Puppy Shot Schedule

You've added a new little addition to your family, but now what do you do.  Puppies require love, attention and the basics for survival, which includes medical treatment.  Every puppy, starting at six weeks, should start a puppy shot schedule.  While every puppy get antibodies from their mother through birth and the first few days of feedings, those wear off quickly and your new puppy should be provided with immunizations to protect them from diseases they will not naturally develop a resistance to. 

Types Of Diseases Immunizations Protect Against

With the cocktail of puppy shots puppies get, there is a wide array of illnesses that are covered in them.  While not all of these illnesses are fatal, they may cause serious complications if they are contracted. 

• Canine Distemper- an airborne viral infection that affects the lungs, intestines and neurological areas of canines.  Twitches, seizures and convulsions are associated with the later stages of the disease.
• Hepatitis- a viral liver disease that causes fever, depression, vomiting and various bleeding disorders.
• Leptospirosis- a severe urinary tract infection that is caused by certain strains of bacteria.
• Rabies- the most commonly known, this fatal disorder causes extreme aggression, confusion and foaming at the mouth.
• Parvovirus- an intestinal virus
• Parainfluenza- a very contagious and infectious type of bronchitis.
• Bordetella- better known as kennel cough, this is a serious bacteria infection of the respiratory system.
• Corona- another type of viral disease that infects the intestinal tract.
• Lyme Disease- an infection spread by tick bites.

All of these various diseases can be prevented, with a fairly high success rate, is you follow a puppy shot schedule.  This schedule of the normal immunizations every dog should have is best planned out by your veterinarian, and followed very closely.  Many of these illnesses are most commonly caught by dogs who are between 6 weeks and a year in age, the same general time frame your puppy should be getting their shots.

The Types Of Shots

There are basically five types of shots your puppy should be given.  Many protect against a number of diseses, while others are targeted towards one specific disease.  Each shot is taken on a different schedule, and some are repeated every so often to ensure the protection provided continues.

• DHLPP- protects against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus.
• Corona- this protects against Corona, the intestinal infection.
• Bordetella- this shot may not be required, but if your puppy will be boarded or traveling a lot, it may be a good idea to get this one.
• Rabies- this shot is a general requirement, since if your puppy gets out and doesn't have this tag on, he may be tested for the virus if they should happen to bite someone.  The test can be fatal in dogs.
• Lyme- this protects against Lyme disease and many of the complication associated with it.  Even if your dog is an inside dog, this is a good idea since ticks can jump on a dog even if they are only outside for a short time.

The Puppy Shot Schedule

Your veterinarian should be the one to decide on the schedule for your puppy's vaccinations.  They will vary slightly based on the dog, and your veterinarian will determine this schedule on their first visit, which should be right after you get the puppy.  Unlike popular misconceptions, boosters are given at certain periods of time throughout the dogs life, and no matter what size the dog, they will receive the same amount of vaccination. Most puppies will follow this schedule of shots, or at least one fairly close to it.

• 6-8 Weeks- your puppy will be given their first shots, which are DHLPP and Corona.
• 11-12 Weeks- another round of the same shots are given, along with the Lyme disease shot.
• 15-16 Weeks- the third round of DHLPP and Corona is given, along with the Lyme disease.
• After 16 Weeks- the first rabies vaccination.
• 7-9 months- the first heartworm test is given.
• 1 year- second rabies vaccination and the Bordetella shot.