Vaccines for Your Puppy

If you’ve recently adopted a puppy or are going to be bringing one home soon, you’ll need to take care of basic healthcare steps to get your pup started off on the right paw. Vaccinations are extremely important! Learn about the basics below from a Carlisle, ON vet.

What Vaccines Does My Puppy Require?

Your puppy will require what are called the core vaccines, named because of the dangerous and potentially contagious nature of the diseases they protect against. Most often, many core vaccines are administered together in a batch when your puppy is young; they include vaccines against diseases like distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, rabies, and others. Ask your vet what vaccines are going to be included in your dog’s core vaccination group.

There are also non-core vaccines, which—as the name implies—aren’t considered essential for all dogs, but may help some. Depending on circumstances like location and environment, pre-existing health conditions, and other factors, a puppy might benefit from a non-core vaccine. The Bordetella vaccination is just one example; it protects against the Bordetella virus that causes kennel cough, so it may be useful for a pup who will be boarded frequently later in life.

What About Booster Shots?

Many vaccinations will require booster shots over the years to help them remain effective as your pup ages. Most of the time, booster shots are given on a yearly basis as necessary at one of your puppy’s annual veterinary appointments. To learn more about your puppy’s booster shot schedule, call your vet’s office for help.

Is There Any Chance of Side Effects?

Although side effects to vaccines are rare and are almost always mild when they do occur, they are possible. A vaccine works by delivering a small strain of the disease to your pet’s body, so symptoms like muscle soreness and low-grade fever could occur. Usually, these symptoms will go away on their own after only a few days, but let your vet know promptly if you think your puppy isn’t responding well to a vaccine.

How Do I Get My Puppy Vaccinated?

Would you like to know more about the vaccination process for puppies? Unsure what particular shots your canine companion is going to need? We’re here to help answer all of your questions and get your pet set up with the vaccinations he needs. Contact your Carlisle, ON animal hospital today to schedule an office visit.