Vaccinating for common illnesses, such as Parvovirus, Canine Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Lyme disease and Distemper, helps to establish immunity and promote healthy growth in puppies. Vaccinations are performed as a short series of shots for puppies with annual boosters thereafter.

Puppy vaccinations are available in over the counter forms and through your local veterinarian. Veterinarians recommend having shots for puppies administered in their offices by a professional. There are many reasons to have find a veterinarian handle the immunization needs of your puppy. Quality of the vaccine aside, veterinarians often perform full health screenings and parasite checks during the series of appointments. This can pinpoint any potential health concerns or developmental issues that may arise with a puppy. This also helps to establish a relationship between the puppy, the veterinarian, and you.

A common question with many new puppy owners is What shots do puppies need? The answer varies depending on breed and region. Some breeds, such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers, may show resistance to the vaccines and require further vaccination to establish full immunity. This is particularly common with Parvo shots for puppies. Typically, vaccines should be administered starting between the ages of six and eight weeks. Further booster shots for puppies occur around the 12 and 16-week marks. The 16-week visit will often include the first Rabies vaccination. If you decide not to have full vaccination performed, laws in many States require dogs to receive regular Rabies shots.

As with human vaccinations, there is some slight discomfort for the animal when the shots are given. There may also be tenderness or mild swelling at the injection site. These symptoms will typically fade within the day and have no lasting impact. In the case of Rabies vaccines, if the swelling does not reduce, or if sores or hair loss occur, contact your veterinarian. This may be a reaction to the vaccine known as cutaneous vasculitis. While this can cause discomfort for the animal, it is easily treatable with medicine and topical ointments. Contacting your vet with any issues will also help to establish any changes needed for the rest of the puppy’s vaccination series.

 

Apart from the initial physical discomfort, serious side effects for puppy vaccinations are very rare. These reactions typically occur within minutes of vaccination. Anaphlyaxis is a systemic allergic reaction that can cause swelling of the body, increased heart rate and labored breathing. If not treated quickly, this can be fatal. Urticaria is a more localized allergic reaction, often causing hives or sores near the injection site. Fortunately, both of these conditions are treatable through injected antihistamines and corticosteroids.

 

With increased technology and research in the area of canine vaccines, keeping up with shots for Kennel Club puppies provides obvious benefits with very little chance of negative impact. There are even programs in many areas that can reduce the cost of vaccinations. This makes it easy to prevent any illnesses that may occur during the initial development of a puppy and ensure they are a healthy and happy companion for years to come.