaccines?

Puppies can receive their first vaccines between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Some vaccines then need to be given approximately once a month until at least 16 weeks of age.

How should I prepare my puppy for their first vaccination visit?

First of all, please give us a call to book your puppy’s first appointment! Remember that before bringing your puppy into the hospital, it is a good idea to start working on socialization so that they will not be scared. Bring along his favourite food, treats or toy to help distract them, and don’t forget a sample of poop so that your veterinary team can have it examined for parasites. Also, if you have any medical or vaccine records, please bring though along as well.

What vaccines do dogs need?

Even after getting their vaccine injections in their puppy phase, dogs need to continue getting vaccinated throughout their life. Certain vaccines are required by law or referred to by us in the veterinary field as “core vaccines” while others are optional, and can be prescribed depending on you and your pet’s lifestyle and environment. Below are some of the vaccines that adult dogs typically receive:

• Adenovirus
• Bordetella
• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Lyme disease
• Parvovirus
• Rabies

How often should dogs get their vaccines?

At Animal 911, we follow the vaccination protocol as recommended by AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association). The vaccine scheduled for your dog will depend on your dog specific medical history, previous vaccinations and age. There are vaccines that need to be taken every 3 years, for example. These are usually formulations of vaccines against rabies, parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis. Our team will make sure your dog gets everything that they need and that they do not fall behind on their vaccine schedule.

What is the difference between core and non-core vaccines?

Non-core vaccines are optional and core vaccines are mandatory. When a vaccine is considered non-core, these are the factors we based on: your pet’s lifestyle, your geographic region and their age.