When it comes to pet care, vaccinations are essential. Vets across the country agree: Getting a round of puppy shots is the best way to ensure health and happiness for your dog. While the exact timing of the shots will vary from pup to pup and vet to vet, it's important you establish a vaccination schedule early on and stick to it.

Why Get Puppy Shots?

1. Preserve Great Health

Modern vaccinations are the best tool in your vet’s kit to keep your dog healthy throughout their lifespan. Before pet vaccines were developed, dogs frequently suffered from preventable diseases, such as hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and respiratory infections. In addition, rabies was a major danger to both dogs and humans. Modern vaccines protect your dog from these illnesses so your furry friend can live a long life by your side.

2. Supplement Natural Immunity

For young puppies who are nursing, the mother's milk provides antibodies for limited immunity to certain diseases. However, this doesn't cover everything; puppies can get parasites from their mother, for example. Meanwhile, the antibodies provided will wear off between six and 20 weeks of age, so it's vital to start administering puppy shots as soon as the pups are able to tolerate the treatment and to keep them isolated from possible disease carriers until they're fully immunized.

3. Ensure Healthy Growth

Puppyhood is a critical time in your dog’s life. If your canine becomes ill during this time, it can interfere with their normal growth patterns and leave them with lifelong problems. By protecting their health early, you ensure they’ll develop correctly.

Establishing a Schedule

To decide when your puppy should get their shots, talk to your vet. In general, the first DHPP shot should be administered at six to eight weeks of age, with a booster three to four weeks later. After that, your pooch will need quite a few other shots in its first six months of life and additional boosters until at least two years of age.

While this may seem like a lot of vaccinations, it's important to remember they're designed to keep your dog safe and healthy. Talk with your vet today to arrange your puppy shots.

Kapolei Pet Hospital provides compassionate veterinary medicine to pets across Oahu. From puppy shots to regular exams to care for your elderly animals, they are happy to welcome new patients and provide the best-quality care. To make an appointment, call (808) 462-8040, or review their services online.