Vaccines for Puppies & Dogs

Vaccines protect your pet from severe illnesses like Rabies and Lyme disease, which humans can also suffer from. Our hospital offers core and non-core vaccines for puppies and dogs to bring safety to your pet and household.

What are core and non-core vaccines for puppies and dogs?

Core vaccines are required by law because they protect from highly contagious diseases that have the potential to be deadly. The core vaccines that your pet needs are Rabies and Distemper/parvovirus (DHPP).

Non-core vaccines are recommended based on the patient. These are necessary if your pet has a higher risk of being exposed to certain viruses. Non-core vaccines include influenza, Bordetella, Leptospirosis and Lyme. To find out which non-core vaccines your pet needs, please call us at 519-948-7727.

When should my puppy or dog be vaccinated?

Puppies generally begin their first round of vaccines when they are between 6 to 8 weeks old. Your pet should have different vaccines every three weeks until they are 4-months-old.

Once your puppy has completed their series of shots, they have protection for a year. As adults, they are given booster shots based on how long their initial vaccine is effective. For instance, rabies shots are effective for three years, and DHPP, leptospirosis, Lyme and canine influenza last for a year. Your pet will need a Bordetella vaccine every 6 to 12 months.

Is it normal for my pet to react to vaccines?

Yes, it’s completely normal. Some pets may seem tired, lose their appetite, have a fever or even have diarrhea. Not all pets have side effects, but if they have reactions it will go away after 48 hours.