Recommended Vaccines for Puppies

How important are vaccines for puppies? Very. So is the timing of them. When a puppy is growing inside of their mom they are receiving antibodies via their moms placenta. After they are born they continue to receive the antibodies via her milk. These antibodies are only provided thru the milk for approximately 48 hours after birth. The antibodies will then circulate through the blood stream for a number of weeks. However, the antibodies that are provided are only protection against what the mom has been vaccinated against.

It is extremely important to consult your vet immediately upon bringing a newborn into your life. Unfortunately, quite often we just do not know for sure what medical care a puppy’s mom may have been provided. Here are a few vaccines which the American Veterinary Medical Association consider Core and Non-Core for your puppy. Do some research and discuss with your vet.

Core Vaccines

These are considered to be essential for puppies whose family vaccination history is unknown. These vaccinations are protection against diseases considered to be very deadly. They are:

Distemper
Parvo
Rabies
Hepatitis

Non-Core Vaccines

There are also vaccines which are labeled Non-Core. While the diseases they protect against do not fall under the high mortality rate category, they should still be discussed with your vet. These include:

Corona virus
Bordetella – Kennel Cough
Lyme Disease
Canine Parainfluenza

There are certain timelines that are recommended for each vaccine. Suggestions range from six to eight weeks for the first. Additionally, a vaccine does not begin to work immediately upon injection. The antigens within the vaccination need to run their course through the puppy’s body. It can take up to at least five days for the immune system to process them. Another issue also depends upon your puppy’s immune system. Their immune system needs to function properly for the vaccine to process.

Pet Education provides additional information regarding recommended vaccines for your puppies. To keep your puppy happy and healthy, ensure you are working with your vet and staying up to date on their medical needs.