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If you’ve just gotten a new puppy, there are many things on your to-do list. Preparing your house, finding a vet and hiding your socks are just a few things you might need to do. There are lots of things that puppy owners have to worry about – and health issues down the line are a natural thing to be stressed over.
The good thing is that just like humans, puppies receive vaccines and shots to protect them from diseases and viruses. Getting your puppy their shots is a vital first step to giving their body the tools to stay healthy.
But which shots do you need to get? And at which stages do puppies get their various shots? It can be overwhelming to decipher just what your puppy needs for shots, so let’s break it down.
Similar to human shots, these injections contain antigens that bolster your puppy’s immune system and enable the body to fight off any diseases. By introducing a disease in a small amount to your puppy’s body, if it is ever exposed again, their body will know how to fight it off. Some diseases that shots protect your pup from can be fatal, so it is essential to keep your puppy on track to get all their vaccines.
The shots your puppy receives at their vet are crucial to their health and help them fight any possibly fatal diseases. Your vet will know what your pooch needs specifically, but it is good to know the core vaccines that all puppies should get.
These shots for your puppy are spaced out over the first year; some vaccinations require multiple shots.
The first set of shots your puppy will receive is better known as DHP or DAP, and it targets three diseases.
This round of shots includes the second round of DHP shots (listed above) and introduces a parainfluenza shot. Some vets will administer the parainfluenza at the 6-8 week mark, but that is dependent on your puppy and vet.
At this age, your puppy will receive DHP again and a parainfluenza shot. This core group of shots is also known as DHHP.
After your puppy hits the one-year mark, it will have received the first rounds of its core vaccines, and your vet will be administering the rest of the doses.
Your dog will need to keep up with their DHHP (Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, and Parainfluenza) shots every two years. Consult your vet to schedule these critical appointments.
In addition to up-keeping, the DHHP shots every one to two years; rabies shots must be renewed at least every three years. Your state’s laws often mandate this.
Other than the core vaccines, your vet may recommend additional vaccines depending on your dog’s breed, medical conditions, and geographical location. You can keep your puppy protected from other conditions with shots. Let’s talk about other possible vaccines or preventative medicines you might want to ask your vet about.
Any combination of these could be beneficial for your pup, so you should ask your vet if you feel as though you want to add these to the core vaccines.
Making sure your puppy gets all their shots will make them safer at the dog park, daycare, or a boarding facility. It will also protect them from fatal diseases that can pass between dogs or bacteria. These shots can be lifesaving and should be a top priority. With dog insurance plans provided by Spot, you can add on preventative care coverage for an extra cost. Based on the preventative care coverage option, you could get coverage for select vaccines and an annual wellness exam. Keep your puppy protected by staying up to date on their shots!
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Get pupdates from the pack.
Get pupdates from the pack.