Vaccines for Puppies & Dogs

Having a new puppy requires care that some pet owners aren’t familiar with. At Centennial Animal Hospital and Gravenhurst Veterinary Services, we have a puppy wellness program that makes pet ownership easier. This program is designed to provide information about your new pet’s nutrition, training, and preventative healthcare like vaccinations and deworming. Vaccines are a must to prevent your pet from catching deadly diseases.

What vaccines should my puppy/dog have?

At our hospitals, our team creates a customized vaccination plan for each patient. We recognize that a one-size fit all approach doesn’t address all the diseases that some pets are at risk of catching and could lead to over-vaccination for others. The law recommends that all puppies and dogs are vaccinated against Rabies, Distemper and Parvovirus. Depending on your pet, your veterinarian may also recommend they are vaccinated against Bordetella/Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis and Lyme disease.

When should my puppy/dog be vaccinated?

Puppies usually begin vaccination when they are 6 to 12-weeks-old. The puppy series continues until they are 3 or 4-months-old. Your veterinarian will recommend when your pet needs booster shots every 1-3 years as an adult. Your pet’s vaccines must be boosted as they need to have adequate immunity levels as they grow older.

How does my pet catch diseases?

The vaccines made for your pet protect them from diseases that spread easily and are very prevalent in their surroundings. Most viruses spread through air droplets, bites from infected animals, bites from ticks, and contact with fluid, feces, urine and body tissues. This is why it’s important to inform your veterinarian if your pet:

• Travels abroad
• Hunts prey
• Lives near or visits areas with tall grass/heavily wooded areas
• Frequently boards or visits dog parks with other pets