Congratulations on welcoming your furry bundle of joy into your home! As pet owners ourselves, we know you want nothing more than to keep your new companion safe and healthy. Vaccines are an important step in this. They protect your puppy from harmful diseases and parasites. Plus, vaccines like the one against rabies are mandated by law. To learn more about our vaccination services here at Cobequid Animal Hospital, please call us at 902-865-8110 and one of our client care specialists will brief you on all things vaccines.
When should I vaccinate my puppy?
In their early years, canine friends should get their first set of vaccines at around 8-weeks-old. Afterwards, they should continue receiving vaccines periodically to stay protected even in their adult years. Below is our suggested vaccine schedule for puppies:
- 8 Weeks: Distemper, Parvovirus, Canine Hepatitis (Adenovirus Type 2)
- 12 Weeks: Distemper, Parvovirus, Canine Hepatitis (Adenovirus Type 2), Leptospirosis
- 16 Weeks: Distemper, Parvovirus, Canine Hepatitis (Adenovirus Type 2), Leptospirosis, Rabies, +/- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- NOTE: During the first annual exam one year after the puppy vaccine series (approximately 1.5 years of age) – your puppy will receive a booster of all puppy vaccines.
Vaccination Services for Dogs
To maintain your dog’s immunity against dangerous health conditions and parasites, it is absolutely vital they continue receiving vaccinations all throughout their life. Fortunately, the time in between injections is more spaced out during your pet’s adult years. Our team will ensure your pet stays on schedule and receives the right vaccines in their mature years.
How often should I get my dog vaccinated?
Although each pet is different, most vaccination schedules follow a format similar to the one shown below. At our hospital, we give a rotation of Core vaccines (Distemper+Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Rabies) which each last for three years. Leptospirosis is also a Core vaccine but is boosted more frequently once per year. At the time of their second annual exam (approx. 2.5 years of age), they will go into the rotation of:
- 1st Year: Distemper+ Adenovirus and Leptospirosis
- 2nd Year: Parvovirus and Leptospirosis
- 3rd Year: Rabies and Leptospirosis
Other optional yearly vaccines include Lyme disease and Bordetella (kennel cough).
How do I know which vaccines my pet needs?
All dogs are required to receive their Core vaccines that we mentioned above. The Rabies vaccine is particularly important because you are legally required to have your pet injected with it. Non-Core vaccines are those that are optional and recommended based on lifestyle. For example, we can administer the yearly Lyme disease and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines here at our hospital. Please call us and schedule an appointment to determine which optional vaccines will work best for your pet.
Titers
We offer in-clinic titer testing for Parvovirus, Distemper, and Adenovirus Type 2. Titers are a helpful tool if you want to avoid over-vaccination or if your pet has an immune-mediated disease where you cannot vaccinate.
Other vaccine titers are available as a send-away test. Please ask us for more information. Titers measure the concentration of antibodies in your dog’s system. Determining the level of concentration lets us know whether your dog requires that vaccine or not.