Why Vaccinate your Puppy?
Between six and sixteen weeks of age, puppies lose the disease protection they received from their mothers and become able to form their own immunity to disease. Unfortunately, we never know when this will happen, so there is often a brief period when puppies have lost the disease protection they received from their mothers but have not yet developed strong immunity of their own.
Fortunately, new puppy vaccinations for distemper and parvovirus are much more effective than what we had even two or three years ago, and eliminate much of this problem. Also, since the new vaccines work better we don't have to give as many, which saves money.
Until your puppy is four or five months old, try to prevent contact with stray dogs or sick dogs. Avoid boarding your puppy or taking her places like highway rest stops where lots of other dogs go to the bathroom.
Puppy Vaccinations we currently use (August 1, 2019):
Vanguard® Plus 5 L4
is recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs against diseases caused by canine distemper, adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis), adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), parainfluenza, parvovirus, and 4 stains of leptospiral bacterin (L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa, L. icterohaemorrhagiae, & L. pomona). Distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are modified live versions of the virus. Leptospira canicola, Leptospira grippotyphosa,Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, and Leptospira pomona are killed versions of the virus. Recommended for use in healthy dogs 6 weeks of age or older. Boosters are highly recomended every 3 weeks until your veterinarian decides to stop. (Typically at 6 weeks, 9 weeks and 12 weeks) Annual re-vaccination with a single dose is recommended.
or
Solo-Jec® 5
protects dogs against five diseases caused by Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus. It is a combination of antigenic and attenuated strains of Canine Distemper, Parainfluenza, CAV-2 and Parvovirus propagated in cell line tissue cultures. The liquid diluent is Parvovirus vaccine. This modified live vaccine can be administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Recommended for use in healthy dogs six weeks of age or older that are not exposed to Leptospira. Contains twenty-five 1 ml doses.
and
Bronchi-Shield® III
is recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs against diseases caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis), adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), parainfluenza, and bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough). All viruses in this vaccine are modified live versions of the virus. Recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs 8 weeks of age or older. Bi-Annual re-vaccination with a single dose is recommended.
Have more questions about caring for your new puppy? Visit our New Puppy Guide!