When you decide to adopt a puppy, there are many things you will have to do to ensure he or she is well cared for. This means ensuring they receive all necessary animal vaccines as well as being fed and loved every day. Below are the vaccinations your puppy should have administered in their first year of life.

5 Animal Vaccines Recommended for Puppies

1. Canine Distemper (CDV)

This vaccine protects your puppy from a very contagious, viral disease that can attack their digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems. This can lead to discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, twitching, diarrhea, seizures, paralysis, and death. Being vaccinated is the only way to actually protect your pup. The first shots should be given between six and eight weeks of age with follow-ups every three to four weeks until they reach 14 or 16 weeks old. 

2. Measles (MV)

While it is not a core animal vaccine, many pet owners still choose to have it administered to their puppies between six and 12 weeks of age. This is because it is supposed to cross-protect against distemper, especially if there are still maternally derived antibodies present in their system.

3. Canine Parainfluenza (CPiV)

The flu vaccine is also not a core vaccine for your puppy. However, as this is one of several diseases that are responsible for spreading kennel cough, it is recommended by most vets. Usually, it will be given alongside a core vaccine, like the CAV-2, but when the dog requires the intranasal form of the vaccine, it will always be given alongside the Bordetella vaccine.

4. DA2PP or DHPP

This multivalent vaccine is given to puppies starting at eight weeks of age. It protects against canine distemper, canine adenovirus type 2, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. These are all typical vaccines that young dogs are recommended to have. Instead of injecting puppies with multiple shots at each visit, this vaccine combines all of the above. It’s also important to note that the adenovirus type 2 cross-protects against the more pathogenic adenovirus type 1, also known as canine hepatitis. This is why you will sometimes see an H in place of the A2 when vets reference this vaccine.

5. Rabies

The rabies vaccine is legally mandated, but you must wait until your puppy is at least 12 weeks old. They must then be re-vaccinated each year from then on, unless they were administered the three-year vaccine. In this case, they will require the initial follow up a year later, but each dose will then need to be administered every three years.  

If you’ve recently brought home a new puppy, ensure their health is well taken care of by visiting Liberty Veterinary Hospital in Liberty Township, OH. They will break down everything you need to know about animal vaccines. For more information about dog medications, call them today at (513) 755-9700. You can also visit their website to learn more about their services.