Your Puppy’s Shots

Puppies receive their earliest immunizations fro their mother’s first milk containing colostrums, but thereafter will need a series of three or four vaccinations to maintain immunization against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. In some areas, a leptospirosis shot is included. The inoculations should be spaced three to four weeks apart, and it is important to complete the series., because the immunization passed on to the puppies by their mother may override the early inoculations. If the immunization schedule is not maintained, the puppy will be left with no protection against these serious diseases.
Most veterinarians administer the “galaxy inoculations”, giving the various vaccines at one time. Don’t be alarmed if your puppy exhibits signs of grogginess afterwards, or experiences swelling in the area of the shot.
The DHPP (or DHLPP) inoculation requires an annual booster if your pet is to remain immune. Most vets will mail out reminders to their clients when inoculations are due, but it’s a good idea to mark the date on your own calendar just to be safe.
Rabies inoculations, once given typically at 6 months of age, now are administered at three to four months. The first rabies shot is valid for one year; thereafter, if given promptly, rabies inoculation are good for two or three years, depending on your state of residence and your own veterinarian’s recommendation and preference.
Certain other inoculations are optional and should be discussed with your veterinarian. Lyme vaccine, given in an initial series of inoculations, is available, as is coronavirus vaccine. If your puppy (or adult dog) is to be kenneled at any time during the year, you should immunize him against bordatella (kennel cough). An intranasal vaccine usually is administered every year to ward off this upper respiratory ailment.