Puppy shots - an owners` guide

Puppy shots are a very important part of routine puppy care, and save lives every day.

Un-vaccinated puppies are vulnerable to all sorts of infections and diseases, some of them serious and often fatal.

It`s heartbreaking to know that puppies still die simply because they weren`t vaccinated - or they weren`t vaccinated early enough, or often enough.

The 2011 AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) recommendations for puppy vaccination are the most up-to-date veterinary guidelines for puppies and dogs in the USA.

Use these links to jump directly to the information you`re looking for, or simply scroll down to learn everything you need to know about puppy shots:

• What shots does my puppy need?
• When do puppies get their shots?
• How much do puppy vaccinations cost?
• Over-vaccination concerns?
• Vaccinating adult dogs
• Allergic reactions to puppy shots

What Shots Does My Puppy Need?

There are no `cures` for the illnesses listed above. 

If your pup gets one of them, it`s quite possible that he/she will die.

Vaccinations save the lives of puppies just like yours, every single day.

They are one of the most important parts of your new pup`s health care, and are essential, not optional!

If you`re worried that the vaccinations will hurt your pup, don`t be. The discomfort is minimal and most puppies barely notice the needle. 

I`ve discovered that the biggest boys are often the ones that make the most fuss (go figure!), but a quick cuddle and a tasty treat brings instant amnesia :)

When Do Puppies Get Their Shots?

This is the recommended timeline for puppy vaccinations.

Puppies normally get their first shots around 8 weeks old, but they can be given earlier if needed (ie with stray, abandoned pups or those who were formula fed).

Three sets of combination vaccinations (a shot that protects against more than one disease) given at 3 week intervals.

• 8 weeks - first round
• 11 weeks - second round
• 14 weeks - third round
• 16 weeks - Rabies vaccination 

* At 16 weeks breeds which are especially vulnerable to Canine Parvovirus should be given an additional Parvo vaccination (this includes Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Pitbull Terriers).

Certain vaccines are often grouped together and give as one shot, this is called a `Combination Vaccine`.

The most common would be the 3-in-1 shot for Distemper, Adenovirus and Parvo. These are all CORE vaccines.

When it comes to giving puppy shots, timing is hugely important and you need to make sure Fido gets his vaccinations at the right time is essential if you want them to work!

Very young puppies have a certain amount of natural immunity that they get from their mothers milk, but that begins to diminish somewhere between 5 and 8 weeks of age.

If a puppy is vaccinated while he still has a significant level of maternal antibodies in his bloodstream, the vaccine won`t be effective.

Some studies have indicated that at 6 weeks old only 25% of puppies vaccinated respond to a vaccine by producing antibodies.

By 18 weeks that figure has risen to 95%.

Non-Core Vaccinations For Puppies

All puppies need to have the core shots to protect them from the most common dog illnesses.

But there are also other diseases/conditions that some pups may be at risk of catching.

These can also be prevented by vaccination, but it`s important to know that not all puppies need (or should have) these.

Sometimes it depends on the part of the country (or world) that you live in.

Other times the activities your pup will take part in, or where he`ll spend a lot of his time is the key.

These additional non-core canine vaccines include :

• Canine Coronavirus (a viral disease which affects a puppy`s intestines)

• Bordatella (the most common bacteria responsible for Kennel Cough, which affects the upper respiratory system)

• Giardia (a internal parasitic disease)

• Lyme Disease (a bacterial illness usually affecting joints, but can also spread to the major organs).

There are combination vaccines which contain the core vaccines and some optional ones too.

These include:

• The 5-in-1 puppy vaccine which also includes protectionagainst Leptospirosis and Canine Parainfluenza.
• The 7-in-1 puppy vaccine which gives additional protection against other strains of Adenovirus (CAV-1 which affects the liver) and Leptopsirosis.

Although these combo-shots are given very routinely, some research seems to indicate that they may lead to a higher risk of allergic reactions and other side effects.

If you`re concerned about any of this discuss it with your veterinarian.

You can ask for vaccinations to be given singly (if your vet has/can get) these.

After the first set of shots you can also ask for your pup`s blood titers to be checked before you give him any subsequent ones.

How Much Do Puppy Vaccinations Cost?

Veterinary care is fairly expensive, even for routine things like vaccinations and preventative - BUT it is absolutely essential if you want your puppy to survive and to live a happy and healthy life.

Getting Fidos` puppy shots taken care of is going to be one of the first puppy-parenting health-care responsibilities that you face, so it`s understandable that you`d like to know how much they are going to cost.

Unfortunately there`s no `one-size-fits-all` answer to this question because a lot depends on where you live, your own veterinarians` protocol, your income and so on.

All regular veterinary clinics offer vaccinations, and there are low-cost vaccination clinics (including the SPCA & VetCo which are found in PetCo stores) in many towns and cities. 

Some vets (eg. Banfield clinics which are found in Petsmart stores) offer annual programs and package deals for vaccinations and other routine procedures.

Although I can`t give you an exact figure for how much your puppy vaccinations cost, I can give you some ballpark figures to work with based on costs in my area (rural central USA).....

Video: Dog and Cat Owner's Guide: Giardia

Estimated Cost Of Puppy Vaccinations & Vet Checks

Individual veterinary clinics charges vary considerably, but in most cases you will be paying for an office visit, a combination vaccine, bordatella and a routine deworming.

• Average costs for a the combo vaccine and additional non-core vaccines range between $20 and $40 per shot, per administration.
• Vet visits (often mandatory for shots) can cost anywhere from $30 to $60+
• Rabies vaccinations are usually between $15 and $30 but can be more.

Over-Vaccination Concerns?

Vaccination, or over-vaccination, is a hot topic these days. Both for people and animals.

There is a fair amount of conflicting opinions among vets and veterinary care professionals as to how many vaccinations puppies (and dogs) should be given.

How often they should get them, and how the shots should be given (singly or as combination vaccines).

Although the AAHA and AVMA still recommend yearly boosters for all dogs.

A lot of research shows that this is not strictly necessary - and can even cause health problems.

If you`re concerned about over-vaccinating your puppy, talk to your veterinarian as there is another option....

Titers & Vaccinations

After Fido has had his first set of puppy shots, you can ask your vet to check the titers in his bloodstream before he gets any more vaccinations.

Titers are a measurement of the antibodies to disease which exist in your pup`s bloodstream.

After being vaccinated, it takes about 10 days for the antibodies to show up in tests.

To find out whether or not your puppy`s vaccinations have boosted his immunity to a particular disease, or diseases, you can have your vet run a blood test for those specific antibodies about 2 weeks after he`s been vaccinated.

If the titer level is high enough to confirm immunity, then your pup is unlikely to need to be re-vaccinated.

Generally once your puppy has had three sets of the combination puppyshots, plus the Rabies shot, he will be well protected.

Protection isn`timmediate though, and I would recommend waiting at least a week afteryour pup has received his final set of puppy shots before venturing outinto public areas.

There are however no guarantees and even after three sets of combination vaccines occasionally puppies still get sick.

So always be careful to avoid dogs who might appear sick, or areas where stray dogs might roam.

Do you know that it`s possible to vaccinate your own puppy at home?

If you`d like to know more about what`s involved in giving the vaccinations yourself, check out this page to learn more.... Giving Puppy Shots At Home

Vaccinations For Adult Dogs

Adult dogs must by law receive annual dog `booster` vaccinations for Rabies (although some vaccines provide 3 years of protection).

There is an annual booster recommendation for most CORE vaccines too but your vet can check the antibody `titers` (basically thelevel of antibodies in your dog`s bloodstream to any particular disease)and vaccinate only if they are too low.

This can help to prevent over-vaccinating your dog, which may lead toauto-immune problems and other illnesses. BUT these tests do cost extra money.

In some states/areas vaccines are now available that are effective for 3 or even 5 years. I`d recommend asking your vet if these are available for your dog/pup.

The bestadvice I can give you is to ask your own veterinarian about this, andfollow his/her advice and recommendations about canine vaccinationprocedure.

If you`ve adopted an older pup or adult dog and don`tknow their puppy shots history, then the minimum vaccinations you`llneed to get them are against Distemper, Parvo and Hepatitis.

He/she willneed two rounds of shots, given 3 weeks apart.

Again though,individual areas (and each veterinarian) may have differentrecommendations, so talk to your own vet to find out what he/she thinksis best.

Allergic Reactions To Puppy Vaccinations

Although most puppies hardly even notice when their puppy shots are given, and show no ill effects afterward, it`s not terribly unusual for a pup to have an allergic reaction of some sort to a vaccine.

Most of the time these reactions to puppy vaccinations are mild, and last only a day or two.

But now and then they can be severe enough to warrant a trip to the veterinarian.

All puppy owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, because if your puppy does have a bad reaction, you need to know!

Symptoms vary from mild or moderate to severe. Here`s a closer look at what you might notice after your puppy is vaccinated....

Mild Reactions

Luckily most reactions are mild, and symptoms can include:

• A lump/swelling/knot at the site of the injection itself
• Slight fever
• Lethargy or a depressed/sad looking little pup! 
• Loss of appetite
• Loose stools

BUT, don`t worry, in these cases your puppy is just feeling a little tired or `off color` and the symptoms are short lived and don`t usually need veterinary treatment. 

Moderate Reactions

Symptoms of a moderate allergic reaction to puppy immunizations usually involves

• Swelling and/or hives

This is often especially noticeable around the mouth, eyes, face and neck, although welts can appear anywhere on your puppy`s body. 

This kind or reaction usually occurs within a few hours of the vaccination.

It can progress and become severe, so if you notice any swelling or hives appearing on your pup, take him back to the veterinarian`s office right away.

As an interim measure you can give your little guy/gal some Benadryl to help reduce this swelling - but do check this with your vet first. 

Veterinary treatment for this type of reaction may also include steroids and other anti-histamines.

Severe Reactions

The most serious allergic reaction to puppy shots is

• Anaphylaxis

This is life-threatening and usually strikes within minutes of the vaccine being given. 

You might first notice vomiting/diarrhea and a loss of balance.

Anaphylaxis causes a sudden drop in your puppy`s blood pressure, and generalized swelling which can result in breathing difficulties, seizures and even death. 

It`s an emergency situation and if you have already left the veterinarian`s office you need to get your pup back there immediately.

He/she may need oxygen, IV fluids or other medical intervention, so don`t waste any time. 

Luckily moderate to severe allergic reactions to puppy shots are pretty rare and are generally much less of a danger to your puppy than the diseases they prevent. 

IMPORTANT: If your puppy does have a bad reaction to his shots, it`s important to remind your veterinarian about that at his next vaccination appointment.

Some vets may want to give a puppy like this an antihistamine before giving the shots, and/or to monitor him for a while afterwards... just to be safe.

It`s also possible that your vet will recommend giving the vaccines separately rather than as a `combo` vaccine to reduce the risks of a reaction.

Although a puppy or dog can react badly to any canine vaccine, there seems to be a higher incidence of allergic reaction to the vaccines for Rabies, Parvo and Leptosirosis.

There are some dog breeds that are more likely to suffer an allergic reaction, these include (but aren`t limited to).....

Also dogs who are mostly white in color, or have `diluted` coat colors (such as blue or fawn, or blue-fawn) and merle or black/white color combinations seem to be more at risk.

So, the bottom line is thatyou need to watch your puppy closely for the first day or so after he`shad his puppy shots.

Any major reaction is most likely to occurwithin 24 hours (often much sooner).

An allergic reaction of any sort isunlikely to happen after the first shot though, it`s subsequent onesthat you should pay particular attention to.

Although it`s necessary to be aware of what couldhappen, don`t panic about this! Thousands of puppies are vaccinatedevery day with no ill-effects, or only a very mild reaction.

Therisks you run if you don`t vaccinate your pup are much higher, soprotecting your puppy is way too important to be forgotten or avoided.

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