Puppy Vaccinations: When to Get Them and Why
Your puppy has arrived and you’re ready to get started on a great life together. You’ve got the crate, the food, the toys, and a seemingly endless supply of puppy pads. Now it’s time to start thinking about your pup’s health.
Vaccinations are essential for your dog’s overall wellbeing. In this article, we will cover when to get your puppy vaccinated and why.
How do puppy vaccinations work?
Vaccines work by exposing the body to a weakened or inactive form of a disease-causing virus or bacteria. This forces the immune system to respond and build antibodies that protect against future exposures to disease. Puppies are more susceptible than adult dogs because they have not yet built up their own immunity; they rely on maternal immunity until about 14 weeks of age.
Maternal immunity is immunity passed from mother to puppy during gestation and through breast milk after birth. But after about 14 weeks, maternal antibodies wane and puppies are no longer protected from infectious diseases.
When is the best time to get your puppy vaccinated?
The timing of these vaccinations is critical in protecting your puppy’s health. It may seem like a lot of shots at once, but your puppy’s body will build protective immunity within days after receiving the first shot and before the next one is due.
The first vaccination should be for parvovirus, distemper, and hepatitis, and is usually given between 8 weeks of age. This vaccine should be followed by two more vaccines, one at 12 weeks and the other at 16 weeks.
Leptospirosis and coronavirus can be added to this vaccine if the puppy is considered at risk of contracting these diseases, either because they are in a high-risk environment or because they come from an area where these diseases are prevalent.
Why should you get your puppy vaccinated?
Puppies less than 4 months old have immature immune systems and do not receive immunity from their mothers against certain diseases, so they are susceptible. You can protect your puppy from some serious illnesses that might affect their health for years to come by getting them vaccinated properly.
It is important to follow a vaccination schedule designed specifically for puppies. This way, your puppy will receive multiple shots in a timely manner while avoiding the risk of over-vaccinating your pet with regular vaccines designed for adult animals.
Vaccinations are a mainstay of pet healthcare, helping to prevent a wide range of infectious diseases. They’ve been proven safe, effective, and highly recommended by veterinarians. The risk of disease, the severity of illness, and the likelihood of complications are significantly reduced by appropriate vaccination. So, make sure you get your puppy vaccinated as recommended by your veterinarian, so you can avoid any unnecessary delays or problems down the road.
Here at Langley Animal Clinic, we know that keeping up with your puppy’s vaccinations is an important part of caring for your dog, and it is a responsibility you don’t want to just ignore or neglect. Make sure to reach out to us about the best times for your puppy to be vaccinated.
