When to Get My Puppy Vaccinated

From 6-8 weeks old, your puppy can start socialising, but they must have their vaccinations completed first. To maximise their protection against diseases, vaccinations for puppies are essential, and their first two or three vaccines will be done together. Puppies will usually get these vaccinations while still with tier breeder, and they’ll need their second round of vaccinations a couple of weeks following these.

We advise you to wait two weeks before introducing your puppy to other dogs and walking them so that they’re safe in public areas. It is recommended you get annual vaccinations for your dog to maintain their protection against those nasty diseases.

Kennel cough is not actually a vaccine but a spray that goes up the nose, but all puppies can tolerate needles and sprays well as they’re not so painful and they’re quickly delivered.

What Vaccinations for Puppies Are There?

There are vaccinations for a few different, nasty diseases and your puppy can receive these to minimise their effects should they ever contract them.

Canine Hepatitis

This is a viral disease that’s infectious and affects the liver, eyes and kidneys as well as the lungs of your dog. It can be spread via saliva, urine, faeces, blood or discharge from the nose. When an infected dog urinates, the virus can remain in this for up to a year, no matter the environment.

Signs of Canine Hepatitis include loss of appetite, pale gums, conjunctivitis, coughing, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and even sudden death. This disease has no treatment but with intensive support, an infected dog can survive it and we can try to alleviate some symptoms. This is why vaccinations for puppies are so important.

Leptospirosis

Also known as Lepto, this disease is bacterial and can be contracted via infected urine or contaminated water. It is a fatal disease for dogs and humans, if your dog enjoys swimming or drinking from stagnant water outdoors, you should be wary of their exposure to this disease. It will affect the kidneys and liver.

Signs to look out for in this disease include fever, muscle pain, reduced appetite, diarrhoea, jaundice, and lethargy. They can be treated with antibiotics and fluid replacements. Even if your dog recovers, they will carry the bacteria in their urine for months.

Distemper

Distemper is a fatal virus that attacks the respiratory and nervous system. Even surviving dogs with this virus suffer long-term neurological issues. It can be contracted through sneezing, sharing food and water bowls, saliva, blood and urine.

Signs of this virus include coughing, sneezing, mucus or discharge from the nose and eyes, fever, lethargy, diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss and depression. The pads of your dog’s feet can become thick too. There is no cure for this virus, and if they survive it, they’ll suffer long term effects.

Canine Parvovirus

A contagious viral disease also known as Parvo, is life-threatening. It more commonly affects puppies or older dogs. It will be contracted via faeces, saliva, humans can carry it on their hands and clothing from other dogs. This why vaccinations for puppies are vital as early on as possible, as even before socialising them, humans can bring something home to them.

Signs of contraction include severe vomiting, diarrhoea containing blood, anorexia, fever and depression. They will require rehydration and hospitalisation. Antibiotics can be given to secondary infections, but many dogs will not survive this disease.

Rabies

Although not common in the UK, if you take your puppy abroad, they’ll need to be vaccinated against rabies. Speak to your vet to discuss the vaccinations and other travelling details so that the necessary care is in place for your pet.

Kennel Cough

As mentioned, kennel cough is administered as a liquid spray, rather than vaccination. Kennel Cough is a respiratory infection that is caused by a number of bacteria and viruses, that can be passed on easily. It is an airborne illness that can spread via close contact and shared toys, bowls, and human touch.

The main symptom is forceful coughing, and puppies that contract it will need medication. Vaccinations for puppies are vital to improve their immunity and reduce the side effects and symptoms of certain diseases.

Booster Vaccinations

Annual boosters are required for your dogs to protect them against these diseases and keep their immunity high. Vaccinations for puppies will protect them for so long, but keeping on top of their immunity will provide them with lifelong preventatives. Not all the above vaccinations are needed annually but a yearly visit to the vet will determine when and what vaccines will be administered. Speak to a vet today.

Contact Woodward Vets

To book an appointment, you can call us or fill out a form online. Speak to a vet today to confirm the vaccinations your puppy or dog has and what vaccines they will be expecting in the coming year. It’s in Woodward’s best interest that all puppies receive the preventative vaccines they need to live a long, happy and healthy life.

For information on our Pet Health for Life Plan, see here for everything it includes, kennel cough spray being one service it covers.