Puppy Vaccines: Everything you need to know

Are you bringing a new puppy into your home? This an exciting and joyful experience, and your little bundle is full of energy, curiosity, and affection. As a responsible pet owner, you'll quickly realise that your puppy relies on you for everything, from nutritious food and engaging toys to socialisation and training.

Among these essential responsibilities, one of the most critical tasks is ensuring your puppy receives proper veterinary care, which includes a series of vaccinations during their first year. Understanding which vaccinations are required and when can sometimes be confusing, so we've compiled the essential vaccinations that are crucial for your puppy's health, along with some other information to give you a comprehensive understanding of how to keep your puppy safe and healthy through proper vaccination.

Why Vaccinate Your Puppy?

Vaccinating your puppy is crucial for safeguarding their health and well-being. These vaccinations are designed to protect them from contagious and potentially fatal diseases they may encounter in their environment.

Puppies are especially vulnerable to illnesses as their immune systems are still developing. Exposure to common but preventable diseases, which can be found in the environment or spread from other dogs, can lead to serious health complications. While some of these diseases can be treated, many are severe and potentially fatal, even with the best medical care.

Building your puppy's immunity through a complete vaccination program is essential. These vaccines stimulate your puppy's immune system to produce the necessary defences against these diseases, offering them protection during their early, vulnerable months and beyond.

Types of Diseases Puppy Vaccines Help Prevent

Puppy vaccinations help protect your pet from several serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Here are the key conditions that vaccinations help your pup avoid:

Core Vaccines (Essential for all puppies):

Canine Distemper: A viral disease affecting multiple organ systems, causing discharges from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
Canine Hepatitis: A viral infection affecting the liver, kidneys, spleen, and eyes, causing symptoms ranging from fever and jaundice to severe pain and potentially fatal complications.
Canine Coronavirus: Affects the gastrointestinal system, causing symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Heartworm: Transmitted by mosquitoes, these worms can lead to severe heart and lung disease if left untreated.
Leptospirosis: Bacterial infection causing fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and potentially severe kidney and liver damage.
Rabies: Fatal viral disease affecting the nervous system, transmitted through the bite of infected animals.
Parvovirus: Highly contagious virus causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), and rapid dehydration.

Non-Core Vaccines (Optional, based on lifestyle and risk factors):

Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough): Causes severe coughing fits, vomiting, and, in rare cases, seizures.

Lyme Disease: Tick-borne illness affecting joints, heart, and kidneys, causing fever and lethargy.

Canine Parainfluenza: Contributes to kennel cough, leading to upper airways inflammation and harsh coughing.

Important note: Consult with your veterinarian to ensure your puppy receives the necessary vaccinations to stay healthy and happy.

Typical Puppy Vaccination Schedule

It is important to follow a tailored schedule that considers your location, puppy's health, and individual risk factors. Your veterinarian will guide you through the process, ensuring your puppy receives the necessary vaccinations at the right time. Here's a general guideline for the puppy vaccination schedule during their first year:

6-8 weeks: Begin with vaccinations against Distemper and Parvovirus.
10-12 weeks: Administer DHPP vaccine, which covers Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. Optional vaccines like Bordetella may be recommended based on your puppy's lifestyle.
16-18 weeks: Continue with DHPP and include Rabies vaccination. Depending on lifestyle, optional vaccines such as Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Lyme disease might be recommended.
12-16 months: Complete the DHPP series and administer a booster for Rabies.

Regular vaccination boosters are essential to maintain immunity throughout your dog's life. Here's a guideline for subsequent vaccinations:

Every 1-2 years: DHPP vaccine boosters are recommended.
Every 1-3 years: Rabies vaccination should be updated as required by law.

Discuss your puppy's specific needs and any optional vaccines that may be appropriate based on their lifestyle and risk factors with your veterinarian. Regular veterinary appointments are crucial for ensuring your puppy stays healthy and protected against preventable diseases.

What to Expect During a Puppy Vaccination Appointment

During a typical puppy vaccination appointment at the vet, your veterinarian will first conduct a thorough health assessment of your puppy, checking their overall condition and addressing any concerns you may have. Depending on your puppy's age and vaccination schedule, they will receive injectable or intranasal vaccines to protect against common diseases.

Your vet may discuss other aspects of your puppy's health, including parasite control (worming, flea treatments), dental care, nutrition advice, and grooming needs like nail trimming or anal gland expression. This comprehensive care ensures your puppy's overall health is maintained.

While most puppies experience only mild side effects post-vaccination, it's essential to be aware of possible reactions:

Tenderness or mild pain at the injection site, low fever, temporary fatigue or lethargy, decreased appetite, and a small bump where the vaccine was administered that can last up to two weeks.
For vaccines administered through the nose, sneezing or cold-like symptoms may occur for a day or two.

After vaccinations, observe your puppy closely for any unusual symptoms. Severe reactions are rare but may include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling. If any concerning symtoms or reactions appear, contact your vet straight away for guidance.

Common Questions and Concerns

How much do puppy vaccinations cost?

The cost of dog vaccinations in Australia can vary based on several factors, primarily the veterinary clinic you visit and the specific vaccines required. For the first three puppy shots, the cost ranges between $180 and $250. After the initial series, annual booster shots generally cost around $90 per visit.

Is it safe to vaccinate my puppy if they're sick?

Vaccinating your puppy while they are sick is generally not recommended as vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognise and fight specific diseases. They contain weakened or killed forms of the disease-causing organisms, which prompt the immune system to produce protective antibodies. However, if a puppy is already sick, their immune system may not respond as effectively to the vaccine.

What happens if I miss a vaccination?

Missing a vaccination appointment doesn't mean your pet has lost all immunity immediately, but timely catch-up vaccinations are crucial for maintaining their health and preventing the spread of diseases. Always follow your veterinarian's advice regarding your pet's vaccination schedule to ensure they remain healthy and protected.

Keeping our puppies healthy and happy

While vaccinations protect your puppy from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, they also help prevent the diseases from spreading to other pets and humans. Stimulating your puppy's immune system to recognise and fight off specific diseases is just as important as providing them with all the nutrition they need.

Discuss your puppy's regular vaccination schedule and any concerns with your veterinarian for personalised guidance based on their health, lifestyle, and local disease risks and you'll protect your puppy throughout their life.