Puppy vaccine

Puppy Vaccines: Protecting Your New Companion

Vaccinations are a crucial part of your puppy’s health care, protecting them from serious and potentially deadly diseases. At St. Clair East Animal Hospital, we follow the latest AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) guidelines to ensure your puppy gets the best start in life.

Canine Adenovirus-2 (CAV-2)

Prevents respiratory infections, including one cause of kennel cough.

Canine Parvovirus

Guards against the deadly parvovirus that affects the intestines, lymph nodes, and heart.

Distemper

Protects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems from this viral disease.

Rabies

Required by law, this vaccine prevents a fatal disease affecting the nervous system.

Recommended Vaccination Schedule

  •       8 Weeks: First combination vaccine (Distemper, CAV-2, Parvovirus).
  •       12 Weeks: Second combination vaccine.
  •       16 Weeks: Third combination vaccine.
  •       18 Weeks: Rabies vaccine.

Puppies must receive their vaccines on schedule to ensure effectiveness as maternal antibodies wane.

Non-Core Vaccines

Depending on your puppy’s lifestyle, additional vaccines may be recommended:

  •       Bordetella: Protects against kennel cough, ideal for social or boarded dogs.
  •       Lyme Disease: Prevents tick-borne bacterial illness affecting joints and organs.
  •       Leptospirosis: Guards against a bacterial infection transmitted through raccoon and rodent urine, affecting kidneys and liver.

Long-Term Protection

Once your puppy completes their initial series of vaccines, they’ll be well-protected for a year. However, it’s important to wait at least a week after their final vaccine before exposing them to public areas.