Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting and joyful experience, but ensuring their health and well-being is a big responsibility. Puppy vaccines play a pivotal role in protecting your tiny canine friend from potentially serious diseases. Our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team wants your puppy to be as healthy as possible so they can enjoy all the puppy shenanigans, and we explain all you need to know about puppy vaccines. 

Why puppy vaccines matter

Puppy vaccines are important for several reasons, including:

  • Immune system boost — Puppies are born with some immunity passed on from their mothers, but this protection is temporary and wanes at 8 to 14 weeks of age. Vaccines stimulate the puppy’s immune system to produce antibodies to defend against specific diseases.
  • Illness prevention — Vaccines train the body to prevent illness before infection occurs by introducing an antigen into the body that imitates an infection and triggers the immune system to respond. The body is then prepared should an actual infection occur. 
  • Community protection — Vaccinating your puppy contributes to community immunity by protecting not only your pet but also other neighborhood dogs, by reducing contagious disease spread. In addition, vaccinating your puppy protects you and your family from zoonotic diseases such as rabies.

Core puppy vaccines

Core puppy vaccines are those recommended for all puppies, including:

  • Canine distemper — This highly contagious viral disease affects many organs, including the respiratory and nervous systems. The virus is spread through airborne droplets (e.g., sneezing and coughing) from an infected animal and can also be transmitted from contaminated objects (e.g., food and water bowls). Signs include nasal and ocular discharge, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis.
  • Canine parvovirus — Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The virus is spread through contact with an infected dog’s feces or fecal contaminated objects or surfaces. Signs include inappetence, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea that is often bloody. Affected puppies can quickly become dehydrated and can die in 48 to 72 hours, so prompt veterinary attention is critical.
  • Canine adenovirus — Adenovirus types one and two cause respiratory and liver infections and can also affect the puppy’s kidneys, spleen, and eyes. The virus is present in an infected dog’s urine, eye secretions, and nasal discharge, and infection occurs when the dog contacts these substances. Signs can range from a slight fever to vomiting, yellowing of mucous membranes (i.e., jaundice), abdominal pain, and stomach enlargement.
  • Canine parainfluenza — A combined distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus vaccine often also includes canine parainfluenza, which is one of several pathogens that can contribute to kennel cough. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected respiratory droplets or contaminated objects. Signs include nasal discharge and cough.
  • Rabies — Rabies is a deadly viral infection that attacks the neurological system and can be transmitted to humans. The virus is most commonly spread through a rabid animal’s bite. Signs include behavioral changes, incoordination, excessive salivation, difficulty breathing, aggression, self mutilation, paralysis, and seizures. Pennsylvania law mandates that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies by 12 weeks of age. 

Non-core puppy vaccines

Non-core puppy vaccines are those that our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team recommends based on your tiny canine’s lifestyle and disease risk. Puppies who are frequently exposed to other dogs or specific environments may benefit from additional protection. Non-core vaccines we may recommend include:

  • Lyme disease — Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, and if you and your puppy spend time in rural or wooded areas, they may benefit from a Lyme vaccine. 
  • Leptospirosis — Puppies are infected by leptospirosis by contacting infected urine, drinking urine-contaminated water, or eating an infected small mammal. Leptospirosis vaccines previously were recommended only for puppies and dogs who spent time in rural areas, but the disease is now a major public health problem in urban areas because of infection in rodents, raccoons, and opossums. 
  • Bordetella — Bordetella is a bacterial infection that often contributes to kennel cough. Infection is typically mild, with a harsh, dry cough, but can be severe enough to trigger retching, gagging, and inappetence. Puppies who frequent dog parks, doggy day care facilities, and boarding kennels are at increased risk.
  • Canine influenza — This viral disease causes respiratory disease with signs such as a cough, nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, and lack of appetite. Puppies who frequent dog parks, doggy day care facilities, and boarding kennels are at increased risk.

Puppy vaccine schedule

A typical puppy vaccine schedule is as follows:

  • 6 to 8 weeks — Distemper, adenovirus (i.e., hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza (DHPP); bordetella is an optional non-core vaccine
  • 10 to 12 weeks — DHPP; bordetella, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and influenza are optional non-core vaccines
  • 14 to 16 weeks — DHPP, rabies; bordetella, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and influenza are optional non-core vaccines
  • 12 to 16 months — DHPP, rabies; bordetella, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and influenza are optional non-core vaccines

After 1 year of age, dogs need booster vaccines every one to three years.

Contact our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team to schedule your puppy’s vaccine appointment, so we can ensure your pup is protected against serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses.