When Do Puppies Get Shots? A Comprehensive Puppy Vaccination Guide

Puppy vaccinations are an essential component of the process of your new pet becoming a healthy adult dog and being defended against dangerous diseases. When should puppies get shots and what is the proper puppy vaccination schedule is something that every responsible puppy owner should know. Our team at East York Animal Clinic welcomes you to our clinic and will assist you through the various stages of your puppy’s development.

Understanding the Puppy Vaccination Timeline

It is not unusual for owners of a new puppy to wonder when do puppies get shots. It is also worth noting that the specific prophetic puppy vaccination schedule might differ slightly but generally, puppies should be vaccinated using the following protocols; Initially at 6-8 weeks of age and then every 3-4 weeks again until the puppy is approximately 16 weeks of age. After that, they will require occasional revaccination to keep up immunity levels. Let’s break this down further:

Puppy First Vaccination: When and Why It’s Important

An initial immunization is given when a puppy is between the ages of six and eight weeks old. This first puppy vaccination, sometimes referred to as the ‘distemper shot’ covers distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Some of these diseases are fatal to puppies, so vaccinations should be done on time.

Puppies cannot be vaccinated before 6 weeks because they still have some level of protection from the maternal milk they take from their mother. Fully vaccinating too early may not provide the correct protection. So when asking when do puppies get shots, it is possible to start as early as 6-8 weeks.

Puppy Second Vaccination: When and Why Puppies Need Boosters

Following this first dose at 6-8 weeks, puppies require a series of boosters to guarantee that their immunity has been trained appropriately on the targeted diseases. After the first set of shots, the subsequent vaccinations should be given at 9-11 weeks, and then at 12-15 weeks of age.

These boosters are necessary since maternal antibodies fade at different periods in the lives of the puppies. The multiple shots guarantee the puppy’s safety at whichever point their mother’s antibodies fail them. A last boost is normally taken at 16-18 weeks to achieve adequate body immunity against the virus. As you can imagine, the question of when do puppies get shots concerns a series of accurate vaccinations instead of one shot.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule: What to Expect in Canada

The general puppy vaccination schedule in Canada and specifically in the province of Ontario corresponds to 6-8, 9-11, 12-15, and 16-18 weeks core vaccinations. It should be noted that rabies vaccination is mandatory in Canada. Puppies should be immunized the first time with rabies vaccine 12-16 weeks and then again after one year later. Next, rabies vaccination is recommended after 1- 3 years based on the type of vaccine used by the doctor.

What Vaccines Do Puppies Need?

When people are wondering when do puppies get shots, they should know what shots their puppy actually needs. Puppy vaccines are divided into two categories: core vaccines and non-core vaccines.

Core Vaccines: Essential Protection for Your Puppy

Core vaccines are those vaccines that any puppy should be administered irrespective of the lifestyle they lead. These cover the biggest and the most frequent categories of diseases. The core puppy vaccines are:

•         Distemper
•         Parvovirus
•         Adenovirus (Hepatitis)
•         Rabies

The distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus are administered in one injection (commonly known as the DHPP), whilst the rabies is administered in another injection.

Optional Vaccines: Protecting Against Regional Risks

Non obligatory vaccinations are vaccines that may be suggested to a puppy depending on his or her likelihood of exposure to a specific disease. These include:

•         Bordetella (kennel cough)
•         Leptospirosis
•         Lyme disease
•         Canine influenza

Your veterinarian can determine the lifestyle of the puppy you are taking and which of the non-core vaccines may be useful. In Ontario, Lyme disease can be a concern in certain areas and therefore your vet may recommend this vaccine if the puppy is likely to be walking a lot in wooded or tall-grass regions.

Puppy Vaccination Costs: What You Need to Know

Beside the question ‘when do puppies get shots’, new puppy owners also may have some questions concerning costs of vaccinations.

How Much Are Puppy Shots?

The average cost of a puppy vaccination series of vaccinations can also tend to differ depending on the place that you live and the veterinary facility. In Canada, you should prepare to spend between $75 to $150 for the primary puppy shots (DHPP and rabies). Non-core vaccinations will add to this cost.

East York Animal Clinic is proud to offer competitive pricing that is up front, with no hidden charges. We have relatively inexpensive prices for vaccinations and can give you a quote that reflects the specific service your puppy needs.

Are Puppy Vaccination Packages Worth It?

Some clinics such as the East York Animal Clinic provide vaccination packages for puppies so that customers will only be charged once for the different, necessary vaccinations and their boosts. These packages can become relatively cheaper than going for each of these vaccinations one at a time; they also assist in seeing that you follow the right schedule of vaccinating your puppy.

Payment Plans and Pet Insurance Options

To assist in controlling the cost of vaccinations and other related services, many clinics may offer a payment plan. payment arrangements are also a topic of conversation here at East York Animal Clinic so your puppy gets the necessary care that he/she needs.

There is another insurance type that may be of interest – pet insurance. In most of the pet insurance policies, puppy vaccinations are covered so that the costs can be mitigated. Pet insurance should be taken when your puppy is still young and has not been diagnosed with any illnesses.

Why Choose East York Animal Clinic for Puppy Vaccinations?

Located conveniently at 805 O’Connor Dr in East York, East York Animal Clinic is your trusted partner in puppy care. Here’s why you should consider us for your puppy’s vaccination needs:

Experienced and Compassionate Veterinary Team

Our veterinary team brings several years of experience into the field with passion for the welfare of animals. To the best of our ability, we update ourselves on the newest vaccinations for your puppy so that it can get the best care it deserves. All of our team members are committed to helping both you and your puppy have a good experience and enjoy the process.

Affordable and Transparent Pricing

We are aware that people who own pets are usually conscious of the amount of money they spend. This is why we ensure that we charge fair prices for the products without having to skimp on quality. You’ll not be surprised with any extra charges of puppy vaccinations and any other service that we shall be offering.

Comprehensive Puppy Care Under One Roof

Puppy vaccination is, of course, only one of the many aspects of proper puppy health management. At East York Animal Clinic, we offer a full range of puppy services, including:

•         Thorough physical exams
•         Parasite prevention and control
•         Nutrition counseling
•         Behavioral advice
•         Microchipping

Our goal is to be your one-stop-shop for all your puppy’s health needs. Signing up with us ensures that you have a partner throughout your puppy’s life hence easy to help you through all steps.

Schedule Your Puppy’s First Vaccination Today

With the help of the information presented above, you are already familiar with when do puppies get shots and why it is critical, so it is high time to step up and schedule your puppy the appointment. At East York Animal Clinic, we do not complicate it for you. To book your appointment, you can either call us at the number 416 751 4000 or request an appointment online on our website.

Do not wait! The health of your puppy is more important than your job and the information above will help you to start. Give East York Animal Clinic a call today and let us show you how to get your puppy off to the very best start.

Puppy Vaccination FAQs

Still have questions about when do puppies get shots? Here are answers to some of the most common queries:

When Does a Puppy Have Their First Vaccination?

It is advisable to take puppies for vaccination for the first time when they are between six and eight weeks old. This is when the immunity they get from their mother’s milk is no longer active, and the pet’s own body needs to build up an immune response.

How Many Vaccines Does a Puppy Need?

Some of the vaccinations given to puppies are designed to immunize them in stages, that’s why several injections are required. This is typically 3 to 4 courses of the core vaccines (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza) and administered around 3-4 weeks apart. They also require rabies vaccination, usually when they are between 12 and 16 weeks old.

When Does a Puppy Get Their Rabies Vaccine?

Dogs should receive their first rabies vaccine at 12 to 16 weeks of age, and a second vaccination 12 months later, at the soonest. Following that, booster doses of rabies vaccine are normally given after 1 up to 3 years, according to the type of vaccine that was administered and legal requirements of the country.

In summary, the question of when do puppies get shots is best answered by following the recommended puppy vaccination timeline of starting at 6-8 weeks and continuing with boosters until 16-18 weeks. Knowing what vaccines puppies require and when to take the puppy for the shots, then you are ensuring your cute little angel a healthy life. Rest assured, at East York Animal Clinic, we are always by your side to guide you through the process. Please call in today and arrange for your puppy’s first vaccination session.