When to Give a Puppy Its Shots

History

• For many years, the standard advice for giving a puppy his shots was to give a combination vaccine (also called five-way or DHPPC) at six weeks of age. This vaccine was repeated every three or four weeks until the pup was four months old, then given annually as a "booster." Today, rabies shots are typically given between the ages of four to six months, and then every one to three years for life. State law tends to mandate the age and frequency of rabies vaccinations.

Effects

• Beginning in the 1990s, both pet owners and veterinarians started becoming aware of the potential dangers of over-vaccinating. Studies indicate allergies, vaccine-related cancers and immune-mediated diseases have been linked to frequent and unnecessary vaccines (see References.) Additionally, it is understood that puppy shots may well confer immunity for life, just as childhood shots do for people.

Types

• There are two types of vaccines. Core vaccines--covering parovirus, distemper, adenovirus-2 and rabies--are given to puppies and adult dogs as the situation and local laws mandate. Non-core vaccines--including shots to mitigate coronavirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis and kennel cough--are not essential and may only be needed in certain areas.

When to Give a Puppy Core Vaccinations

• Many vets still prefer to give core vaccinations (except for rabies) at six weeks of age. However, the puppies are usually protected via the mother's milk at that age and the shot will be effective in only 25 percent of pups. Some vets will wait until seven to nine weeks for the first shot, thinking that early vaccinations may not only be ineffective, they may be harmful. Usually the shots are boostered two or three more times at three- to four-week intervals.

  Some states mandate that puppies get their first rabies vaccination at three months of age, others at six months. Talk to your vet and comply with the law.

When to Give a Puppy Non-Core Vaccinations

• The need for non-core vaccinations will depend largely on where you live and your puppy's lifestyle. Many U.S. states, primarily in the southwest, have no reported incidences of Lyme disease, while in the northeastern states the disease is common. Ask your vet which non-core shots she recommends and why. If you have a puppy who will be exposed to many other dogs in obedience classes or doggie daycare, you may need the kennel-cough shot.

  Non-core vaccinations may be given in conjunction with the core vaccines, or at any time your dog may be at risk of exposure.

When to Give an Older Puppy Its Shots

• Say you get a healthy older puppy, about five months old, and you don't know whether he has had his shots. The most sensible recommendation is to give him the core vaccine shots just once, then booster those one year later.