A Guide to Vaccinations For Your Dog Or Puppy

Bringing a new puppy into your home is an incredibly exciting time. There is so much for your new family member to explore, sniff and play with, which is certainly a learning process for you and your puppy. All these new experiences are part of a young dog’s development – and it’s your job to guide them and keep them safe and healthy as they explore.

Dog vaccinations are an essential part of preventative healthcare for growing pups. We’re going to cover off all the main points of puppy vaccinations, including:

  • When to start puppy vaccinations
  • Common dog immunisations
  • Diseases prevented by vaccinations
  • Adult dog vaccinations recommended by vets

Why should I vaccinate my puppy?

Puppy vaccinations help young dogs to fight off contagious diseases while their vulnerable immune system is still developing defences.

Plus, dog vaccinations continue to guard against preventable disease as your puppy becomes an adult dog. Their immune system is strengthened by the immunisations, which keeps your best friend, your family, and other dogs safeguarded against disease.

Puppy Vaccinations: Playing safely in the community

Growing dogs encounter a wide assortment of other dogs, animals, food, creepy crawlies and unfamiliar germs. As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to socialise your puppy safely. That means before you take them to the dog park, or the beach, or even for a walk around your neighbourhood, you should have completed the 3-month puppy vaccination schedule recommended by your vet.

Common Dog Diseases

Dogs are prone to sniff, eat or roll in things that smell interesting. This makes them vulnerable to a range of common diseases if they have not developed a strong immune system to fight off contagions.

Puppy vaccinations, and annual adult dog vaccinations, are targeted to protect these common preventable diseases.

Protecting Your Dog with Vaccinations

At Vetwest, we highly recommend protecting our pets the best we can. We recommend the C5 or 5 in 1 vaccination for dogs to give them the best chance at fighting off preventable diseases that can be picked up in the community. But also, to ensure that we’re helping make our local Perth community a safer place for all our canine friends by reducing the chances of spreading disease too.

At Vetwest, we recommend all dogs be vaccinated against the following common preventable diseases:

•    Canine distemper virus
•    Canine hepatitis (or adenovirus)
•    Canine parvovirus
•    Parainfluenza virus
•    Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Read more about common dog vaccinations here.

Puppy vaccination schedule

Dog vaccinations should begin by the time they are six weeks old. This initial immunisation schedule, which lasts for three months, helps them to develop a strong immune system into adulthood.

If you miss a vaccination appointment, or your puppy has fallen behind before you bring them home, then get in touch with us at the earliest opportunity to catch up on essential puppy immunisations.

Puppy vaccination schedule

1st vaccination

6 - 8 weeks of age

Includes core disease protection against:

  • Canine distemper virus
  • Canine hepatitis (or adenovirus)
  • Canine parvovirus

2nd vaccination
Final vaccination at Vetwest with our early finish program
(early finish program does not apply at all vet clinics)

10-12 weeks of age

Includes optimal 5 in 1 disease protection against:

  • Canine distemper virus
  • Canine hepatitis (or adenovirus)
  • Canine parvovirus
  • Parainfluenza virus
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Early finish vaccination program allows your puppy to safely start socialising earlier (and saves you some money)

3rd Vaccination
Not required at Vetwest. Final vaccination for the standard vaccination schedule

Check with your local vet

14-16 weeks of age

Final vaccination in the standard vaccination schedule:

  • Canine distemper virus
  • Canine hepatitis (or adenovirus)
  • Canine parvovirus
  • Parainfluenza virus
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Annual Vaccination
 

15 months of age

Includes optimal 5 in 1 disease protection against:

  • Canine distemper virus
  • Canine hepatitis (or adenovirus)
  • Canine parvovirus
  • Parainfluenza virus
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Vaccinations for adult dogs

Once your dog reaches adulthood (at age 1-2) they will need to receive a dog immunisation booster every 12 months for life. Usually, this is given at the same time each year. During your dog’s vaccination, the vet will also perform a full health check, making sure your dog is keeping well and also that they are fit and healthy to receive their vaccination.  

Regular dog immunisation boosters protect your pet – and your family – from spreadable disease so they have the best chance at living a long and happy life.

Vaccination Aftercare

Sometimes your puppy might be lethargic or lose their appetite for 24-48 hours after a puppy immunisation appointment. This is normal, so you should be prepared to keep an eye on them and provide a safe, comfortable space at home.  

If the signs continue for more than 2 days, or you are worried your pup might be experiencing an allergic reaction to dog vaccinations, then get in touch with Vetwest immediately for healthcare advice.  

 

Pet type(s): 
Dogs
Life stage(s): 
Young
Adult

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