We suggest new puppy owners visit a veterinarian to examine their pet and establish a vaccine schedule. Today, our Torrance vets explain why those first puppy shots are important. We'll also share a puppy vaccination schedule to keep on hand.
Why Are Puppy Shots Important?
Just like the array of vaccines designed for use in people, vaccines for dogs in the Torrance area help to protect your pet from a wide range of serious, and potentially even fatal, conditions and diseases that can spread rapidly between unvaccinated dogs.
Although it might appear inconvenient and somewhat costly to make regular visits to your vet with your new puppy during their first year, ensuring your puppy receives their initial vaccinations and yearly updates are essential for safeguarding their health and ensuring a long, happy, and healthy life.
What Illnesses Will My Puppy's Vaccinations Address?
Vaccines in Torrance for puppies and adult dogs help prevent and lessen the severity of diseases like hepatitis, distemper, bordetella, rabies, and parvovirus.
Our veterinarians can suggest a vaccination regimen tailored to your puppy, considering factors such as your location, your dog's age, lifestyle, and other relevant considerations.
DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
This combination vaccine offers protection against canine distemper (D), infectious hepatitis/adenovirus (H) and parvovirus (P) in addition to parainfluenza (P). Vaccines for distemper, infectious hepatitis, and parvovirus are categorized as core vaccines. This means that every dog should receive these, regardless of location or lifestyle.
Bordetella
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacteria that causes inflammation in a dog's upper respiratory system that can lead to coughing and illness and expose your pup to secondary infections. You may hear most veterinarians call the disease kennel cough.
The Bordetella non-core vaccine is given to dogs that frequently spend time around other dogs in boarding, daycare centers, dog parks, shows and other social settings.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis, caused by leptospira bacteria commonly found in water and soil around lakes, streams, and rivers, is a disease that can transfer from animals to humans, making it zoonotic.
This ailment, which can be quite severe, may result in symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, appetite loss, lethargy, muscle tenderness, fever, shivering, and other flu-like indications. In the long term, it has the potential to inflict permanent damage on the kidneys or liver.
For dogs at an elevated risk of exposure, the non-core vaccine can be beneficial. Consult your veterinarian to determine if this vaccine is suitable for your dog, taking into account their lifestyle.
Rabies
The deadly rabies virus can have severely negative effects on the brain. Transmitted through contact with an animal's saliva, rabies is almost always fatal. Once symptoms of the deadly virus appear, dogs and other animals can usually be expected to die within a few days. There is no treatment for the virus, so the rabies shot is an important one to ensure your pet's health is protected. Our Torrance vets recommend the rabies vaccine as a core puppy vaccine.
Puppy Vaccination Chart
6 - 8 Weeks
- *DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) Shot 1
10 - 12 Weeks
- Booster: *DHPP Shot 2
- Bordetella (Optional)
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
14 - 16 Weeks
- Booster: *DHPP Shot 3
- Bordetella (Optional)
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
- Rabies
- Spay (female)
- Neuter (male)
12 to 16 Months
- Final Booster: *DHPP Shot
- Final Booster: Bordatella
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis
- Rabies
*DHPP: this vaccine protects your dog against a combination of illnesses: Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza.
Age Restrictions
Ask your vet to find out more about what vaccines are appropriate for your dog when they are still a puppy. Depending on your pet's age, their immune system may not be strong enough to effectively be boosted by all shots.
How Much Do Vaccines for Puppies Cost?
The cost of your dog's shots will depend on your puppy's health, age, lifestyle, and exposure risks. When you bring your puppy to our veterinarians in Torrance, they will thoroughly examine and recommend vaccinations tailored to your puppy's specific needs.
Remember that vaccinating your puppy is a wise long-term investment. Preventative care is more effective than treating conditions and diseases that can seriously harm your furry companion and shorten their lifespan. Feel free to discuss any questions or concerns about vaccinations with your vet. We are here to address any inquiries you may have.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.