Your new puppy will become familiar with other household pets and encounter more animals when out for walks. To protect their maturing immune system, your pup will need a series of puppy vaccines. To determine the shot schedule for your canine, below are a few points pet owners should know.  

Why Is Vaccinating Your Puppy Necessary?

Puppy vaccines are meant to protect your young dog from contracting numerous contagious diseases, including distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and rabies. The immunization process begins with a series of shots administered when the puppy is six to eight weeks old. The next rounds of shots are given three to four weeks apart, when the puppy is 16 weeks old. The shots are spaced out over several weeks to ensure your puppy’s developing immune system can create the necessary antibodies. To keep the immune system strong, your dog will need “booster” shots every one or three years. The schedule depends on local laws where you live and the type of vaccine. 

Generally speaking, puppy vaccines are not painful, and animals experience no side effects. However, as the vaccines prompt your puppy’s immune system to react by exposing it to different viruses, your pet might experience soreness or fever. If the symptoms don’t go away quickly, or your pet has swelling, diarrhea, respiratory problems, or loss of appetite, seek immediate medical attention. 

What Are the Contributing Factors to the Shot Schedule?

When determining the shot schedule and what non-core puppy vaccines your animal needs, a veterinarian will take your dog’s environment, health, and whether or not they were nursed (and for how long) into account. A puppy might have received antibodies in its mother’s colostrum. These antibodies would attack the antigens in the puppy vaccines. In this case, a veterinarian might give the puppy more shots over an extended period. This ensures the animal is protected from contracting contagious diseases while the antibodies provided by their mother fade.

For puppy vaccines, flea prevention, dental care, and other services to keep your canine healthy, contact the veterinarians at Lillian Veterinary Hospital in Alabama. For over 20 years, their team of professionals has used high-tech equipment to provide area pets with state-of-the-art treatment in a comfortable atmosphere. Pet boarding is also available to keep cuddly family members safe while you’re out of town. Learn more about the services online and call (251) 962-2304 for an appointment. Get tips to prepare on Facebook.