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Message
OT veterinarians. Puppy Vaccinations: What Shots Did You Choose and Why?
Posted on 3/23/25 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 3/23/25 at 1:38 pm
Hi everyone! I'm getting a new puppy in May (it's been a while since I had one), and I'm trying to make the best choices about vaccinations for her. I want to avoid over-vaccinating but still make sure she's fully protected.
I've been looking into the core vaccines like Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus-2), Parvovirus, Rabies, and DHPP (the combo vaccine).
I've also read about non-core vaccines like Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella, and Parainfluenza, which are recommended depending on the region or circumstances.
I'd love to hear your experiences. Did you follow your vet's advice on all vaccinations? Did you skip any? How did you decide which vaccines were necessary for your dog? Any tips or insights for a new puppy owner would be greatly appreciated!
This is what I have read as a guideline:
Core Vaccines
Distemper
Hepatitis (adenovirus-2)
Parvovirus
Rabies
DHPP (3-in-1 vaccine)
Non-Core Vaccines
Leptospirosis*
Lyme*
Bordetella (kennel cough)
Parainfluenza
*May be considered on a regional basis where there are diseases known to be a true risk
Not Recommended
Adenovirus-1
Coronavirus
Giardia
Crotalus atrox toxoid (rattlesnake)
Porphyromonas (periodontal disease)
3 weeks
Worming
6 weeks
Worming for the common parasites passed through the mother’s placenta and milk, fecal exam for coccidia, and combination of DHHP (distemper, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus)
9 weeks
Worming, DHHP
12 weeks
Possible worming, DHHP, possible rabies. Leptospirosis and Lyme if in endemic area. (The last two will need to be boosted in three weeks if given). Possible Bordetella (kennel cough) if puppy is going to be boarded or groomed frequently.
16 weeks
Possible DHHP, final fecal exam, and rabies if not done previously
I've been looking into the core vaccines like Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus-2), Parvovirus, Rabies, and DHPP (the combo vaccine).
I've also read about non-core vaccines like Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella, and Parainfluenza, which are recommended depending on the region or circumstances.
I'd love to hear your experiences. Did you follow your vet's advice on all vaccinations? Did you skip any? How did you decide which vaccines were necessary for your dog? Any tips or insights for a new puppy owner would be greatly appreciated!
This is what I have read as a guideline:
Core Vaccines
Distemper
Hepatitis (adenovirus-2)
Parvovirus
Rabies
DHPP (3-in-1 vaccine)
Non-Core Vaccines
Leptospirosis*
Lyme*
Bordetella (kennel cough)
Parainfluenza
*May be considered on a regional basis where there are diseases known to be a true risk
Not Recommended
Adenovirus-1
Coronavirus
Giardia
Crotalus atrox toxoid (rattlesnake)
Porphyromonas (periodontal disease)
3 weeks
Worming
6 weeks
Worming for the common parasites passed through the mother’s placenta and milk, fecal exam for coccidia, and combination of DHHP (distemper, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus)
9 weeks
Worming, DHHP
12 weeks
Possible worming, DHHP, possible rabies. Leptospirosis and Lyme if in endemic area. (The last two will need to be boosted in three weeks if given). Possible Bordetella (kennel cough) if puppy is going to be boarded or groomed frequently.
16 weeks
Possible DHHP, final fecal exam, and rabies if not done previously
This post was edited on 3/23/25 at 1:39 pm
13
Posted on 3/23/25 at 1:41 pm to Will Cover
Id have the exact same questions but don't the breeders usually handle all this?
Posted on 3/23/25 at 1:42 pm to Will Cover
Your dog’s gonna have super autism if you do all those
Posted on 3/23/25 at 1:44 pm to SirWinston
quote:
Id have the exact same questions but don't the breeders usually handle all this?
Yes, but only until about 7 or 8 weeks. This is usually the time frame that dogs can be weened from their mother and sold.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 1:58 pm to Will Cover
quote:
I want to avoid over-vaccinating but still make sure she's fully protected.
Who cares? It’s a dog.
Really depends on how much socialization you will be doing with the dog & boarding/doggy daycares.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:05 pm to JimTiger72
quote:
Who cares? It’s a dog.
It's a dog. It's a life. I will be her life-long companion friend.
quote:
Really depends on how much socialization you will be doing with the dog & boarding/doggy daycares.
Yes, I am very aware of how to train, provide structure and socialize a dog. My question was geared towards the puppy stages, particularly when dealing with vaccinations.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:07 pm to Will Cover
quote:
particularly when dealing with vaccinations.
Directly related to socialization & interaction with other dogs.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:23 pm to Will Cover
Vet here
DHPP combo shots for sure every 3 to 4 weeks between 7/8 weeks until 16 weeks so about 3 sets.
Rabies is done once when they are over 12 weeks of age. I recommend vaccinating for rabies on a separate visit at least two weeks from the other shots to minimize vaccine reaction risk.
Bordetella is non core but if you’re socializing with other dogs frequently or boarding or grooming it’s definitely recommended.
Lepto, Lyme etc really depends on region but AAHA (group that sets standards) released a comprehensive statement saying Lepto should be core for all dogs regardless of region. Most clinics will have the lepto included with the DHPP (DHPPL) and you’ll want to ask about this.
Their statement was released in October of 2024 if I remember correctly.
Core vaccines as a pup especially DHPP are crucial as I’ve seen too many dogs die of parvo and distemper which are very contagious and easy to get even from the environment not just direct transmission from another dog.
DHPP combo shots for sure every 3 to 4 weeks between 7/8 weeks until 16 weeks so about 3 sets.
Rabies is done once when they are over 12 weeks of age. I recommend vaccinating for rabies on a separate visit at least two weeks from the other shots to minimize vaccine reaction risk.
Bordetella is non core but if you’re socializing with other dogs frequently or boarding or grooming it’s definitely recommended.
Lepto, Lyme etc really depends on region but AAHA (group that sets standards) released a comprehensive statement saying Lepto should be core for all dogs regardless of region. Most clinics will have the lepto included with the DHPP (DHPPL) and you’ll want to ask about this.
Their statement was released in October of 2024 if I remember correctly.
Core vaccines as a pup especially DHPP are crucial as I’ve seen too many dogs die of parvo and distemper which are very contagious and easy to get even from the environment not just direct transmission from another dog.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:24 pm to U R TIGA B8
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:27 pm to Will Cover
Also you are correct on the not recommended vaccines. I’m in Vegas so I do some rattlesnake vaccines but not many. It’s mostly for those who hike frequently and encounter rattlers which are more prevalent there.
Lyme is recommended if you’re an outdoors type who takes your dog camping etc. If you’re on flea and tick preventative then you’re better protected but not completely.
It’s all about your lifestyle and what you plan to do with the dog.
If he’s a homebody you can probably get away with forgoing Lyme.
Lyme is recommended if you’re an outdoors type who takes your dog camping etc. If you’re on flea and tick preventative then you’re better protected but not completely.
It’s all about your lifestyle and what you plan to do with the dog.
If he’s a homebody you can probably get away with forgoing Lyme.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:29 pm to Will Cover
If you ever plan on boarding them they may have diff vaccines they want you to get to board.
Like some places you have to have the flu shots.
Like some places you have to have the flu shots.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:32 pm to JimTiger72
quote:
Directly related to socialization & interaction with other dogs.
This! And take honest inventory of what else your dog might be exposed to before going to talk to your vet.
Truth is: some vets will peddle vaccines just to pump out inventory and you need to be wary of this. An honest vet will take the time to ask you questions and have a conversation. You encounter some who don’t want you to ask too many questions and just do what they recommend.
A good vet will explain WHY certain things are recommended and it should ALWAYS be based on exposure.
But I will emphasize that regardless of exposure those core vaccines especially as a young pup are a must regardless and that’s not debatable.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:33 pm to dgnx6
quote:
Like some places you have to have the flu shots.
Our boarding facility requires influenza vaccine and Bordetella and fecal checks for parasites. We have seen outbreaks all over the US for bad bad influenza outbreaks that have killed dogs so this is pretty common.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:36 pm to Will Cover
GFY you commie vaxxer
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:39 pm to Will Cover
You forgot the Covid vaccine
Posted on 3/23/25 at 2:54 pm to Will Cover
Why wouldn't you just do what your vet says?
You seem like a nice enough fella, but it looks like you overthink everything...
JMO.
You seem like a nice enough fella, but it looks like you overthink everything...
JMO.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 3:29 pm to Will Cover
Using ChatGPT to type TD posts is weird
Posted on 3/23/25 at 3:38 pm to Will Cover
I have to board my dogs when I travel for work.
The boarding place and my vet have a pretty good racket going where I have to get whatever shots the boarding place demands.
The boarding place and my vet have a pretty good racket going where I have to get whatever shots the boarding place demands.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 3:53 pm to Will Cover
Just do what your vet says. Don’t over think it.
Dhlpp
Rabies
bord
Dewormer
Fecal after
Get lepto if you’re in the south especially Louisiana. Make sure to put your dog on heartworm and flea/tick treatment.
Dhlpp
Rabies
bord
Dewormer
Fecal after
Get lepto if you’re in the south especially Louisiana. Make sure to put your dog on heartworm and flea/tick treatment.
Posted on 3/23/25 at 3:57 pm to Sus-Scrofa
quote:
The boarding place and my vet have a pretty good racket going where I have to get whatever shots the boarding place demands.
Yeah it has nothing to do with how dogs interact, upper respiratory infections are airborne and can lead to pneumonia, certain things your dog can get from another dog are zoonotic, and others like rabies are required by law.
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