Your Complete Guide to
First-Year
Puppy Vaccinations
When
you bring that soft, sweet-smelling little ball of puppy fuzz into your home,
you know right away that she depends on you for, well, everything. It’s up to
you to give her all the care she needs every day. It can be a little
intimidating — she needs the best
puppy food, plenty of attention, gentle training, safe toys, puppy socialization, a comfortable home, and
proper veterinary care. And that includes puppy shots throughout her first
year.
Which Shots Do Puppies Need?
Going
to the vet repeatedly over several months for vaccinations, and then for
boosters or titers throughout your dog’s life, may seem like an inconvenience,
but the diseases that vaccinations will shield our pets from are dangerous,
potentially deadly, and, thankfully, mostly preventable.
We
read about so many different vaccinations, for so many different illnesses,
that it can sometimes be confusing to know which vaccinations puppies need and
which ones are important but optional. Here is an overview of the diseases that
vaccinations will help your pet to avoid.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica
This
highly infectious bacterium causes severe fits of coughing,
whooping, vomiting, and, in rare cases, seizures and death. It is the
primary cause of kennel cough. There are injectable and
nasal spray vaccines available.
If
you plan on boarding your puppy in the future, attending group training
classes, or using dog daycare services, often proof of this vaccination will be
a requirement.
Canine Distemper
A
severe and contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory,
gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous systems of dogs, raccoons, skunks, and other
animals, distemper spreads through
airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing) from an infected animal. The
virus can also be transmitted by shared food and
water bowls and equipment. It causes discharges from the eyes and
nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching,
paralysis, and, often, death. This disease used to be known as “hard pad”
because it causes the footpad to thicken and harden.
There
is no cure for distemper. Treatment consists of supportive care and efforts to
prevent secondary infections, control symptoms of vomiting, seizures and more.
If the animal survives the symptoms, it is hoped that the dog’s immune system
will have a chance to fight it off. Infected dogs can shed the virus for
months.
Canine Hepatitis
Infectious
canine hepatitis is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver,
kidneys, spleen, lungs, and the eyes of the affected dog. This disease of the
liver is caused by a virus that is unrelated to the human form of hepatitis.
Symptoms range from a slight fever and congestion of the mucous membranes to vomiting,
jaundice, stomach enlargement, and pain around the liver. Many dogs can
overcome the mild form of the disease, but the severe form can kill. There is
no cure, but doctors can treat the symptoms.
Canine Parainfluenza
One
of several viruses that can contribute to kennel cough.
Coronavirus
The
canine coronavirus is not
the same virus that causes COVID-19 in people. COVID-19
is not thought to be a health threat to dogs, and there is no evidence it makes
dogs sick. Canine coronavirus usually affects dogs’ gastrointestinal systems,
though it can also cause respiratory infections. Signs include most GI
symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors can keep
a dog hydrated, warm, and comfortable, and help alleviate nausea, but no drug
kills coronaviruses.
Heartworm
When
your puppy is around 12-to-16 weeks, talk to your vet about starting a heartworm preventive. Though
there is no vaccine for this condition, it is preventable with regularly
administered heartworm
medication that your veterinarian will prescribe.
The
name is descriptive — these worms lodge in the right side of the heart and the
pulmonary arteries (that send blood to the lungs), though they can travel
through the rest of the body and sometimes invade the liver and kidneys. The
worms can grow to 14 inches long and, if clumped together, block and injure
organs.
A
new heartworm infection often causes no symptoms, though dogs in later stages
of the disease may cough, become lethargic, lose their appetite or have
difficulty breathing. Infected dogs may tire after mild exercise. Unlike most
of the conditions listed here, which are passed by urine, feces, and other body
fluids, heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Therefore, diagnosis is made
via a blood test and not a fecal exam.
Kennel Cough
Also
known as infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough results from
inflammation of the upper airways. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or
other infections, such as Bordetella and canine parainfluenza, and often
involves multiple infections simultaneously. Usually, the disease is mild,
causing bouts of harsh, dry coughing; sometimes it’s severe enough to spur
retching and gagging, along with a loss of appetite. In rare cases, it can be
deadly. It is easily spread between dogs kept close together, which is why it
passes quickly through kennels. Antibiotics are usually not necessary, except
in severe, chronic cases. Cough suppressants can make a dog more
comfortable.
Leptospirosis
Unlike
most diseases on this list, Leptospirosis is caused by
bacteria, and some dogs may show no symptoms at all. Leptospirosis can be found
worldwide in soil and water. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be
spread from animals to people. When symptoms do appear, they can include fever,
vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, severe weakness and
lethargy, stiffness, jaundice, muscle pain, infertility, kidney failure (with
or without liver failure). Antibiotics are effective, and the sooner they are
given, the better.
Lyme Disease
Unlike
the famous “bull’s-eye” rash that people exposed to Lyme disease often spot, no such
telltale symptom occurs in dogs. Lyme disease (or borreliosis) is an
infectious, tick-borne disease caused by a type of bacteria called a
spirochete. Transmitted via ticks, an infected dog often starts limping,
his lymph nodes swell, his temperature rises, and he stops eating. The disease
can affect his heart, kidney, and joints, among other things, or lead to
neurological disorders if left untreated. If diagnosed quickly, a course of
antibiotics is extremely helpful, though relapses can occur months or even
years later.
Parvovirus
Parvo is a highly
contagious virus that affects all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies less
than four months of age are at the most risk to contract it. The virus attacks
the gastrointestinal system and creates a loss of appetite, vomiting, fever,
and often severe, bloody diarrhea. Extreme dehydration can come on rapidly and
kill a dog within 48-to-72 hours, so prompt veterinary attention is crucial.
There is no cure, so keeping the dog hydrated and controlling the secondary
symptoms can keep him going until his immune system beats the illness.
Rabies
Rabies
is a viral disease of mammals that invades the central nervous system, causing
headache, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water,
paralysis, and death. It is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid
animal. Treatment within hours of infection is essential, otherwise, death is
highly likely. Most states require regular rabies vaccinations. Check with your
vet about rabies vaccination laws and requirements in your area.
Of
course, your veterinarian should weigh in and can always provide more
information and guidance if needed on necessary and optional vaccinations.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
The
first thing to know is that there is not just one puppy vaccination schedule
for all dogs. Factors such as which part of the country you live in, and your
dog’s individual risk factors will come into play. Some dogs do not need every
vaccine. This decision is between you and your veterinarian. Always discuss puppy
vaccinations at your regularly scheduled appointments.