Bringing a new puppy into your life is a joyous journey filled with love and responsibility. One of the most important responsibilities is adhering to a proper puppy vaccination schedule. This article will help you understand the vaccinations that are crucial for your puppy’s health and longevity.
The Importance of Puppy Vaccines
Puppy vaccinations are crucial because they help protect your young canine companions from a range of potentially deadly diseases. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to infections, and their immune systems need time to develop the ability to fight off these diseases. Vaccinations provide the necessary immune system boost to keep your puppy safe at a time where the antibodies given to them by their mother are wearing off. A structured puppy vaccination schedule is key to providing them with the necessary immunity during their formative months.
Core Vaccines at TCAP
Core vaccines are considered essential for all puppies. These vaccines protect against diseases that are widespread, highly contagious, and pose a significant threat to a puppy’s health. The three vaccines in TCAP’s puppy vaccine schedule are as follows:
- Rabies: Rabies is a fatal virus that can affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals. As such, it is possible for an infected pet to pass this on to humans.
- DAPPv: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DAPPv): Commonly called the “distemper shot,” this combination vaccine actually protects against five diseases: canine distemper, adenovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.
- Bordetella: Bordetella (commonly called “kennel cough”): The bordetella virus causes an extremely contagious upper respiratory infection.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Puppy vaccines are given in three rounds each 3-4 weeks apart from one another. Ideally, the first round should be given when a puppy is 6-8 weeks of age, boosted at 9-11 weeks of age, and boosted one final time 3-4 weeks later as close to 12 weeks as is possible). The puppy vaccine schedule and costs are illustrated below:
If you would like a discount on your puppy’s vaccines as well as a handy way to keep track of when to come in for all puppy vaccines, ask TCAP’s staff about our Puppy Vaccine Wellness Package. These wellness packages are designed to guide new pet owners through their pet’s first year of life and ensure they receive all essential services a puppy needs.
Record Keeping
Proper record keeping is an often overlooked part of pet ownership in the early stages of a pet’s life. Ensure that you keep accurate records of your puppy’s vaccinations. This helps you and the TCAP team ensure your puppy stays up-to-date on their shots and receives the appropriate boosters at the appropriate times.
Understanding and following a puppy vaccination schedule is vital for your new furry family member’s health. By ensuring that your puppy receives the appropriate vaccinations at the right times, you’re giving them the best chance for a healthy, happy life. To get started on your puppy’s vaccines, visit TCAP during one of our many convenient walk-in vaccine clinics: https://texasforthem.org/hours-locations/vaccinations/